It vs This
What’s the difference between them?
It
Meaning:
It is a pronoun used to refer to a person, place, thing, or idea that has already been mentioned or is understood in context.
Examples:
1. It was a difficult decision, but I ultimately decided to go.
2. It will be a long and difficult journey, but I'm ready to take it on.
3. It's been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your help.
This
Meaning:
This is a pronoun used to refer to a person, thing, or idea that has already been mentioned, or is about to be mentioned.
Examples:
1. This is a great opportunity for me to learn more.
2. I think this is the right decision.
3. This is the best way to solve the problem.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
It
1. That
2. The aforementioned
3. The one
1. Them
2. Us
3. Away
4. Beside
5. Opposite
This
1. The aforementioned
2. The one
3. The following
1. That
2. Away
3. Here
4. Far
5. The opposite
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "It", "This".
1. 'It' is a pronoun used to refer to a previously-mentioned object or concept.
2. 'This' is an adjective used to describe a noun that is close in proximity to the speaker.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the word 'it' be used?
'It' is a pronoun that can be used to refer to a thing that has already been mentioned, or to stand in for a noun which is yet to be mentioned. For example, 'I saw the cat yesterday. It was very cute.' It can also be used to refer to an abstract concept, such as 'It is raining.'
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'this'?
'This' is also a pronoun and is used to refer to something that is near the speaker, either physically or in a metaphorical sense. For example, 'This book is very interesting' or 'This is the best decision I’ve made all year.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, it is pronounced as /it/, while this is pronuonced as /ðɪs/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake is confusing the two words. The difference between them is that 'it' is used to refer to something that has already been mentioned or is yet to be mentioned, whereas 'this' is used to refer to something that is near the speaker. Additionally, 'it' is often used incorrectly when referring to people. People should use 'he', 'she', or 'they' when referring to a person.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. _______ is a great way to learn.
2. Please accept _______ as a token of our appreciation.
3. We have to remember _______ when we make decisions.
4. _______ will help make the process easier.
5. _______ makes a great addition to any room in the house.
6. Im not sure what to make of _______.
1. This is a great way to learn.
Explanation: This is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the activity of learning.
2. Please accept this as a token of our appreciation.
Explanation: This is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the token of appreciation being offered.
3. We have to remember it when we make decisions.
Explanation: It is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the previous statement regarding the need to remember when making decisions.
4. This will help make the process easier.
Explanation: This is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the activity of making the process easier.
5. It makes a great addition to any room in the house.
Explanation: It is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the addition being made to the room.
6. Im not sure what to make of this.
Explanation: This is a pronoun that is used to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned or is known. In this context, it is referring to the uncertain situation that has been mentioned.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
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.