Question

13 Aug 2018

Ukrainian Near fluent

English (UK)
English (US)
Czech

Question about English (UK)

How should I reply to this: "I hope you had a good time".
1. IT was good.
2. THAT was good.

See a translation

IT or THAT ?
And why?

Answers

oldgeezer

13 Aug 2018

Featured answer

English (US)
English (UK)

- I hope you had a good time.

The usual reply would be something like, "Oh yes, I had a great time!"

But for your question, you want to know whether to say "it" or "that". Both are possible. "It" is more usual, and "that" is more emphatic. For example:

- Last year I went to London. It was a great summer, but in the winter I froze my bollocks off! (The emphasis is on how cold it was.)

- Last year I went to London. THAT was a great summer! (The emphasis is on how great (enjoyable) the summer was.)

Highly-rated answerer

Share this question

Copy URL

Jay_Yo

13 Aug 2018

English (US)

You should reply with "Yes I did have a good time" or " Yes I had a good time".
Using it and that was good would be an incorrect way of replying.

See a translation

1 like

oldgeezer

13 Aug 2018

English (US)
English (UK)

- I hope you had a good time.

The usual reply would be something like, "Oh yes, I had a great time!"

But for your question, you want to know whether to say "it" or "that". Both are possible. "It" is more usual, and "that" is more emphatic. For example:

- Last year I went to London. It was a great summer, but in the winter I froze my bollocks off! (The emphasis is on how cold it was.)

- Last year I went to London. THAT was a great summer! (The emphasis is on how great (enjoyable) the summer was.)

1 like

Highly-rated answerer

Milanova

13 Aug 2018

Ukrainian Near fluent

@OldGeezer I get it. Thanks a lot for the examples! ☺️
Yes, I still have some difficulty with using "it" and "that" cos they mean the same in my language :)

See a translation

1 like

oldgeezer

13 Aug 2018

English (US)
English (UK)

@Milanova You're welcome. :)

"It" and "that" are hard for a native speaker to explain because their meanings are similar, and we learn to use them by ear (which one sounds right) rather than by any rule. I'm glad you found my examples useful.

See a translation

1 like

Highly-rated answerer

[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!

Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.

Share this question

Copy URL

How should I reply to this: "I hope you had a good time".
1. IT was good.
2. THAT was good.

How should I reply to this: "I hope you had a good time".1. IT was good.2. THAT was good. See a translation

You should reply with "Yes I did have a good time" or " Yes I had a good time".Using it and that was good would be an incorrect way of replying.

@Milanova You're welcome. :)"It" and "that" are hard for a native speaker to explain because their meanings are similar, and we learn to use them by ear (which one sounds right) rather than by any rule. I'm glad you found my examples useful.

How should I reply to this: "I hope you had a good time".
1. IT was good.
2. THAT was good.

See a translation

You should reply with "Yes I did have a good time" or " Yes I had a good time".
Using it and that was good would be an incorrect way of replying.

@Milanova You're welcome. :)

"It" and "that" are hard for a native speaker to explain because their meanings are similar, and we learn to use them by ear (which one sounds right) rather than by any rule. I'm glad you found my examples useful.