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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > It before a noun phrase    

It before a noun phrase



Choli
Argentina

It before a noun phrase
 

Some years ago, a teacher trainer corrected a phrase in my assignment. She wrote:

It cannot anticipate a noun phrase.
 
The mistake in question:
 
Is it a monkey?
 
From that moment on I �ve been using this instead of it. Is this a monkey?
 
But this type of question Is it a + noun appears everywhere, even in textbooks and it �s the most common question when playing games with flashcards.
 
So, can you confirm that it is wrong?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Hugs
Choli

24 May 2009      





PhilipR
Thailand

I �ve never heard of the alleged rule.
In my opinion, �it � can precede a noun phrase, both in questions an statements.
The question �Is it a dog? � is definitely correct.
Think of a newborn: we ask �Is it a boy or a girl? �, don �t we?
Also, �A dog bit me, so I gave it a whack/kick/.... � is correct.
Negative statements are possible as well: �I didn �t give it a second thought. �
I think you �d better forget this �rule �.

24 May 2009     



dellcomputer
United States

it can be used except it is a broad and, at least in the USA "it" when refering to a person or animal is rude, it refers to inaniment objects

27 Jun 2009