" it " or " that " ?

In this case either seems fine though there could be situations where one would be better. Context is vitally important in deciding that.

Thank you for your post!

But how can I decide to choose " it " or " that " from the context ???

As I learned grammar in Japan,
If I use ' it ' Noun should be come after the sentence.
Ex. I appreciate it (the gift you gave me ).
And If I use ' that ' Sentence (S+V) should be come after the sentence.
Ex. I appreciate that ( You helped me today).

Is that how you choose " it " or " that " ?
Thanks a lot.

As you become more proficient in English it will become more natural.



I'm not sure that what you have described is a rule of English grammar, Miho. If you wouldn't mind giving more examples where you think IT or THAT has to go, perhaps we can straighten this out.

JTT I really hafta give ya credit for volunteering, this one could go on for quite a while….

That was a funny joke. I appreciate it

I appreciate it being a more difficult task than hoped (tho I'd say "its")



Yes John, I appreciate that (remark, joke, etc)

I appreciate that you're very tired but this job has to be done now

Not likely, Dale. Sorting out whether the rule has any veracity shouldn't take long.

No, that is definitely not any rule of the English language that would determine how we use IT or THAT, Miho San.

Hi dalehileman and JTT san

I appreciate that your reply and giving me more explanations and clues for my question!

I've been thinking there must be a clearly answer the way to use " it " or " that " for " I appreciate ..." .
Because I thought all the English should work with grammar systematically.
But since I was thinking of the post from JTT san, I remembered Japanese language has similar thing.

Language works on grammar basically but there is something that doesn't follow. It is just how they say or It is depend on the context or etc ...
I thought my topic is happening very similar thing.
It could be working on the grammar but it could be working depend on the context.

Thank you very much for your posts.
I appreciate that! (hopefully " that" sounds natural on this sentence)

In this case we might/could say,

I appreciate all the help you've given me.

I appreciate these things you've pointed out.

Yea JTT I tend to overcomplicate everything

Hi JTT san,

Thank you for correcting my English again!
I approciate it.