It’s a Thing: Choose precise words and your readers will thank you
I used to have a secret desire to become a Great Australian Novelist, a desire that led me to study Professional Writing and Editing at (what is now) Deakin University. I got good marks for my first – and last – short story, but my teacher pointed out the number of times I used the word ‘it’.
It, it’s, thing, anything, something and everything are imprecise words. Today, as I edit my clients’ words, I am ruthless with the word ‘thing’ and pretty tough on ‘it’. I replace ‘thing’ or ‘it’ with words that more exactly describe what the author intended. And, if I cannot guess, I send their manuscript back to ask for clarification.