THIS or THAT? 💁‍♀️👇🤼‍♀️ What is the difference?

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This or that?

There are many different ways of using “this” and “that”. Both words are often used in similar contexts but in different ways. In this article, we will explore the various applications of “this” and “that”

We use “this” to refer to people, things, situations and experiences that are more close to the speaker or very close in time. “This is paired with single or uncountable nouns.

We use “that” to refer to people and things, situations and experiences that are more distant to the speaker, either physically or in time. They are often paired with single or uncountable nouns.

1. Determiner (People or Things)
2. (Experience)

Determiner (People or Things)

Structure: This + noun

Example:

• This shoe is red in colour. (I might be holding the shoe)
• This man next to me is really good looking. (He might just be beside me)

Structure: That + noun

Example:

• That guitar is fantastic but expensive. (That guitar is quite far away from me)
• That man standing at the door looks like a thief. (That man is not near me)

Experience

• This holiday is awesome (Suggests that you are still having a holiday and you make this remark)
• That holiday was fantastic (Suggests that the holiday has finished and you make this remark)
• “This” is my first attempt vs “That” was my last attempt.

Time phrases

• I will see you this evening. (Suggest time is near e.g going to happen soon)
• Remember that evening when we met for drinks. (Suggest time is far e.g quite some time in the past)

Mentally / Emotionally

This category can be rather complex. However, if we stick to the concept of “this” (near) and “that” (far), it should be easy.

Example:

• I really like this girl in my class. (A positive and favourable emotion. It seems I want to get “nearer” to this girl.)
• I did not have an affair with that woman. (Suggests “distancing”. I want to have nothing to do with that woman. )

Introducing a new topic

We use this to refer to a new topic. The reference topic could be a word, phrase or clause.

Example:

• This fall, there will be a myriad of new TV dramas debuting on the CW network.
• The mugger suddenly pulled out this big knife and wielded it at me.

Relating to something that has recently been mentioned

• Facebook has recently introduced a new video call function. This function will enable Facebook users to communicate with their friends and loved ones.

Shared knowledge

We often use “that” to refer to shared knowledge when telling a story or explaining something:

• You know that old barber on the corner? Well, they’re going to close down temporarily for renovation.

Situation

• 4 employees were asked to leave this week. This might set off an unprecedented number of terminations.
• 4 employees were asked to leave last month. That might have set off an unprecedented number of terminations.

4 employees were asked to leave “This”/”That” is the situation.

I leave you now with this dialogue. Try to figure out the different uses of “this” and “that”.

Dialogue

More for you:
When to Use THIS and IT in English?
When to Use THIS (THESE) and THAT (THOSE) in English!