/ ɪt; NAmE / pronoun (used as the subject or object of a verb or after a preposition)
1.
used to refer to an animal or a thing that has already been mentioned or that is being talked about now :
'Where's your car?' 'It's in the garage.'
Did you see it?
Start a new file and put this letter in it.
Look! It's going up that tree.
We have $500. Will it be enough for a deposit?
2.
used to refer to a baby, especially one whose sex is not known :
Her baby's due next month. She hopes it will be a boy.
3.
used to refer to a fact or situation that is already known or happening :
When the factory closes, it will mean 500 people losing their jobs.
Yes, I was at home on Sunday. What about it? (= Why do you ask?)
Stop it, you're hurting me!
4.
used to identify a person :
It's your mother on the phone.
Hello, Peter, it's Mike here.
Hi, it's me!
Was it you who put these books on my desk?
5.
used in the position of the subject or object of a verb when the real subject or object is at the end of the sentence :
Does it matter what colour it is?
It's impossible to get there in time.
It's no use shouting.
She finds it boring at home.
It appears that the two leaders are holding secret talks.
I find it strange that she doesn't want to go.
6.
used in the position of the subject of a verb when you are talking about time, the date, distance, the weather, etc. :
It's ten past twelve.
It's our anniversary.
It's two miles to the beach.
It's a long time since they left.
It was raining this morning.
It's quite warm at the moment.
7.
used when you are talking about a situation :
If it's convenient I can come tomorrow.
It's good to talk.
I like it here.
8.
used to emphasize any part of a sentence :
It's Jim who's the clever one.
It's Spain that they're going to, not Portugal.
It was three weeks later that he heard the news.
9.
exactly what is needed :
In this business, either you've got it or you haven't.
—see also its
•
IDIOMS
- that is it
- this is it
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hit , neuter of he , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch het .