It
This refers to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified
That
This refers to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood
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Example
A: We are having sushi for lunch?
B: What is that?
In the example 'that' refers to the 'sushi'
'sushi' is the thing that is clearly identified or mentioned by (A)
What does 'it' refer to?
What does 'that' refer to?
It
This refers to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified
Itは、既に言及したものや簡単に特定できる物事に対して用いる。
That
This refers to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood
Thatは、既に言及された・知られている・認識されている特定の物事に対して用いる。
_________________________________________________________
Example
A: We are having sushi for lunch?
B: What is that?
In the example 'that' refers to the 'sushi'
'sushi' is the thing that is clearly identified or mentioned by (A)
≪例文≫
A. お昼は[寿司](https://eikaiwa.dmm.com/uknow/questions/54268/)を食べます。
B. [それは何？](https://eikaiwa.dmm.com/uknow/questions/108492/)
この例文では、ThatはSushiを指しています。
Sushiは、Aが明確に特定しているものです。
In order to ask which word the 'it' or 'that' represents or stands for, you can say:
What does the 'it' refer to?
What does 'that' refer to?
'Refer to' means: Apply to, associated with.
This is a formal and polite way of asking especially a teacher in an online lesson.
I hope that helps!
it とか that がなにを意味しているのか訪ねたいとき、
What does the 'it' refer to?
What does 'that' refer to?
と聞くことができます。
refer to は適用するとか、関係する、という意味です。
これは特にオンラインレッスンの先生に聞くような、丁寧で礼儀正しい聞き方です。
参考になればうれしいです！
What does the word 'that' refer to in the sentence?
The word 'it' is a pronoun and it is used to represent an inanimate thing understood, previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context.
It will only appear in a sentence in reference to something already mentioned or about to be mentioned.
So, you may say: 'It' is my responsibility to take the children to school.
It is clear here for example that 'it' refers to 'taking the children to school'.
There is no vagueness.
The use of the pronoun 'that' in the second question is also used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as pointed out or present, mentioned before, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis. So, you may say:
It is I 'that' opened the door.
It is clear here that the pronoun 'that' in the sentence refers to 'I'.
There is no vagueness.
it という言葉は、以前または直前に話された、なんのことかわかっている静止物を意味します。
すでに話題に出されたものや、これからすぐに話されるものを指すときにしか使われないでしょう。
なので、あなたは 'It' is my responsibility to take the children to school.
（子どもたちを学校につれていくのは私の義務です。）と言うことができます。
この場合 'it' は'taking the children to school' を指すことが明らかです。曖昧さはありません。
２つ目の質問にある that という代名詞は、人、もの、アイディア、状態、イベント、時間、発言なども示す言葉です。
現在、過去に話されたことや、おそらく相手もわかっていることだったり、または強調の方法として使われます。
なので、 It is I 'that opened the door. （ドアを開けたのは私です。）と言うことができます。
この代名詞'that' は、 'I' のことを指していることが明らかです。
これも曖昧さはありません。
I am not sure what you mean by "it" /" that" ,care to explain?
"What exactly do mean when you say "it"/ "that"?" and "What is the "that" referring t/in reference to?" are good ways to ask for clarification on a point you are not sure of."What is the "that" referring t/in reference to?" is a more formal way to frame the question if you are asking a lecturer,your boss or anyone in authority.
"I am not sure what you mean by "it" /" that" ,care to explain?"
You are stating the fact that you are not clear on what the other person means and you are giving them the option to explain if they would like to.They also have the option to not explain if they don't "care " to.
"What exactly do mean when you say "it"/ "that"?" and "What is the "that" referring t/in reference to?" are good ways to ask for clarification on a point you are not sure of."What is the "that" referring t/in reference to?" is a more formal way to frame the question if you are asking a lecturer,your boss or anyone in authority.
「It/Thatとは、正確にはどういう意味ですか？」
「Thatは、何を指していますか？」
もし、講師、上司、または、権力者に質問する際は、こちらの方がフォーマルな聞き方です。
"I am not sure what you mean by "it" /" that" ,care to explain?"
You are stating the fact that you are not clear on what the other person means and you are giving them the option to explain if they would like to.They also have the option to not explain if they don't "care " to.
「It/Thatが、何を意味しているかわかりません。説明してもらえますか？」It/Thatが何を意味しているのかはっきりしないので、相手に説明を求めている。ただ、相手は、説明しない選択肢もある。
Yes, in a long and convoluted sentence, the meaning of something may get lost because of the complexity and digression within the sentence which leaves the reader dumbfounded as to what the precise meaning of it all is.
"What does 'it' mean here?"
"Well, 'it' in this sentence refers to the subject of the sentence, introduced at the very beginning: '...a long and convoluted sentence.'
"Er, OK, I think I get it!"
長くて複雑な文章だと、文内でitが何を指しているのかわからずまごついて文が何を表しているのかわからないときもあるよね。
"What does 'it' mean here?" このitは何を表しているの？
"Well, 'it' in this sentence refers to the subject of the sentence, introduced at the very beginning: '...a long and convoluted sentence.' この文中のitは、最初にでてきた文章の主語を表している。
"Er, OK, I think I get it!" あーなるほど、わかった！
What is the definition or meaning behind the word "it" or "that" in this sentence?
The words "it" and "that" are very general words that are used in almost every sentence. It's good to use this question to really understand the meaning of these words in relation to the specific
sentence in which they are found.
It's also good to ask for the meaning of these words because they can refer to something
completely different from one sentence to another.
Both questions perform the same function, just in reference to different articles.
Most of the time the articles "it" or "that" refer to the last thing spoken about.
For example.
"The coffee table over there. That is what I stubbed my toe on."
In this sentence, "that" is referring to the "coffee table".
I hope this helps.
"it"、"that" の違いはありますが、どちらも言おうとしていることは同じです。
たいてい、"it"、"that" は直前には話したことを指します。
例：
"The coffee table over there. That is what I stubbed my toe on."
〔訳〕あのコーヒーテーブル。あれにつまずいたの。
この文では、"that" は "coffee table" を指します。
参考になるといいです。
One way to ask how it/that is being used is by asking,
"What is it/that referring to in the sentence?"
Referring to - What is it/that mentioning or alluding to in what is written.
It/that are both pronouns used in place of a person name, a place, thing, etc.
This question is asking about the word "it" specifically because "it" is surrounded by parenthesis. The question may need to be asked in a different way when spoken, or it may not be clear. A person may need to ask: When you use the word "it," what do you mean?
The main thing to pay attention to for making these sentences is that you can either use the verbs, "to mean," or, "to refer to," depending on where, "it," is in your sentence.
'It' refers to something directly and specific or something that has been mentioned.
'That' refers to specific thing or person.
Examples:
Person 1; Please do the laundry today when you get a chance.
Person 2; I have already done it.
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