"It" vs "that"

[subhajit123]

Hi teachers, I have a question. "It" or "that": What form should I use in the context? I will never use "this" to refer a past event. But I have seen people use "that" or "it". Which one is perfect and how to choose between them?


"Tomorrow I vistited a zoo near Delhi. That/It was the first time I visited a zoo."

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi teachers, I have a question. "It" or "that": what form should I use in the context below? I [STRIKE]will[/STRIKE] would never use "this" to refer a past event (no full stop here) but I have seen people use "that" or "it". Which one is [STRIKE]perfect[/STRIKE] correct and how [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] can I choose between them?


"[STRIKE]Tomorrow[/STRIKE] Yesterday, I [STRIKE]vistited[/STRIKE] visited a zoo near Delhi. That/It was the first time I had visited a zoo."

See above. In that context, they are both possible.

 

[subhajit123]

See above. In that context, they are both possible.

So, can "that" and "it" both be used here?

 

[emsr2d2]

That's what I said.

 

[shimacatu_sa]

See above. In that context, they are both possible.

Hi, may I ask what makes you decide which one to use? I've been always wondering how to choose the right one, too. There should be differences between "it" and "that" in nuance.

Are there any universal rules for the usage or do I just have to listen to lots of native speakers talking and get a grip on the usage? In other words, do I need to let my ears decide which one sounds more natural accordingly?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

In that context, I wouldn't decide which one to use. One word or the other would simply come out of my mouth.