This vs That in English Grammar
Difference between this and that in English grammar should be understood by everyone using English if they are to use the language properly. This and That are two words that are to be used with great care and precision when it comes to their usage in writing and speaking. The word this is used as a demonstrative pronoun to indicate an object or a thing that is near. On the other hand, the word that is used as a demonstrative pronoun to indicate an object or a thing that is far. In other words, it can be said that the word this is used to indicate something within the range of one’s sight, whereas the word that, on the other hand, is used to indicate something not within the range of one’s sight.
What does This mean?
When we consider the word this, it is used as a pronoun, determiner and an adverb. Also, the word this comes from Old English. Apart from being used as a demonstrative pronoun indicating something in one’s range of vision, this is also used in phrases. For example, this and that. This phrase is used in the informal language to talk about “various unspecified things.” As instance,
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.
In the first sentence, you can see that the word this is used as a demonstrative pronoun regarding a horse that is within the range of one’s vision. Here, we can see that this determines the place of the horse as nearer to the speaker. In the second sentence, this is used to introduce someone. In this example, this introduces Tom. This is another use of this, the pronoun.
What does That mean?
That, on the other hand, is used as a pronoun, determiner, adverb as well as a conjunction. Pronoun that is used to indicate something not within the range of one’s sight. First have a look at the sentence given before.
It is easy to cross that river.
In this sentence, the word that is used as a demonstrative pronoun to represent a river that may or may not be within the range of one’s vision.
What is the difference between This and That?
• One of the main difference between this and that is this is used to indicate something within one’s range of vision. That is used to indicate something not within one’s range of vision.
• It is interesting to note that the words this and that can also be used as adjectives in a different manner such as “This fruit tastes good” and “It is easy to sing that song”. In both the sentences the words this and that are used distinctly as adjectives.
• As a matter of fact, the word this is used in the affirmative sentences too as “This is right”.
• In fact, both these words are used together in expressions such as “this and that.”
All said and done one has to be really careful while using the words this and that.