That vs. This vs That

Attribute	That	This vs That
Definition	Refers to something further away from the speaker or writer	That refers to something further away, while This refers to something closer
Usage	Used to indicate something specific or previously mentioned	That is used for objects or ideas that are more distant, while This is used for objects or ideas that are closer
Distance	Indicates a greater distance	That indicates a greater distance compared to This
Context	Can be used in various contexts to refer to something specific	That is often used to refer to something more distant in space or time, while This is used for something closer

Introduction

When it comes to the English language, the words "that" and "this" are commonly used to refer to objects, people, or ideas. However, there is often confusion about when to use "that" versus "this" or "that" versus "this." In this article, we will explore the attributes of "that" and "this" individually, as well as compare the differences between "this" vs "that."

Attributes of That

The word "that" is typically used to refer to something that is farther away in distance or time. It is often used to indicate a specific object or idea that has already been mentioned or is known to the speaker and listener. For example, "That book on the shelf is mine." In this sentence, "that" is used to point out a specific book that is not close to the speaker.

Additionally, "that" can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a noun. For example, "The car that is parked outside is red." In this sentence, "that" introduces the clause "is parked outside" to provide more information about the car.

Furthermore, "that" can be used as a demonstrative pronoun to replace a noun that has already been mentioned. For example, "I want that one." In this sentence, "that" is used to refer to a specific object that was previously discussed.

Overall, the word "that" is often used to refer to something that is more distant in space or time, to introduce additional information, or to replace a previously mentioned noun.

Attributes of This

In contrast to "that," the word "this" is typically used to refer to something that is closer in distance or time. It is often used to indicate a specific object or idea that is near the speaker or listener. For example, "This pen on the table is blue." In this sentence, "this" is used to point out a specific pen that is close to the speaker.

Similarly to "that," "this" can also be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a noun. For example, "The book on this shelf is mine." In this sentence, "this" introduces the clause "shelf" to provide more information about the book.

Additionally, "this" can be used as a demonstrative pronoun to replace a noun that has already been mentioned. For example, "I want this one." In this sentence, "this" is used to refer to a specific object that is nearby and was previously discussed.

Overall, the word "this" is often used to refer to something that is closer in space or time, to introduce additional information, or to replace a previously mentioned noun.

Comparing This vs That

When comparing "this" vs "that," it is important to consider the context in which each word is used. As mentioned earlier, "this" is typically used to refer to something that is closer in distance or time, while "that" is used to refer to something that is farther away.

For example, if you are in a store and you want to point out a specific item that is nearby, you would use "this." However, if you are talking about an item that is on the other side of the store, you would use "that." The choice between "this" and "that" depends on the relative distance of the object being referred to.

Additionally, the use of "this" vs "that" can also convey a sense of immediacy or importance. When using "this," the speaker may be emphasizing the closeness or relevance of the object, while "that" may imply a sense of distance or detachment.

Overall, the choice between "this" and "that" depends on the spatial or temporal relationship between the speaker and the object being referred to, as well as the emphasis or tone the speaker wishes to convey.