with it

USAGE SUMMARY

"with it" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically acts as a linking phrase to indicate that one part of the sentence is linked to another. For example, "I'm going to bake a cake and decorate it with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's enraptured with it.

The New Yorker

They're with it?

The New Yorker

Get with it, Olympus!

The New York Times - Tech

It meshes with it.

The New Yorker

Rhymes with it.

The New Yorker

"We'll live with it.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm struggling with it.

The Guardian

With it he's regal.

The Guardian - Sport

Speak with it.

The New York Times

"He stayed with it".

The New York Times - Sports

But stay with it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the idiomatic sense to describe someone who is socially relevant or mentally alert, particularly in journalism or conversational writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with it" at the end of a sentence if the antecedent for 'it' is unclear from the previous context. If there are multiple objects mentioned, replace 'it' with the specific noun to prevent reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with it" serves as a prepositional phrase consisting of the preposition 'with' and the third-person singular neuter pronoun 'it'. Ludwig AI identifies it as a linking phrase that connects an action or quality to a previously mentioned subject. It often functions as a subject complement in its idiomatic form (e.g. 'He is with it') or an adverbial adjunct in its literal form (e.g. 'Mix the sugar with it').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

40%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "with it" is a versatile and correct phrase in English, serving both literal and idiomatic functions. Ludwig AI characterizes it as a linking phrase that effectively associates actions with objects or describes a state of being. The literal usage is ubiquitous in procedural writing, such as recipes or DIY guides, where it denotes the addition of one component to another. Idiomatically, it remains a popular way to describe someone who is socially relevant, fashionable, or mentally alert. While it is frequently found in high-quality journalism, writers should be mindful of its slightly informal tone in the idiomatic sense and ensure that the pronoun 'it' has a clear referent to maintain professional clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the loop

More specifically describes being informed about internal or secret information

on top of it

Emphasizes control and complete understanding of a situation

up to speed

Focuses on being current with information or a specific process

informed

A more formal way to describe someone who is current with trends or facts

trendy

Captures only the fashion-forward aspect of the idiomatic meaning

hip

A more informal slang term for being fashionable or socially aware

attentive

Focuses on the mental presence or alertness aspect

sharp

Focuses on the quick-witted or intelligent aspect of being present

engaged

Implies active participation rather than just passive awareness

alongside it

A literal alternative focusing on spatial proximity rather than accompaniment

FAQs

How do I use "with it" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in 'He carried the bag and the umbrella "with it"', or idiomatically to mean aware, such as 'He's old but he's still very "with it"'.

What does it mean when someone is "with it"?

It generally means they are mentally sharp, alert, or aware of current fashions and trends. It is similar to being "hip" or "informed".

Is "with it" formal enough for an essay?

While grammatically correct, the idiomatic use of "with it" is often considered informal. For academic writing, consider using "up-to-date" or "current" instead.

What is the difference between "with it" and "on top of it"?

Being "with it" usually implies awareness or trendiness, whereas being "on top of it" implies being in control and managing a task efficiently.