usage of 'it'

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Winwin2011

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1. He thinks it foolish to to learn music.
2. I think it impossible that he should ill-treat him.
3. He is an idiot, and he looks it.
4. I suppose it wrong to tell lies.
5. What a pretty girl it is.

I was wondering if the above sentences are natural.

Thanks.
 
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billmcd

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All except 5. are OK.
 

tzfujimino

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Hello.:-D
May I ask a question here?
I'm not really sure about #3.
What does "he looks it." mean? Could it be "he looks like it."?
 

emsr2d2

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Hello.:-D
May I ask a question here?
I'm not really sure about #3.
What does "he looks it." mean? Could it be "he looks like it."?

#3 is fine.

- "I might have to go inside and cool off. I'm really hot".
- "Yes, you look it".

However, #4 is unnatural. "I suppose it is​ wrong to tell lies".
 

Winwin2011

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Hello.:-D
May I ask a question here?
I'm not really sure about #3.
What does "he looks it." mean? Could it be "he looks like it."?

Hi tzfujimino:-D

I also found this sentence weird. All the above sentences are copied from a book written by a non-native speaker.
 

tzfujimino

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#3 is fine.

- "I might have to go inside and cool off. I'm really hot".
- "Yes, you look it".

However, #4 is unnatural. "I suppose it is​ wrong to tell lies".

Thank you for your prompt reply.:-D
So, in your example, "you look it." means "you look really hot." Am I correct?

I didn't know "look + (Pro)noun" is acceptable.
I've found "He looks a nice man." here:
Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
 
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Chicken Sandwich

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This construction is common in BrE, but less so in AmE. In AmE would would usually say, "He looks like a nice man".
 

tzfujimino

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Hi tzfujimino:-D

I also found this sentence weird. All the above sentences are copied from a book written by a non-native speaker.

I've never taught my students "look + (Pro)noun" is OK. I thought it was either a typo or a grammatical error.
Thanks to your post, I've just learned a new thing.:-D
 

Winwin2011

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#3 is fine.

However, #4 is unnatural. "I suppose it is​ wrong to tell lies".

Thanks ems:-D

1. He thinks it foolish to learn music.
2. I think it impossible that he should ill-treat him.

Why don't we add 'is" after 'it' in the above sentences? You added 'is' after 'it' in the sentence of 'I suppose it wrong to tell lies.'
 

emsr2d2

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Thanks ems:-D

1. He thinks it foolish to learn music.
2. I think it impossible that he should ill-treat him.

Why don't we add 'is" after 'it' in the above sentences? You added 'is' after 'it' in the sentence of 'I suppose it wrong to tell lies.'

Some verbs work OK with just "it" - "think" and "consider" are the main two.

I think it odd that you don't like eggs.
I consider it odd that you don't like eggs.
BUT
I suppose it is a little odd that I don't like eggs.
I guess it is a bit odd that I don't like eggs.
 

Winwin2011

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Some verbs work OK with just "it" - "think" and "consider" are the main two.

I think it odd that you don't like eggs.
I consider it odd that you don't like eggs.
BUT
I suppose it is a little odd that I don't like eggs.
I guess it is a bit odd that I don't like eggs.

Thanks ems :-D

Is it natural if we use "it is" after "think" and "consider"?
 

emsr2d2

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Thanks ems :-D

Is it natural if we use "it is" after "think" and "consider"?

I think it is odd that you don't like eggs. :tick:
I consider it [to be] odd that you don't like eggs. :tick:


I consider it is odd that you don't like eggs. Unnatural.
 

billmcd

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Hello.:-D
May I ask a question here?
I'm not really sure about #3.
What does "he looks it." mean? The statement means that he not only is an idiot, he looks like an idiot (it). Could it be "he looks like it."?

b.
 
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