longranger25 wrote:
Hi,
I was watching a video by Ron () wherein exactly 1 hour into the video he talks about the usage of it vs that in comparisons. A screenshot has been attached below. There, he gave four examples:
1. The air quality of Los Angeles was higher in 2010 than it was in 1995
2. The air quality of Los Angeles was higher in 2010 than that in 1995
3. The air quality of Los Angeles in 2010 was higher than it was in 1995
4. The air quality of Los Angeles in 2010 was higher than that in 1995
He says that 'it' refers to noun along with the modifiers. 'that' refers to only nouns minus the modifiers.
According to him,
#1 is correct,
#2 is incorrect as 'it' should be used instead of 'that'.
#3 is nonsense as 'it' refers to 'air quality of Los Angeles in 2010'
But in #4, he goes on to say 'that' refers to 'air quality of los angeles' and is thus correct. As per my understanding, 'of Los Angeles' is a modifier and shouldn't be included in the definition of 'that'.
I am confused and need some guidance on 'it', 'that', and 'those' when used in comparisons.
Cheers!
Reference to the PM I received..
A quick approach here will be to see if PARALLELISM works in two parts....
1. The air quality of Los Angeles was higher in 2010 than it was in 1995
PARALLELISM is between items before WAS
So IT refers to ' the air quality of Los Angeles'... Perfectly fine
2. The air quality of Los Angeles was higher in 2010 than that in 1995
PARALLELISM between items before IN..
Doesn't make sense
3. The air quality of Los Angeles in 2010 was higher than it was in 1995
PARALLELISM is between items before WAS
So IT refers to ' the air quality of Los Angeles in 2010'... Illogical
4. The air quality of Los Angeles in 2010 was higher than that in 1995
PARALLELISM between items before IN..
So THAT refers to ' the air quality of Los Angeles'.
Perfectly fine.