That vs. It — What's the Difference?

As a demonstrative

Referring to a subject

In relative clauses

As a placeholder

For emphasis

Expressing time and distance

Introducing clauses

For conditions

The function word that is used in the English language for several grammatical purposes.These include: as a complementizer/subordinating conjunction. ("He asked that she go.") That can be omitted when used to introduce a subordinate clause—"he told me that it is a good read" could just as easily be "he told me it is a good read".

An animal that has been neutered

Being the one singled out, implied, or understood

The third-person singular personal pronoun used to refer to an inanimate object, abstract entity, or non-human living thing.

Being the one further removed or less obvious

A third-person singular personal pronoun used to refer to a baby or child, especially of unknown gender.

To such an extent or degree

(obsolete) An affectionate third-person singular personal pronoun.

To a high degree; very

A third-person singular personal pronoun used to refer to an animate referent who is transgender or is neither female nor male.

Used to introduce a noun clause that is usually the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative

Used to refer to someone being identified, often on the phone, but not limited to this situation.

Used to introduce a subordinate clause stating a result, wish, purpose, reason, or cause

The impersonal pronoun, used without referent as the subject of an impersonal verb or statement (known as the dummy pronoun, dummy it or weather it).

Used to introduce an anticipated subordinate clause following the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb

The impersonal pronoun, used without referent, or with unstated but contextually implied referent, in various short idioms or expressions.

Used to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression

Referring to a desirable quality or ability, or quality of being successful, fashionable or in vogue.

Used to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined to an adjective or noun as a complement

The impersonal pronoun, used as a placeholder for a delayed subject, or less commonly, object; known as the dummy pronoun (according to some definitions), anticipatory it or, more formally in linguistics, a syntactic expletive. The delayed subject is commonly a to-infinitive, a gerund, or a noun clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction.

Used to introduce an elliptical exclamation of desire

All or the end; something after which there is no more.

Introducing a clause which is the subject or object of a verb (such as one involving reported speech), or which is a complement to a previous statement.

(obsolete) Followed by an omitted and understood relative pronoun: That which; what.

Introducing a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause: because, in that.

(obsolete) Its.

(dated) Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose, or goal ("final"), and usually contains the auxiliaries may, might, or should: so, so that.

One who is neither a he nor a she; a creature; a dehumanized being.

Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence, or effect.

The person who chases and tries to catch the other players in the playground game of tag.

Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that.

The game of tag.

Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb.

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Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish.

(colloquial) Most fashionable, popular, or in vogue.

Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise.

The neuter pronoun of the third person, corresponding to the masculine pronoun he and the feminine she, and having the same plural (they, their or theirs, them).

The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction.

As a substance for any noun of the neuter gender; as, here is the book, take it home.

(demonstrative) The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction.

As a demonstrative, especially at the beginning of a sentence, pointing to that which is about to be stated, named, or mentioned, or referring to that which apparent or well known; as, I saw it was John.

The known (thing); used to refer to something just said.

As an indefinite nominative for a impersonal verb; as, it snows; it rains.

(demonstrative) The aforementioned quality or proposition; used to emphatically affirm or deny a previous statement or question.

As a substitute for such general terms as, the state of affairs, the condition of things, and the like; as, how is it with the sick man?

(relative) (plural that) Which, who; representing a subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.

As an indefinite object after some intransitive verbs, or after a substantive used humorously as a verb; as, to foot it (i. e., to walk).

(colloquial) Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted.

Clipping of that is; used to reinforce the preceding assertion or statement.

(degree) To a given extent or degree.

(degree) To a great extent or degree; very, particularly in negative constructions.

To such an extent; so. in positive constructions.

(philosophy) Something being indicated that is there; one of those.

As a demonstrative pronoun (pl. Those), that usually points out, or refers to, a person or thing previously mentioned, or supposed to be understood. That, as a demonstrative, may precede the noun to which it refers; as, that which he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples.

As an adjective, that has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun.

As a relative pronoun, that is equivalent to who or which, serving to point out, and make definite, a person or thing spoken of, or alluded to, before, and may be either singular or plural.

As a conjunction, that retains much of its force as a demonstrative pronoun.

To introduce a clause employed as the object of the preceding verb, or as the subject or predicate nominative of a verb.

As adverb: To such a degree; so; as, he was that frightened he could say nothing.

To introduce, a reason or cause; - equivalent to for that, in that, for the reason that, because.

To introduce a purpose; - usually followed by may, or might, and frequently preceded by so, in order, to the end, etc.

To introduce a consequence, result, or effect; - usually preceded by so or such, sometimes by that.

In an elliptical sentence to introduce a dependent sentence expressing a wish, or a cause of surprise, indignation, or the like.

While there may be contexts where they seem interchangeable, their usage generally depends on the need for specificity ("that") versus a more general reference ("it").

"That" is often used for more distant references, either physically ("That car across the street is mine.") or conversationally ("Remember the time we went hiking? That was fun."), whereas "it" is used for more immediate or general references.

Formal writing tends to prefer more specific references, potentially favoring "that" in situations requiring clarity and distinction.

No, "that" can refer to objects, ideas, situations, or actions, providing clarity or emphasis.

Generally, "it" is not used to refer to people except in specific idiomatic expressions or when the gender is unknown or irrelevant.

"That" can add emphasis or specificity to the noun it references, making it stand out among others, while "it" serves a more neutral reference role without adding emphasis.

Typically, "which" is used to introduce non-defining relative clauses in formal English, with "that" reserved for defining clauses.

Primarily, yes, "it" functions as a personal pronoun, but it can also serve as a placeholder subject in sentences about time, weather, distance, and general conditions.

Yes, in informal spoken English, "that" is often omitted, especially in relative clauses ("The book you gave me is great.") or in reporting clauses ("She said she would come.").

The context, including preceding discussion, the need for specificity, and the formality of the situation, greatly influences the choice, with "that" often used for specificity and "it" for more general references.