I already saw it. VS. I already saw that.

[Hansman]

I already saw it. VS. I already saw that.

Can I use both of it and that for the same meaning in the same situation?

I know the difference between it and that, but sometimes, I feel like they are interchangeable for the same meaning.

 

[tedmc]

Yes, you can if it is clear to the reader what "it" and "that" refer to. I personally prefer to use "it".

You should put "it" and "that" in inverted commas. I would omit "of" after "both".

 

[emsr2d2]

There are times when only one of them will do. For example:

Helen: Did you see the Pope died?
Sarah: Yes, I saw that.

John: I just saw an eagle. Did you?
James: Yes, I saw it!

 

[jutfrank]

These words have quite different meanings, so no, they're not interchangeable.

 

[Hansman]

There are times when only one of them will do. For example:

Helen: Did you see the Pope died?
Sarah: Yes, I saw that.

John: I just saw an eagle. Did you?
James: Yes, I saw it!

Thank you so much.
Are there times when both can be used for the same meaning in the same situation?

Helen: Did you see the Pope died?
Here in the dialogue, is the meaning of 'see' like 'know', not 'watch', right?

 

[emsr2d2]

Helen: Did you see the Pope died?
Here in the dialogue, is the meaning of 'see' like 'know', not 'watch'? right?

Most people get their news using their eyes so it can be taken to mean "Did you see on the TV news/in a newspaper/on the internet that the Pope died?" If I was absolutely certain that the person I was talking to only ever got their news from the radio or word-of-mouth, I'd say "Did you hear the Pope died?"