as far as it goes

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

In the passage below, what does it refer to?

...We have the handy set of words to describe our nearest relations: mother, father, daughter, son, uncle, aunt, cousins, although that' s as far as it usuall goes in contemporary Wester society... (In gratitude by Jenny Diski)

Does this it refer to "The act of using these words"?

OP

 

[Roman55]

It refers to the extent to which these words are used.

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear all,

In the passage below, what does "it" refer to?

We have the handy set of words to describe our nearest relations: mother, father, daughter, son, uncle, aunt, cousins, although that's as far as it usually goes in contemporary Western society... (In Gratitude by Jenny Diski)

Does this "it" refer to "the act of using these words"?

OP

See above. Check carefully for errors before posting and remember to mark out the words you're asking about in some way. You can put them in "quotation marks", in italics or in bold.

Book titles should be capitalised.

 

[GoesStation]

Dear all,

In the passage below, what does "it" refer to?

See above. Always identify words and phrases you're writing about by setting them in italics or surrounding them with quotation marks.

 

[Raymott]

I would have thought brother and sister would be on that list, given the 50% common genetics.

 

[Rover_KE]

Grandparents, too.