This and that: difference, rules of use

In English, there are many different constructions, words and pronouns that perform a variety of functions in sentences. Such words often cause a lot of questions not only for beginners, but also for more advanced in learning English. In this article we will analyze what the difference between this and that is, similar, at first glance, words.

So what is the difference between these two most common words?

If you translate both words into Russian, we can say that they are absolutely similar, because both translate as "this." But you cannot rely solely on the translation of this and that.

The main difference between these two demonstrative pronouns is the distance of an object from the person who speaks about it. We will understand this now.

This in English: when to use?

We will understand the rules for using these two especially popular pronouns.

The English pronoun this is used when we point to an object near us:

• this plate, standing on the table next;
• this person is opposite us;
• this phone lying on the couch and so on.

Let's give a couple of examples to make it clearer:

• Give me this pen. - Give me that pen.
• My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend. “My sister wants to buy this shirt for her young man.”
• This is my dog. It is cute, isn't it? - This is my dog. She's cute, isn't she?
• Mary won't go with us. This is pretty sad. “Mary won't come with us.” This is very sad.

In sentences, the pronoun this can often be replaced by another personal pronoun - it (it).

• This book is the most interesting. - This book is the most interesting.
• It is the most interesting book. - This is the most interesting book.

When to use the pronoun that

And here, on the contrary, that is used when talking about an object located at a farther distance from the speaker. Usually this pronoun is translated as “that”: that box, that person, that machine. Here are a couple of sentences that use this pronoun:

• Do you see that big blue box? “Do you see that big blue box?”
• John, look at that picture! It's fantastic! “John, look at that photo!” She is amazing!
• That man made me crazy. “That man pissed me off.”
• That girl looks weird! “That girl looks weird!”

Sometimes the pronoun is used in sentences that require a solid, rigid coloration. Usually such suggestions are rude. For instance:

• That's none of your business! - This does not concern you! / This is not your business!

Sometimes this demonstrative pronoun can be replaced by another by analogy - which. In this case, it translates into Russian as "which":

• The town that we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town that we visited is so wonderful! I would like to go there again.
• The town which we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town that we visited is so wonderful! I would like to go there again.

Difference

As we have already found out, the demonstrative pronouns this and that are somewhat similar. But there is a very important difference between them. The pronoun this indicates objects that are close to the speaker. But that performs a slightly different function. It is used when talking about an object that is far away. This is the difference between this and that.

Plural: these and those

Another pronoun that often raises questions is the plural of the same this and that.

These is translated into Russian as "these" and is the plural of this. Everything is exactly the same here. If items are located nearby, then we use these:

• These cats are so cute! “These cats are so cute!”
• I hope these guys are nice. “I hope these guys are nice.”

But those is the plural of that. It is translated into Russian as “these,” “those,” and is used when talking about any distant objects, objects at a distance:

• Those stars are amazing. “Those stars are awesome.”
• Those who interested at other books of this writer can take them at our school library. - Those who are interested in other books of this writer can take them in our school library.

When we talk about the similarities of something, as well as in various scientific reports, these demonstrative plurals often change to that of / those of.

The roles of these pronouns in the sentence

The pronouns of this group have two different functions:

1. Definition, that is, the search for a dependent word that reveals the main: That house is so big! (This house is so big!) This cat is really fat! (This cat is really fat!) Thise books are worth reading. (These books are worth reading.)
2. As an independent word - a pronoun. In this case, things or objects are meant. Just look at that! (Just take a look at this!) Can I take some of these? (Can i take some?)

Expressions You May Use

In English, there are many expressions containing the demonstrative pronouns discussed. Most often these statements are colloquial, everyday, used in our everyday life:

• That's it ("that's all"; "vo-in"; "exactly"; "for sure"; "that's enough!"). This expression can be explained in different ways. Most often it has the meaning “exactly!”, But it can be translated as the end of a dialogue, a point in resolving some issue. In this case, the expression translates: "well, that's enough." And if the expression has an interrogative intonation, the phrase can be translated as follows: "Is that all you can say?" In Russian, we often say in such cases: "Oh, well!".
• That's right - one of the most popular affirmative answers in English. It translates as follows: "that's for sure," "true," "that's for sure," "absolutely true," etc.
• That's alright / that's ok - used to forgive a person, to say that everything is fine. It translates as: "everything is in order", "everything is okay", "everything is fine."
• This one time only - once, once.
• This one taken? - Is it busy here? / Is it free here?
• Those against? - Are there any who are against? / Anyone against?
• This is it! - This is it! / Exactly / Absolutely / Good / Right!

Uses for this and that

There are many different uses. These demonstrative pronouns often have different meanings and even emotional coloring. We’ll talk about this now.

We continue to study the rule this and that.

Endorsement of the things and objects that we love

These demonstrative pronouns are often used to indicate an item that we love and approve of. In this case, this or these are used. This creates a feeling of closeness to the subject, the speaker's predisposition:

• I love this new dress I've bought! - I love this new dress that I bought!
• These places remind me about my childhood. “These places remind me of my childhood.”

That and those for indicating distance

And the following demonstrative pronouns, on the contrary, exist in order to create some distance, remoteness from the object, in the literal and figurative sense. This is the difference between this and that. Take a look at the examples and you’ll understand:

• Actually, I don't really like that boyfriend of yours. “Actually, I don't really like that guy of yours.”
• I hate those places! - I hate these places! / Those places!

That means the and this as a / an

Very often, a demonstrative pronoun replaces a specific article in order to focus on the subject that is being described. Typically, this technique is used when telling various stories, transferring knowledge and life experience:

• So I saw that man and ... - And I saw this man, and ...
• Remember that museum where we have already been at? - Remember the museum where we were already?

But the demonstrative pronoun this replaces the indefinite article a / an. This usually happens when someone introduces us to something new or introduces a person to a new person in our lives. I think you see a clear difference between this and that:

• This guy is really shy, but I like him. “This guy is so modest, but I like him.”

Physical distance and proximity to objects

But most often with the help of these pronouns we designate physical distance. Thus, we conclude all of the above.

The use of this and that in English is one of the easiest rules in which, however, they often make mistakes. This and its plural these show proximity to the subject, that this subject is nearby, not far. But that and those in the plural are used to indicate the remoteness of the subject.