Good evening! Demonstrative pronouns like "this" and the pronoun "it" serve different purposes in English, and their usage depends on the context. Let's clarify when to use each one: Demonstrative Pronouns (e.g., "this," "that," "these," "those"): Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out or identify specific objects or ideas. They typically replace nouns and work to make your writing more concise and clear. "This" and "these" refer to objects or ideas that are close or in the present, while "that" and "those" refer to objects or ideas that are farther away or in the past. Examples: "This is my book." (You're pointing to a specific book that's close to you.) "Those are my friends." (You're indicating a group of friends that are not right next to you.) Pronoun "It": "It" is a general pronoun that can be used to refer to things, animals, or ideas previously mentioned or understood within the context of the conversation or text. It is often used when the noun being replaced is already known to both the speaker/writer and the listener/reader. It can also be used to refer to a general, non-specific object or idea. Examples: "I have a cat. It is very playful." (Here, "it" refers back to the previously mentioned noun "cat.") "It is raining." (In this case, "it" is a placeholder for the weather condition without specifying a noun.) To differentiate between "this" (and other demonstrative pronouns) and "it," consider the following: Use "this" when you want to specifically point out or introduce something nearby or current. Use "it" when you want to refer back to something previously mentioned or when the specific object or idea is already understood in the conversation. Remember that context is crucial in determining which word to use, and sometimes you may use both "this" and "it" in different parts of a sentence or paragraph based on what you are trying to convey.

In many cases, both can be used, with similar meanings. Q. I spend hours each week trying to learn the rules of my target language. What do you think about that? (‘That’ not ‘it’!) A. It’s a waste of time. or That’s a waste of time. (Both could be said)