0
Taka Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Please check the style
Today, people might think that the most important thing in their life is science. However, if you
look at it closely, you will find that people are actually influenced by many superstitions.
Can the 'it' here work as the reference of 'their life'?
look at it closely, you will find that people are actually influenced by many superstitions.
Can the 'it' here work as the reference of 'their life'?
Top answer
"
- "
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
14 Answers
0
look at it closely
means
look at the matter/subject under discussion
which is whatever you figure it to be
means
look at the matter/subject under discussion
which is whatever you figure it to be
00
MH,
Actually, it's my composition. So, you don't think 'their life', or the reality, can be the referent?
Actually, it's my composition. So, you don't think 'their life', or the reality, can be the referent?
00
0
Marius HancuThe composition is fine and clear to me.Thank you, but my question is whether 'it' can work as the reference of 'their life'. I mean, this is supposed to be a translation of Japanese into English. And the original sentence is actually:
Today, people might think that the most important thing in their life is science. However, if
00
I agree with Marius's earlier comment that it stands for the matter/subject under discussion. I wouldn't take it as meaning if you look at their life. 'It' is often used in a very vague/general way.
00
I think you could use here any of the:
look at the reality/their life as it is/this issue/this matter/it
depending on your needs in terms of variety and compactness.
But look at it has the idiomatic usage emphasized in the above.
look at the reality/their life as it is/this issue/this matter/it
depending on your needs in terms of variety and compactness.
But look at it has the idiomatic usage emphasized in the above.
00
Nona The BritI agree with Marius's earlier comment that it stands for the matter/subject under discussion.Hmm...so the matter/subject under discussion here is going to be the fact that people might think that the most important thing in their life is science? Is that going to be the referent, nona?
00
Not really. It doesn't exactly directly refer to anything here. If you replace 'it' with 'things' you'll get the same meaning - a general look at 'something'.
It – indicating a point of view
Prounoun used to indicate feelings or a viewpoint on a particular situation eg 'It’s strange how things turn out'.
It – indicating a point of view
Prounoun used to indicate feelings or a viewpoint on a particular situation eg 'It’s strange how things turn out'.
00
Nona The BritNot really. It doesn't exactly directly refer to anything here. If you replace 'it' with 'things' you'll get the same meaning - a general look at 'something'.So, it's close to 'things in general' or something?
I'm getting confused...
00
Well, there's an idiomatic use of "look at it" - and the "it" is NOT defined. As Nona says, "look at it" could be replaced by "look at things," which can also be thought of as "considering things in general."
It doesn't HAVE to read that way, but it's what we are likely to see first, without a different lead in. For example, if you say "The child was looking at the buttefly wing under his
It doesn't HAVE to read that way, but it's what we are likely to see first, without a different lead in. For example, if you say "The child was looking at the buttefly wing under his
0
Related Questions