Today’s topic:
What’s wrong with “it” and “they”?
Introduction True, “it” and “they” are some of the most common words in the English language. But use them wisely, for “it” alone can be either a subject, object, determiner, predicative complement (and even a “dummy pronoun”). For reference, see Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_(pronoun). Here are some examples:
Before:
“At this stage, they want to save it so it is not endangered.”
A sentence seen in a magazine (subject changed).
After revision:
“At this stage, people want to save the butterfly so the insect is not endangered.”
Explanation The example in the left box has two “it” words (and a “they”). This is confusing. Even if you know the context, a reader will lose track of what you mean. But if you change “they” and “it” into words with more substance (as in the box on the right), the reader will be able to understand more clearly.
.
Using “it” for emphasis:
Compare the two sentence below:
1. In 1973 we experienced a change in attitude towards sea turtles when Congress passed the Endangered Species Act.
2. It was in 1973 that Congress passed the Endangered Species Act and we experienced a change in attitude towards sea turtles.
Explanation: Which sentence above is clearer? In Sentence #2 the words “it was” are used to emphasize a topic. In grammar-speak using “it” to emphasize a topic is called an It-shift, a syntactic device. Concept taken from the book, Style – Ten Lessons in Clarity, by Joseph M. Williams.
Using “it” as subject:
Compare the two sentence below:
1. That California quails eat berries, insects, and roots is a known fact.
2. It is a known fact that California quails eat berries, insects, and roots.
Explanation: Which sentence above is clearer? In Sentence #2 the word “it” is used as a subject. Sentence #2 avoids the long introductory clause seen in Sentence #1 (“that quails eat berries and roots…”). Using “it” as a subject, in grammar-speak, is called an It-shift, a syntactic device. Concept taken from the book, Style – Ten Lessons in Clarity, by Joseph M. Williams.
| Credits: |
| “Close-up of a Monarch Butterfly perched on a green leaf in sunlight,” by Andy Staver / pexels |
| “Tiny sea turtle making its way to the ocean on a Puerto Rican beach,” by Jolo Diaz |
| “Female and Chick Quails” California State Bird (Callipepla Californica) – Author Alan Vernon; Uploaded by Snowmanradio (USA) Located at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callipepla_californica_-California,USA-female_and_chick-_8.jpg “A baby sea turtle makes its way to the ocean on a sunny beach day,” by Atlantic Ambience / Pexels “A close-up shot of pheasants in a field with dry grass. Wildlife photography at its best,” by Denitsa Kireva |
| “Style – Ten Lessons in Clarity,” by Joseph M. Williams (5th edition), Published by Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, 1997. |
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