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Heralding Heretic Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Use of it
Greetings,
This is more of a general question. I just came across a site that claims it is bad to over use 'it'. While I see the point they make in their examples, I wonder when it is condonable. They try to convey the impression that 'it' should be avoided at all costs, but then it can become really clumsy, no? For example in the following example:
I wrote a book. It is 200 pages long, and it contains 80 000 words. It took me two years to finish it.
in disregard of the sentences' quality and just focusing on the use of 'it', can I assume that the only avoidable use of it is in the beginning of the third sentence?
This is more of a general question. I just came across a site that claims it is bad to over use 'it'. While I see the point they make in their examples, I wonder when it is condonable. They try to convey the impression that 'it' should be avoided at all costs, but then it can become really clumsy, no? For example in the following example:
I wrote a book. It is 200 pages long, and it contains 80 000 words. It took me two years to finish it.
in disregard of the sentences' quality and just focusing on the use of 'it', can I assume that the only avoidable use of it is in the beginning of the third sentence?
Top answer
Heralding Heretic can I assume that the only avoidable use of it is in the beginning of the third sentence? No. I wrote a book which is is 200 pages long and contains 80 000 words.
- Heralding Heretic can I assume that the only avoidable use of it is in the beginning of the third sentence?
- No.
- I wrote a book which is is 200 pages long and contains 80 000 words.
- It took me two years to finish.
- There are other possibilities, but that shows one way of avoiding some it s.
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4 Answers
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Heralding Hereticcan I assume that the only avoidable use of it is in the beginning of the third sentence?No.
I wrote a book which is is 200 pages long and contains 80 000 words. It took me two years to finish.
There are other possibilities, but that shows one way of avoiding some its.
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Thank you for replying.
I see what you mean, but it was just a short example. I was wondering more about it in the context of a paragraph, when there are other sentences in-between.
Also, you make a valid point in my example, but when extrapolating it to longer sentences, is it still advisable? Isn't it better to use it than to end up with really long sentences?
I see what you mean, but it was just a short example. I was wondering more about it in the context of a paragraph, when there are other sentences in-between.
Also, you make a valid point in my example, but when extrapolating it to longer sentences, is it still advisable? Isn't it better to use it than to end up with really long sentences?
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Heralding HereticIsn't it better to use it than to end up with really long sentences?Web sites will promote or say anything, even if it is pure nonsense.
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good point.
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