Who is it?

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seyfihoca

#73939 Mon, 14 Feb 05 07:14 PM

Hello

why do people use "it" when they say "who is it?" or "It is Mike speaking."?

any answer is welcome.

seyfihoca

Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005

Turkey/Eskisehir

Full Member (109)

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MrPedantic

#74132 Tue, 15 Feb 05 02:38 PM

Hello Seyfihoca

1. Who is it?
This is 'impersonal it': we use 'it' because there is known subject for the sentence.

2. It is Mike speaking.
Here, 'it is' emphasises the subject: in effect, the subject is stated twice.

MrP

MrPedantic

Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004

Veteran Member (11,931)

...opella forensis / adducit febris...

seyfihoca

#74137 Tue, 15 Feb 05 02:47 PM

so can we use

"who are you?" or "I am John" instead of these questions?

seyfihoca

Mister Micawber

#74148 Tue, 15 Feb 05 03:16 PM

No, the former is rude and the latter is wierd. On the telephone or the door intercom, these standardized phrases are all but written in stone.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (20,199)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

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