what is the difference of using this and that?
15 answers from our tutors
Generally, "this" is used to refer to something that is close in distance or time to the speaker, while "that" is used to refer to something that is farther away or happened in the past. For example: "This book is really interesting" (the book is close to the speaker)"That book was really interesting" (the book is farther away or was read in the past) In some cases, "this" can also be used to introduce something that is about to be discussed, while "that" is used to refer to something that was previously mentioned: "This is a good point. Now, let's talk about the next topic.""We've talked about that issue already. Let's move on to something else." In summary, the main difference between "this" and "that" is that "this" refers to something closer or more immediate, while "that" refers to something more distant or past.
This meaning closer and that meaning further away in conversation
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Start testwhen you talk about a near object, person or place you use "this" . And when you talk about far object, person or place you use "that" .
This is for something close. Example: This is my mom, this is my hat That for something far. Example: That is my House, that is Nepal beyond the Ocean.
We use this to point at something that is close (near). and that is used to talk about something that is far.
pronombres demostrativos este o esto , que sirve o se utiliza para indicar objeto o persona el cual indica algo que esta lejos de ti y cerca de ti...este es un sustantitivo singular indica algo cerca de ti ese sustantivo singula indica algo lejos de ti
these two words are determiners, they come before a noun : this ----- for a close thing that------ for a farther thing
The words "this" and "that" are demonstrative pronouns that are used to indicate a specific thing or person in relation to the speaker or writer. The primary difference between the two words is their proximity to the speaker or writer. "This" is used to refer to something that is near the speaker or writer, both physically and conceptually. "That" is used to refer to something that is further away from the speaker or writer, both physically and conceptually.
“This” and “that” are pronouns that are used to indicate specific or known objects, people or concepts that are close or far in distance or time. “This” refers to something that is close in space or time, while “that” refers to something that is farther away in space or time. For example, “This shirt is blue” refers to an shirt that is close to the speaker, while “That shirt is blue” refers to an shirt that is farther away from the speaker.
- SavannahNative American English
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