We are hoping to sell a lot of it.

[kadioguy]

[From a TOEIC test]

a. We are hoping to sell a lot of it.
b. We are hoping to sell a lot of them. (my version)

I think that they both work, as the following:

We are hoping to sell a lot of it (= pumpkin pie = this type of product).
We are hoping to sell a lot of them (= pumpkin pies = physical products).

Do you agree?

 

[5jj]

As the person has already mentioned pumpkin pie, the appropriate pronoun is it.

 

[kadioguy]

As the person has already mentioned pumpkin pie, the appropriate pronoun is it.

Do you agree that "it" means this type of product rather than a physical one? Like "we are hoping to sell a lot of 'this model.'"

 

[Tarheel]

In that sentence '"it" refers to one specific thing -- pumpkin pie -- that and nothing else. It doesn't refer to a type of product but to one specific product. If they had been talking about pieces (or slices) of pie "them" would have been appropriate.

(I'm getting hungry. )

 

[kadioguy]

In that sentence "it" refers to one specific thing -- pumpkin pie -- that and nothing else.

If you don't mind, I find "that" a little weird there. How about omitting it?

In that sentence "it" refers to one specific thing -- pumpkin pie -- and nothing else.

Please think of it this way:

a. In that sentence "it" refers to one specific thing (pumpkin pie) that and nothing else.
b. In that sentence "it" refers to one specific thing (pumpkin pie) and nothing else.

 

[Tarheel]

If I was speaking it I would put the emphasis on that. Removing it would make that impossible.

 

[kadioguy]

If I was speaking it I would put the emphasis on that. Removing it would make that impossible.

Okay, then perhaps:

In that sentence "it" refers to one specific thing -- pumpkin pie. That and nothing else.

 

[Tarheel]

It's OK.

 

[5jj]

I find "that" a little weird there.

I don't.

Like Tarheel, I am a native speaker.