it

The pronoun “it” is a singular, third-person pronoun. It represents things and it introduces various situations.

He has it. (it = thing)
It’s cold outside today. (it = the weather)
It’s about time. (it = some situation)
That’s it! (it = the solution)

While this may look like a simple two-letter word, many beginning-to-advanced learners of English use it improperly. Using this word properly makes a big difference in how your English sounds.

It’s cold outside, but it’s beautiful!

a. it -- subject or object

You can use “it” as a subject or as an object.

It costs a lot of money. (it = subject)
I bought it. (it = object)
Please bring it to me. (it = object)
It’s very easy. (it = subject)
That’s it. (it = subject complement)

It’s a beautiful day today. (it = subject)
Look at it. (it = object of a preposition)

b. using "it" for time and weather

The pronoun “it” often represents time.

It’s 11:50 in the morning.
What time is it?
It’s time to go.
It’s late. I have to go.
It’s still early.
What day is it?
It’s Tuesday.
It will be the new year in just a few weeks.

This pronoun is also very useful when talking about the weather.

It’s cold today.
It was a little warmer yesterday.
It’s raining right now.
Next week, it’s going to snow.
What’s it like where you live? (it = the weather)
What’s the weather like where you live?

It’s early in the monring.
It’s 6:15.

It’s raining.
It’s a nice, warm rain.

c. common mistakes with the pronoun "it"

Some students make mistakes with “it” by confusing it with “is.”

Is very beautiful. (correction: It is very beautiful or It’s very beautiful.)
My class it is on Saturday. (Don’t use “it” to repeat the subject.)

Note: I think this sort of mistake happens because the contraction “it’s” sound similar to the word “is.” Students who do this need to correct it as soon as possible; otherwise,

She’s already had a good amount of coffee today.

d. idioms and expressions

One of the things that will drive you crazy about English is that the same word or the same sets of words and phrases may have multiple meanings. This is certainly true of expressions that use “it.”

You got it. (okay)
That’s it. (That’s the one that I want, or… I’m not happy with this situation.)
Get it? (Do you understand?)
Tell it like it is. (Speak the truth.)
Crank it. (Increase the volume for the sound.)
He’s killing it. (He’s doing very well)
It’s for your own good. (it = a difficult or challenging thing to do in order to preserve one’s physical well-being)