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What is correct to say: "I don't like it when ..." OR "I don't like when ..."?

English Language & Usage Asked by bodacydo on August 20, 2021

Very simple question. Which is correct to say:

  1. I don’t like it when …
  2. I don’t like when …

Is there a difference?

For example:

  1. I don’t like it when people can’t understand me.
  2. I don’t like when people can’t understand me.

Or

  1. I don’t like it when it rains.
  2. I don’t like when it rains.

Or

  1. I don’t like it when it comes to arguing.
  2. I don’t like when it comes to arguing.

2 Answers

I think "I don't like it when" sounds more normal-ish, but it doesn't seem wrong either without the "it". :) I hope i helped.

Answered by Abs on August 20, 2021

I don't like it when people can't understand me.

In this sentence "IT" is being used as an empty or 'dummy' subject. It is understood that 'it' relates to people not understanding what you are saying or doing but you are not specifying exactly what 'it' is..

It would be better phrased as: "I don't like being misunderstood."

I don't like it when it rains.

In this sentence you are using 'it' as both an empty subject and an object pronoun. Again, this might be better phrased as: "I don't like the rain..."

"when it comes to" is an interesting phrasal verb, meaning to reach a particular state or point, especially one that is bad or unpleasant. So:

I don't like it when it comes to arguing.

Is probably more correct than:

I don't like when it comes to arguing.

But I am sure you will hear both. Again, 'I' am the object and 'it' is being used as an empty object. However, I think this is better phrased as:

I don't like arguing.

Answered by NeilB on August 20, 2021

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