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Use of 'it' and 'this'

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Improving English Writing Skills
We often use 'it' and 'this' interchangably. For example- This is good. It is good. \
What is the difference between 'it' and 'this' ? Is there any difference even if very small and subtle. Hope esteemed users will clarify. Thanks
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U
There are a number of differences, but begin by considering these basic comments.

'It' refers to a thing. The thing must have been already mentioned.
eg Have you seen the painting called the Mona Lisa? It is beautiful.

'This' refers to a thing that is near to the speaker. Often, I can point to the thing.
eg Look at this. (And I point to a statue that is in the room with us.)
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U
Sir, We say- It is raining or it is hot today. Can we also say- This is raining or this is hot.
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U
No, i suppose not because we do not treat 'climate' as a thing. only sort of abstract noun like 'love'
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U
Thank you Sridevi. so your view is that 'it' refers to abstract nouns like love, weather etc. and 'this' refers to things.
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U

It refers or covers a larger volume and this is more pin pointing .

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U

thanks for sharing above information. Some where I read that 'than' and 'then' is different meaning. Plz tell me about it.

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U
This and It are two words that are definitely used with some difference between them. The word ‘this’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun whereas the word ‘it’ is used as a personal pronoun.
The word ‘this’ is used to demonstrate a noun that has already been uttered or used in a sentence. Look at the sentences
1. This looks a good one
2. I am ready to buy this.
In both the sentences mentioned above the word ‘this’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun. In the first sentence the word ‘this’ may refer to a flower, a book or any other object that was already used once in a sentence.
In the second sentence the word ‘this’ may refer to a toy, a book or an ornament that was already mentioned in a sentence uttered before the present sentence.
The same sentences mentioned can be uttered completely as follows:
1. This flower looks the good one.
2. I am ready to buy this book.
Here again the word ‘this’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun.
The word ‘it’ is used mainly as a personal pronoun in the third person. The word ‘it’ is used in the same way as we use ‘he’ and ‘she’ as in the sentences
1. He looked at it with wonder.
2. He gesticulated at it to keep quiet.
Here the word ‘it’ is used in the third person as a personal pronoun referring to an animal such as a dog. It is interesting to note that the word ‘it’ is used in exclamation too as in the sentence, “How beautiful it is!”

It is equally interesting to note that the word ‘this’ is used in affirmative sentences too as in the “This is the answer”. The words ‘it’ and ‘this’ are to be used with great care and precision.

This was the link given by Usha

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U

So why are yo copy pasting the link given by me simply because you have nothing to add...

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U

I have Copied. But i acknowledged to you.for Anil

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U

I am sure anil is sensible enough to go through the link article and has already thanked me for sharing it ..as usual without properly reading anils post you jumped in...please read beow to know exactly what anil has written..

thanks for sharing above information. Some where I read that 'than' and 'then' is different meaning. Plz tell me about it.

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Gulshan Kumar Ajmani

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Created Sunday, 29 November 2009 15:08
Last Updated Tuesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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