A2Nouns

It and There

What is it?

"It" and "there" are often confused, but they have different uses. Use "IT" to identify or describe something specific (It is Monday / It's cold / It's my book). Use "THERE" to talk about existence or location (There is a book / There are cats). "It" refers to something already known or identified. "There" introduces something new or states that something exists. Both can be used for weather, time, and distance, but "it" is more common.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
It (identification)	It is a book	It isn't a book	Is it a book?
It (description)	It's cold today	It isn't cold	Is it cold?
It (time/weather)	It's 3 o'clock	not common	What time is it?
There (existence)	There is a book	There isn't a book	Is there a book?
There (location)	There are cats outside	There aren't any cats	Are there any cats?
It vs There	It's my book / There's a book	It isn't mine / There isn't one	Is it yours? / Is there one?

• It: identifies or describes something specific → It's Monday / It's cold / It's my book
• There: states existence or location → There is a book / There are cats
• It: subject already known/clear → 'Where's the book?' 'It's on the table.'
• There: introduces new information → 'There's a book on the table.' (new info)
• Time/weather/distance: use 'it' → It's 3 o'clock / It's raining / It's far
• Questions: Is it...? (identification) vs Is there...? (existence)
• It's (it is) vs its (possessive) — don't confuse!

When to use it

1
It — identifies or describes something specific
"It is Monday." / "It's cold today." / "It's my book." / "It's beautiful." (describing known thing)
2
There — states existence or introduces new information
"There is a book on the table." / "There are cats outside." / "There's a problem." (new info)
3
Time, weather, distance — use "it"
"It's 3 o'clock." / "It's raining." / "It's Monday." / "It's far from here." / "It's dark outside."
4
Known subject — use "it" to refer back
"Where's the book?" "It's on the table." / "I like this city. It's beautiful."
5
Location/existence — use "there" for new information
"There's a new restaurant." (introducing) / "There are many people." (stating existence)

Common mistakes

There is cold today.

It is cold today. / It's cold today.

Use 'it' for weather descriptions, not 'there'.

It is a book on the table.

There is a book on the table.

Use 'there' to state existence/location, not 'it'.

There is Monday.

It is Monday.

Use 'it' for time/days, not 'there'.

Its raining.

It's raining. (It is raining)

'It's' = it is, 'its' = possessive (belonging to it).

Quick reference

It: identifies or describes something specific (It's Monday / It's cold)
There: states existence or location (There is a book / There are cats)
Time/weather/distance: use 'it' (It's 3 o'clock / It's raining / It's far)
Known subject: use 'it' to refer back (Where's the book? It's here.)
New information: use 'there' (There's a problem / There's a new café)
Questions: Is it...? (identification) vs Is there...? (existence)
It's = it is | its = possessive (don't confuse!)

Natural conversation example

Planning a day out

Tom

What time is it?

Lisa

It's 10 o'clock. Is there a park nearby?

Tom

Yes, there's a beautiful park. But it's quite far.

Lisa

Is it raining?

Tom

No, it's sunny today. Perfect weather!

Lisa

Great! Are there any cafés in the park?

Tom

Yes, there are two cafés. It's a very nice park!

Practice Exercises

Complete with "it" or "there".

1.
is cold today.
2.
is a book on the table.
3.
is Monday.
4.
are many people here.
5.
is raining.
6.
is 3 o'clock.

There Is / There Are All Topics

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