English Question: "That's right" vs "It's right"?

Question

Some English-learning Japanese and I are now discussing the usage of 'that' and 'it'.
Please have a look at the example dialogue I made.

A: Look here. Don't you think this spelling is wrong? I've never seen this myself. I think that's simply a misspelling.
B:
(1) That's right.
(2) It is right.

I personally feel that it can be thought;

1, if B says "That's right", it means he/she agrees to A's opinion, ie. "That's simply a misspelling. "
2, if B says "It is right.", it means (or might mean) 'the spelling' is right, thus what A thinks is wrong.

Is what I am thinking is correct?

Usually, "That's right" is quite often heard; while "It's right" seems to be heard obviously less frequently.
Is it weird or strange to say "It's right.", with 'it' indicating some concret thing previously mentioned or appeared in the conversation
(not as the "it is (for sb) (to do)" construction) ?

Please give me a clue why "It's right." is not so often heard as "That's right" is.

Any comment

Answer 1

When you say "That's right" you usually are reffering to the statement made.
When you say "It's right" or It is right" , you usually are reffering to the fact or subject of the conversation.
English is a tricky language!
Sometimes you have to expand your answers like saying "That's the right way to spell it" or "it's the right spelling"
Hang in there!

Answer 2

If I hear "That's right".. I think somebody has said something that somebody else agrees with.

If I hear "It's right".. I think somebody just got off the plane.

It is the music of the language and nothing more. If you want to learn the music of the language you will be thought of as a more learned person.

"Is it time to bend like a willow tree and practice using "That's right." or snap like a dry twig, insisting on using "It's right."?

Good Luck on your new language!

Answer 3

As an English minor at Oklahoma State, I'd have to say that, grammatically, neither are incorrect. The connotation is what matters here.

If you were to say, "It is right," you would be saying that the spelling is correct.

If you were to say, "that's right," you would be implying that you agree.

Answer 4

I agree with you--that's right means "I agree with you" or "your statement is correct." "It's right" (in this context) sounds as if the speaker is correcting speaker A.

Common vernacular uses "that's right" to mean agreement, either with a fact or someone's opinion. "It's right" is not commonly used.

Answer 5

You are on the right track:

1. "That is right" references what the other person said
2. "It is right" references the thought, the idea.