When should I use 'it,' 'this,' or 'that' to refer to an idea in writing?
I'm having trouble knowing which pronoun to use when talking about ideas in my essays. For example, after I write a statement like, "The weather is getting warmer each year," should I say, "It means that summers will be hotter," or should I use "this" or "that" instead? Sometimes I see people write, "This means that..." or "That means that..." and I'm not sure which one is correct.
Is there a difference in meaning or usage between "it," "this," and "that" when I want to refer back to an idea or a previous sentence? Any tips for making my writing clearer would be appreciated!
Context:
Academic writing, intermediate learner
What to Know
| Question You Likely Still Have | Direct Answer | How To Apply It |
|---|---|---|
| What is the core rule for 'it,' 'this,' or 'that' to refer to an idea in writing? | (Here, 'that' refers to the action, but feels a bit more distant.) Practice Tip: After you write a statement, ask yourself: Am I referring to a specific noun (use 'it'), or am I p… | A helpful way to choose between 'it,' 'this,' and 'that' is to apply these pronoun patterns: 'It' refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier. |
| How do I apply 'it,' 'this,' or 'that' to refer to an idea in writing in a sentence like mine? | A helpful way to choose between 'it,' 'this,' and 'that' is to apply these pronoun patterns: 'It' refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier. | (Here, 'this' = the entire previous idea – the increase and its immediate impact.) The government increased taxes last year. |
| What mistakes should I avoid with 'it,' 'this,' or 'that' to refer to an idea in writing? | Does the pronoun clearly refer to the intended noun or idea? | If the reference is more general or feels farther away (perhaps a few sentences back), 'that' can be appropriate. |
3 Answers
A helpful way to choose between 'it,' 'this,' and 'that' is to apply these pronoun patterns:
- 'It' refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier.
- Used when the noun is clear and concrete.
- 'This' points to an idea or statement just introduced.
- Used to highlight or emphasize the previous sentence or concept.
- 'That' can refer to something mentioned earlier but often feels more distant in tone or position.
- Can signal contrast or draw attention back to something earlier in the text.
Example Contrast:
- The government increased taxes last year. It was a controversial decision.
(Here, 'it' = 'the government's decision to increase taxes'; the noun is clear.) - The government increased taxes last year. This caused significant public debate.
(Here, 'this' = the entire previous idea – the increase and its immediate impact.) - The government increased taxes last year. That led many to protest.
(Here, 'that' refers to the action, but feels a bit more distant.)
Practice Tip:
After you write a statement, ask yourself: Am I referring to a specific noun (use 'it'), or am I pointing to the whole idea I just explained (use 'this')? If the reference is more general or feels farther away (perhaps a few sentences back), 'that' can be appropriate.
Self-Check:
Underline the pronoun ('it,' 'this,' or 'that') in your draft, then re-read the previous sentences. Does the pronoun clearly refer to the intended noun or idea? If not, revise for clarity.
When referring to ideas in your writing, compare how each pronoun functions:
- 'It' usually replaces a single, concrete noun.
- 'This' refers to a recent idea or action, adding emphasis or introducing commentary.
- 'That' often pulls back to an earlier point and can indicate a shift or contrast.
Example Comparison:
- The city passed new recycling laws. It hopes to reduce waste.
('It' refers specifically to the city.) - The city passed new recycling laws. This is expected to reduce waste.
('This' refers to the action of passing the laws – the whole preceding idea.) - The city passed new recycling laws. That was a major change for residents.
('That' points to the earlier event, perhaps with more distance or emphasis.)
Practice Suggestion:
Try rewriting a sentence after stating an idea using each pronoun. Notice which clarifies your meaning best. For example: "Students study online more frequently. ___ improves flexibility."
- Which pronoun defines your message most precisely?
Self-Editing Tip:
After each pronoun, check what it refers to: a specific noun ('it'), a recent entire idea ('this'), or something a bit further back or different ('that'). Adjust if the meaning isn’t clear.
Understanding your context helps decide between 'it,' 'this,' and 'that.'
- Use 'it' when your subject is a noun that needs a direct pronoun.
- Use 'this' when you want to emphasize the previous idea or explain its importance.
- Use 'that' for ideas that are less immediate or when drawing attention to a previous, possibly more distant, point.
Examples:
- Many people are working remotely. It is becoming the norm.
('It' = 'working remotely' as a direct noun phrase.) - Many people are working remotely. This offers new opportunities for work-life balance.
('This' = the whole idea about remote work, adding commentary.) - The company adopted strict policies last year. That surprised many employees.
('That' refers back to an earlier, less immediate event, with some distance.)
Quick Practice:
After each main point in your paragraph, try using 'this' or 'that' in your next sentence, then reread. Do you feel the connection is clear, or is it confusing? Switch the pronoun if the reference doesn’t make sense.
Correction Tip:
Circle pronouns in your draft and double-check—are they connecting to a recent idea, a noun, or something further back? Change them as needed for precision.
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