英语里 it 和that具体指代的区别

it/that二者均可用作代词, 指代前面提到的名词。一般来说, it指代同名同物; that则指代同名异物。

I have lost my umbrella; I'm looking for it. 
#该句中it就是指前面的my umbrella

The umbrella you bought is cheaper than that I bought.  
#替代词that在该句中特指“the umbrella I bought”, 以区别“the umbrella you bought”

其他区别：

1. that用来指代同名异物, that为特指, 相当于the+名词。that所指代的名词的修饰语往往是the/this/that。

   The water in the cup is hotter than that in the pot.
   #该句中that可以换成 the water
   

2. that既可以代替不可数名词也可以代替可数名词单数, 代替可数名词复数时用those。

   Mary's handwriting is far better than that of Peter. 
   #that代替不可数名词 handwriting
   
   These pictures are more beautiful than those. 
   #those代替可数名词复数 pictures
   

3. that只能代替事物而不能代替人。

   That on the table is mine.
   

4. it可以替代句中的不定式或从句等, 充当形式主语或形式宾语。that无此用法。

   It is known to everybody that the moon travels around the earth once every month. 
   #it代替从句
   
   I found it hard to get on with her. 
   #it代替不定式
   

5. it与that均可以替代上文全句的内容或部分内容。

   He has saved my life; I'll never forget it. 
   #it代替第一分句 
   
   Tom is painting his house. I am told he does it every four years. 
   #it代替前面分句的部分内容painting his house
   
   Let's say we meet here at three o'clock. That ought to give you time to buy everything. 
   #that代替前面表述的内容