Cool MateIT vs Itself
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
IT
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)A1pronoun
Itself
Top 2,000 (common)A2pronoun
Most formal: ITMost common: IT
| IT | Itself | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪtˈself/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪtˈself/"]/ |
| Meaning | Information Technology, the use of computers and technology to manage information. | Refers back to the subject in a sentence. |
| Example | I found a book. It was really interesting! | The cat was washing itself. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | pronoun | pronoun |
| Collocations | IT department, IT support, IT services, IT infrastructure | speak for itself, do it itself, by itself |
| Antonyms | you, we | others, themselves |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'its' or 'it's', Used in informal contexts where a specific technology term is more appropriate, Assuming 'IT' refers only to hardware, not software or services | Confused with 'it' in some contexts., Using 'itself' when the subject is plural., Misplaced within longer sentences. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in business and academic contexts; not typically used in casual conversations. Avoid using 'IT' when referring to something else without context. | Used to emphasize the subject or when the subject performs the action on itself. Avoid in very formal writing where more complex phrases can be used. |
Frequently asked questions: IT vs Itself
What's the difference between IT and Itself?
IT: Information Technology, the use of computers and technology to manage information. Itself: Refers back to the subject in a sentence.
Which is more formal: IT and Itself?
IT is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: IT and Itself?
IT is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: IT and Itself?
Itself is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are IT and Itself the same CEFR level?
IT: A1, Itself: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are IT and Itself?
IT: pronoun, Itself: pronoun.
Can you show an example of each?
IT: I found a book. It was really interesting! Itself: The cat was washing itself.
Can I use IT and Itself interchangeably?
Not always. IT and Itself are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.