{"id":49844,"date":"2022-12-21T14:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluency.io\/this-vs-that\/"},"modified":"2023-12-19T13:09:25","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T13:09:25","slug":"this-vs-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fluency.io\/blog\/this-vs-that\/","title":{"rendered":"This x That: Whats is the Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most common questions we receive from English learners is: when and how to use this and that<\/strong>. And it makes sense that this question should be so common, as these two words are some of the most frequently used words in the English language.<\/p>\n

First of all, let\u2019s make sure we understand the main purpose of this<\/strong> and that<\/strong>. We generally use them to specify whether an object we\u2019re talking about is close by or farther away in time or space. This <\/strong>indicates that the object is near, while that<\/strong> infers that the object is far from reach.
Although the two words have similar functions, they add different details and information to your speech. It may seem a little confusing, but don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re here to teach you all about how to use this and that.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4 ways to use “this”<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In general, we use the word this<\/strong> to indicate or point out an object, person, idea, time, etc. that is right beside you or close to you. However, in English we can use it in many other contexts as well. Let\u2019s check out a few of them:<\/p>\n

To refer to something near you:<\/p>\n

Is this<\/strong> your bike?
This<\/strong> laptop is mine, yours is over there.
Can you sign this<\/strong> form here for me?<\/p>\n

To talk about the intensity or degree of a quality:<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never seen him this<\/strong> angry before.
He\u2019s never been this<\/strong> late for school.
I was this<\/strong> close to missing my flight.<\/p>\n

Introducing people or identifying yourself on the phone<\/p>\n

Hanna, this<\/strong> is my friend, Luke.
Hello, this<\/strong> is Jessica. Can I speak to Mrs. Brown, please?
Hey mom, this<\/strong> is Chloe, my new girlfriend<\/p>\n

4 ways to use “that”<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We most often use the word that<\/strong> to refer to someone or something that is farther away from you. But there are some other ways you can use the word \u201cthat\u201d, let\u2019s check them out:<\/p>\n

To refer to someone or something is far from you:<\/p>\n

Who is that<\/strong> boy over there talking to my sister?
How much is that <\/strong>hat?
I live in that<\/strong> house at the end of the street.<\/p>\n

To link two related parts of a sentence:<\/p>\n

Where is the shirt that<\/strong> you borrowed from me?
Is it true that<\/strong> he’s going back to London?
I didn\u2019t know that<\/strong> she was married.<\/p>\n

To talk about the intensity of a quality:<\/p>\n

My grandpa is too old to work that <\/strong>much.
We should walk there, it\u2019s not that<\/strong> far.
The movie wasn’t that<\/strong> funny.<\/p>\n

To refer to a person, place, thing or idea that has already been mentioned:<\/p>\n

We are talking about that <\/strong>day we went to the beach.
Las Vegas? That\u2019<\/strong>s where my sister lives.
Do you remember that <\/strong>nice man who came to dinner?<\/p>\n

How to remember the difference<\/p>\n

The most important thing to remember about the difference between these two words is that when someone\/something is right near you, use \u201cthis\u201d, whereas when someone\/something is separated from you by some distance or time, use \u201cthat\u201d.<\/p>\n

Additional uses<\/h2>\n

Remember that \u201cdistance\u201d can also be measured in time. We can use \u201cthat\u201d to refer to the past (time that is farther away) and \u201cthis\u201d to refer to the present (time which is near), especially when used with the verb \u2018be\u2019:<\/p>\n

That<\/strong> was a great party last night.
This<\/strong> is an awesome party. Are you having fun?<\/p>\n

Sometimes, the difference between \u201cthis\u201d and \u201cthat\u201d is more subtle. We can use \u201cthis\u201d to refer to something (like an idea or a suggestion) that you are about to say. And we can use \u201cthat\u201d to refer to something that you have just mentioned:<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go to the park. What do you think about that<\/strong>?
What do you think about this<\/strong>: we could go to the park.<\/p>\n

It is not that<\/strong> hard, right? Now we\u2019re sure that there won\u2019t be any more confusion. We hope you enjoyed this<\/strong> article!
See you soon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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