Page 35 - Grammar Glow - 6

We know that the word 'it' is a personal pronoun. But it is also used in an impersonal manner.

Let us study its use in detail.

Use of ‘It’ —As a Personal Pronoun

As a personal pronoun, it is used—
(a) for lifeless things.

1. This is our house. It has three storeys.

2. That is red pen. What did it cost you?
(b) for animals in general.

1. We have a cow. It gives us milk.

2. The dog is a faithful pet. It guards its master’s house at night.
(c) for emphasis on a noun/pronoun.

1. It is John, who has broken the pane.

2. It is I who am at guilt.
(d) for referring to a statement made earlier.

1. He is a clever rogue and you know it very well.

2. Was it proper for him to beat me up?
(e) in questions about person.

1. Who is it on the roof?

2. Is it you, Jolly? Yes, it is me, sir.
(f) in exclamations.

1. How beautiful a flower it is!

2. What a lovely doll it is!
It—as an Impersonal Word

It as an impersonal word and does not stand for any noun. It is used just to begin the sentence.

So it is called the introductory.
(a) in connection with time, day, date, month, year, etc.

1. What time is it?

It is 3 p.m.
2. What day is it? JANUARY 2025
S M T W T F S
It is Monday. 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
3. What date is it? 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
It is the 18th of January. 26 27 28 29 30 31

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