Distinguishing Between This & That in English Grammar

This vs That in English Grammar

Understanding the difference between “this” and “that” in English grammar is crucial for proper language usage. “This” and “that” are two words that should be used with care and precision in both writing and speaking. “This” is used as a demonstrative pronoun to indicate an object or thing that is near, while “that” is used as a demonstrative pronoun to indicate an object or thing that is far. In other words, “this” is used to indicate something within one’s sight range, while “that” is used to indicate something not within one’s sight range.

Key Takeaways

• This: a demonstrative pronoun, determiner, and adverb, indicating something within one’s range of vision.
• That: a demonstrative pronoun, determiner, adverb, and conjunction, indicating something not within one’s range of vision.
• Main difference: “this” is used for something within sight, while “that” is used for something not within sight.

What does This mean?

When considering the word “this,” it is used as a pronoun, determiner, and adverb, originating from Old English. Apart from being used as a demonstrative pronoun indicating something within one’s range of vision, “this” is also used in phrases, such as “this and that,” which is used in informal language to talk about various unspecified things. For example, “They talked about this and that until their ride arrived.” To understand the use of “this” as a demonstrative pronoun, look at the sentences given below:
– Look at this horse.
– Hi, everyone! This is Tom speaking.

What does That mean?

“That,” on the other hand, is used as a pronoun, determiner, adverb, and conjunction. The pronoun “that” is used to indicate something not within the range of one’s sight. For example: “It is easy to cross that river.”

What is the difference between This and That?

• This is used to indicate something within one’s range of vision, while that is used to indicate something not within one’s range of vision.
• This and that can also be used as adjectives, such as “This fruit tastes good” and “It is easy to sing that song.”
• The word “this” is used in affirmative sentences, such as “This is right.”
• Both words are used together in expressions, such as “this and that.”

In conclusion, it is essential to be cautious when using the words “this” and “that” in English grammar.