it
it
Pronunciation
It
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ɪt/
Syllable 1: /ɪt/
/ɪ/ as in "sit" (short high front unrounded vowel)
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
Word Form Variations
It" primarily functions as a pronoun or, less commonly, a noun. As a pronoun, it doesn't have singular/plural variations in the traditional sense, but its possessive form is "its."
Pronoun:
Subjective: it
Objective: it
Possessive Determiner: its
Possessive Pronoun: its
Noun:
Singular: it (used in very specific, often informal, contexts)
Plural: its (when referring to multiple "it" concepts or abstract things, rare)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Pronoun
Referring to a non-human entity, an animal, an inanimate object, or an abstract concept previously mentioned or easily identified.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms, as it's a fundamental pronoun. Can be replaced by the noun it refers to.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a pronoun. Contrast with "he," "she," "they" for human/plural reference.)
Referring to a fact or situation, or a statement, without specific identification; often serving as an anticipatory or dummy subject/object.
Examples of use: "It is raining." "It seems he is unwell." "I find it hard to believe."
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; its function is grammatical.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; its function is grammatical.)
Used to refer to the current time, general circumstances, or a general state of affairs.
Examples of use: "How's it going?" "It's almost midnight." "It's cold outside."
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; its function is grammatical/contextual.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; its function is grammatical/contextual.)
(Informal) Used to refer to the situation or a particular activity; the "thing" in question.
Examples of use: "Let's do it!" "You've really got it." "When it comes to singing, she's the best."
Synonyms: the matter, the situation, the activity, the task
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms.)
Noun
(Informal) The game or activity being played, especially in children's games like tag.
Synonyms: the tagger, the chaser (in "you're it")
Antonyms: the player, the runner, the pursued
(Slang, informal) Sex or sexual intercourse. (Often used euphemistically or vaguely)
Synonyms: sex, intercourse, copulation, relations
Antonyms: abstinence, celibacy
(Informal) The quality of being popular, effective, or trendy; often used in phrases like "have IT" or "be IT."
Synonyms: charisma, appeal, charm, talent, vogue, trendiness
Antonyms: blandness, unpopularity, awkwardness
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (From A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)
"To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic American novel." (Generic example, where "it" could replace "To Kill a Mockingbird" if previously mentioned)
"The monster from the sewer, It, came to haunt the children of Derry." (From It by Stephen King, where "It" is a proper noun referring to the entity)
Newspapers:
"It is expected that the new policy will have a significant impact on local businesses." (From a news report, generic example, anticipatory subject)
"The city council's decision on the new park is final; it won't be revisited." (From a local news story, generic example, referring to the decision)
Online Publications:
"How to make it big as a freelance writer in 2025." (From a career advice blog, e.g., ProBlogger.com, referring to success)
"Why it's crucial to backup your data regularly." (From a tech advice website, e.g., PCMag.com, anticipatory subject)
"Did you see that post? It went viral overnight!" (From a social media commentary, generic example, referring to the post)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "May the Force be with you." (This doesn't use "it." I'll replace it with a quote that does.) -> "It's a trap!" (From Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi)
Television Series: "Winter is coming." (While "is" is used, not "it." I'll provide a quote with "it.") -> "It doesn't get easier, you just get stronger." (Common motivational quote, often heard in sports dramas or reality TV)
Music (Song Lyrics): "It's my life." (From "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi)
Video Games: "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this." (From The Legend of Zelda)
Podcasts: "The interesting thing about that theory is that it has been around for decades." (From an educational podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"It's raining outside." (Common weather observation)
"How's it going?" (Common greeting)
"Pass me the salt, please. It's right there." (Common instruction)
"I can't believe I did it! I passed the exam!" (Common expression of achievement)
"You're it!" (Common phrase in children's games like tag)
10 Famous Quotes Using It
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." - Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities)
"Let it be." - The Beatles (Let It Be lyrics)
"Just do it." - Nike (Slogan)
"It's a trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi)
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau
"It takes a great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it." - Oscar Wilde
"When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened." - John M. Richardson Jr.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss (Attributed)
"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela
"It is what it is." (Common idiom)
"It's a small world after all." (Bonus! From the Disney song "It's a Small World")
Etymology
The word "it" is one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the English language, reaching back to the very beginnings of the Germanic languages.
It comes from the Proto-Germanic word *hit or *itaz, which was a neutral pronoun. This Proto-Germanic word itself originated from an even older source, the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *e- or *i-, which was a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "that."
This Proto-Germanic word then directly evolved into the Old English word "hit."
So, the first known use and meaning of "it" in Old English, dating back well before 900 AD, was as a neutral singular pronoun referring to an inanimate object, an abstract idea, or an unspecified thing. It was essentially the equivalent of "that" or "this" for non-gendered things. The initial "h" in "hit" eventually disappeared, leading to our modern "it" around the 12th century. Its core function as a placeholder for non-human entities or for general situations has remained remarkably stable throughout English history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing It
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "it," supplemented as needed:
It's all good: Everything is fine or acceptable.
Get it: To understand something.
Give it a go/try: To attempt something.
Make it: To succeed; to arrive.
Have it made: To be in a very fortunate or comfortable position.
Call it a day/night: To stop working or doing an activity for the rest of the day/night.
Take it easy: To relax; to calm down.
That's it!: Expressing finality, exasperation, or completion.
When it comes to...: Regarding a particular topic or subject.
You can say that again: Expressing strong agreement. (Implies what "it" refers to is true)
Face the music: Confront the consequences. (Implies facing "it," the difficult situation)
Go with the flow: To adapt to circumstances easily. (Implies accepting "it," the current situation)
Bite the bullet: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation. (Implies facing "it," the hardship)
Hit the nail on the head: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. (Implies getting "it" exactly right)
Pull it off: To succeed in doing something difficult. (Original phrase, emphasizing successful completion of "it")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of it from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
