What is the Difference Between it and that?

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The main difference between "it" and "that" lies in their usage and the nuances they convey. Here are the key differences:

  1. Usage: Both "it" and "that" can be used to refer to things that have just been mentioned or talked about. However, "that" is often used to introduce new information about the previously mentioned noun, while "it" simply takes the place of the noun without any additional nuance.
  2. Emphasis: "It" does not carry any particular or special emphasis, while "that" is more emphatic and conveys that the thing just mentioned is special or interesting.
  3. Proximity: "It" is used when referring to something close to the speaker, whereas "that" refers to something that is far away from the speaker.
  4. Nature of the noun: If the original noun is an object, "it" is often used as the pronoun. However, if the original noun is an idea or something non-tangible, "that" or "this" are often used as the pronoun.

In summary, "it" is used for something previously mentioned or easily understood, while "that" is used to point out something specific or to refer to something farther away. Both words can be used to refer to things that have just been mentioned, but "that" is more emphatic and often introduces new information about the noun.

Comparative Table: it vs that

The question seems to be asking for a comparison between the English words "it" and "that." However, the search results provided are mostly related to SQL and table creation, which is not relevant to the question.

Nonetheless, I can provide a comparison between "it" and "that" based on their usage in the English language:

Feature It That
Pronoun Yes, "it" is a pronoun used to refer to a singular subject or object. Yes, "that" is a pronoun used to refer to a singular or plural subject or object.
Determiner No Yes, "that" can also function as a determiner, introducing a noun phrase or a subordinate clause.
Usage "It" is typically used to refer to something already mentioned or implied. "That" can be used to refer to something already mentioned, implied, or to introduce new information.

In summary, "it" and "that" are both pronouns, but "that" can also function as a determiner and is used to introduce new information, whereas "it" typically refers to something already mentioned or implied.