It vs They
What’s the difference between them?
It
Meaning:
It is a pronoun used as a substitute for a specific noun or noun phrase, often to avoid repeating the same noun.
Examples:
1. It was such a beautiful day that we decided to go for a walk.
2. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I was determined to do it.
3. It was love at first sight when I saw him across the room.
They
Meaning:
They is a pronoun that is used to refer to a group of two or more people or things.
Examples:
1. They came to the party together.
2. They always shared their secrets with each other.
3. They were the best of friends.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
It
1. He
2. She
3. That one
4. This one
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
They
1. People
2. Group
3. Community
4. They all
we
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "It", "They".
1. 'It' is used for a single object or person.
2. 'They' is used for multiple objects or people.
3. A helpful mnemonic phrase to remember the difference between 'it' and 'they' is 'It is one, They are many.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the word 'it' be used?
'It' can be used as a pronoun to refer to a person, place, thing, idea, quality, or activity. It can also be used to refer to a time, such as in the expression 'it is five o’clock'.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'they'?
'They' is used to refer to two or more people or things. It can also be used when the gender of the person being referred to is unknown or when referring to a group of people who don’t fit into a single gender category.
Do the words 'it' and 'they' share the same pronunciation?
No, they do not. 'It' is pronounced as /ɪt/, while 'they' is pronounced as /ðeɪ/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is confusing 'it' and 'they' when referring to a single person. For example, when referring to a singular person, one should use the pronoun 'it' rather than 'they'. Additionally, people may confuse 'it' and 'they' when referring to a group of people. In this case, one should use 'they' to refer to the group.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. _______ went to the store to buy groceries.
2. _______ dont know the answer to the question.
3. ______ have been to that restaurant many times.
4. _______ can do anything if you put your mind to it.
5. We dont have enough money for _______ to go on vacation.
6. _______ have to be at the meeting by 10am.
1. They
Explanation: They is used in this sentence to indicate a group of people.
2. They
Explanation: They is used as a collective pronoun to refer to the group of people in general.
3. It
Explanation: It is used here to refer to the restaurant, as it is a physical location rather than a person.
4. It
Explanation: It is used here to refer to the concept of achieving any goal, as it is an idea rather than a person.
5. It
Explanation: It is used here to refer to the group of people going on vacation, as it indicates a collective entity rather than a single person.
6. They
Explanation: They is used as a collective pronoun to refer to the group attending the meeting.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.