Lesson 3: Errors with “It”

In today’s lesson, you’ll learn three common mistakes with the word “it.” It’s a
tiny word, but it often causes problems for English learners. Let’s jump in.

Error #6
Don’t say:

• I just bought a new computer. Was on sale.

Say:

• I just bought a new computer. It was on sale.

Every sentence in English needs a subject. In the second sentence, we need to say
“It was on sale” – the word “it” functions as the subject, referring to the new
computer.

We also use “it” as the subject with weather and time:

● Is raining.
It’s raining.
● Is cold today.
It’s cold today.
● Is five o’clock.
“It’s five o’clock.

“It” is also used as the subject in phrases like it’s late, it’s important, it’s good, it’s
nice, it’s a shame, it’s impossible, etc:

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net
 ● It’s late - we should go to bed.
● It’s important to wear your seatbelt in the car.
● It’s good that you’re exercising every day.
● It’s nice to see you again!
● It’s a shame that the picnic was canceled.
● It’s impossible to become fluent in English in a week.

Error #7
Don’t say:

● “What did you do with the document?”

“I sent to your secretary.”
● “Where’s my jacket?”
“I put in the closet.”

Say:

● “I sent it to your secretary.”

● “I put it in the closet.”

Some verbs in English require a direct object. In these sentences, the main verbs –
sent and put – need a direct object, so we need to use the word “it” in place of
the specific name of the object (the document / the jacket).

We could simply say the name of the object again - “I sent the document to your
secretary” or “I put your jacket in the closet” - but because the object has been
mentioned recently, it’s easier and shorter to say “I sent it” and “I put it.”

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net
Here are some more examples of using “it” as the direct object, when we have
already mentioned the object recently:

● That glass is fragile; please don’t break it.

● If you have a soccer ball, you should bring it to the park.
● Nobody wanted the last piece of pizza, so I took it.
● I sent her a message but I don’t know if she got it. (got = received)

We use “it” for a singular direct object; if we are referring to multiple objects,
then we would use “them”:

● Those glasses are fragile; please don’t break them.

● I sent her some flowers but I don’t know if she got them.
● Where are my keys?
I put them on the table.

Error #8
Don’t say:

● This food it’s not very good.

● The best part about English class it’s that we play a lot of games.

Say:

● This food is not very good.

● The best part about English class is that we play a lot of games.

As we saw a few minutes ago, we can use “it” to replace the subject when we’re
replying to another person, or adding another clause or phrase about the object
that was already mentioned. However, we do not use “it” immediately after the
subject.

We could use “it” if we added a second clause to the sentence:

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net
 ● This food is not very good, but I’ll eat it anyway.

Now the word “it” in the second part of the sentence refers back to “the food” in
the first part of the sentence.

I hope this lesson has helped you understand when you should and shouldn’t use
the word “it.” Make sure to take the quiz to practice and review, and I’ll see you
in the next video.

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net
Quiz – Lesson 3
Mark each sentence as correct or incorrect, and fix any mistakes.

1. Do you like pizza?

Yes, is delicious!
2. Is the bank open today?
I'm not sure. It's usually closed on the weekends.
3. My favorite place in New York it’s Central Park.
4. I don't think is a good idea to cut class.
5. Is very important to practice English every day.
6. My car is broken. It's currently at the mechanic.
7. It's great that you got a promotion!
8. My goal for the New Year is to lose weight.
9. I had an extra hat, so I gave to my friend.
10. Her new haircut it's so beautiful.
11. This cake is amazing. Did you make it yourself?
12. Do you want a dictionary to help you understand the book?
No thanks, I don't need.

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net
Answers – Quiz – Lesson 3
1. Incorrect (Correct: Yes, it's delicious!)

2. Correct

3. Incorrect (Correct: My favorite place in New York is Central Park)

4. Incorrect (Correct: I don't think it's a good idea to cut class)

5. Incorrect (Correct: It's very important to practice English every day)

6. Correct

7. Correct

8. Correct

9. Incorrect (Correct: I had an extra hat, so I gave it to my friend)

10. Incorrect (Correct: Her new haircut is so beautiful)

11. Correct

12. Incorrect (Correct: No thanks, I don't need it)

© Shayna Oliveira 2019

www.espressoenglish.net