Complex grammatical tenses do not raise as many questions as small words in English. I often notice that many people make mistakes in the use of the words it, this, that, because they do not know exactly which one to use and choose at random.
Let's take it in order. First, let's look at what meanings and functions these words initially have.
It is a personal pronoun ( , it is used to avoid repeating the names of inanimate objects.
This and that are demonstrative pronouns (). They are used when pointing to a specific object within sight. We use this when we point to something close; that - if something is far away. Let's look at several situations that you may encounter in communication.
Example 1
You point to an object that is close and name it:
This is a chair. - This is a chair.
You point to an object that is far away and name it:
That is a chair. - That's a chair.
If you have already named the object and pointed to it, then you need to say it:
This/ that is a chair. It is a comfortable chair. - This/that chair. This is a comfortable chair.
Example 2
It’s clear with objects, but sometimes the words this, that, it are used to describe more complex ideas and entire situations. It, as a rule, refers to one thing, and this and that - to a whole situation, more complex. Moreover, this is a situation in the present tense, and that is in the past.
Let's look at an example.
You are at a concert of your favorite band. You like the performance (present situation) and you say:
When you call a friend after a concert and describe everything you saw (the situation in the past), you say:
That was great!
If you simply say that you liked the concert, you say:
Example 3
Since all three words we are talking about today are most often translated into Russian as “this,” confusion arises: in which situation to choose which one.
Let's look at a few typical situations in life when it is important for you to remember the right choice of words.
If you introduce people, introduce someone to someone, then you say this (as if you are pointing to the person):
When talking on the phone, when introducing yourself, say this:
Hello. This is Maria. - Hello. This is Maria.
To understand who is on the other end of the line, in a telephone conversation the British are more likely to say that , and Americans - this :
Hello! Is that Mark? (British version)
Hello! Is this Mark? (American version)
You knock on the door. From behind the door they may ask:
And in response you will say:
It's me. - It's me.
Example 4
When talking about the use of the words in question in the context of several sentences or in writing, it usually refers to the last noun in the previous sentence, and this can refer to whole sentences, ideas or parts of text:
We left the car under a tree and saw small shop. It was closed. - We left the car under a tree and saw a small store. It was closed. ( It- not a car or a tree, but the last noun in the sentence - a store)
More and more people are driving cars in the city. This leads to air pollution and traffic congestion the centre. - More and more people drive cars in the city. This leads to air pollution and traffic congestion in the center. ( This- the whole situation as a whole)
That is used in a similar way, but using that, the speaker distances himself from the situation or its individual aspects:
People in villages have several children who live with their parents after they get married. That is a conservative idea of family life. - People in villages usually have several children who live with their parents after they get married. This is a conservative approach to family life.
Example 5
What word should you use with the verb know when you want to say “I know this”?
When someone gives you information with which you are already familiar, it is enough to simply say I know.
By adding the words it/ this/ that you add a little emotion:
It was the secretary left the door open. - It was the secretary who left the door open.
I knew it! - I knew it. I knew it! (my suspicions were confirmed)
I knew this/that. - I knew that anyway. (I am not surprised)
Regarding the use of it, this, that in different situations, the speakers themselves often cannot explain why one should choose this or that, because there are no clearly formulated rules. To understand when it is better to use which word, you need to read and listen a lot, that is, “pass” the speech through yourself, with all the examples of use. If you are lost in the entire volume of materials and rules in English, you cannot find explanations for incomprehensible points and cannot organize your work, then we are happy to help you.
Take action, submit, meet with your teacher and start regular classes. After all, it is much more effective when a professional assistant motivates you, directs your attention to the nuances and examples of using words, helps you practice them in speech and improve your speaking skills.
Demonstrative pronouns in English they do not name a person or object, but point to it. Usually demonstrative pronouns include this, that and their plural forms these, those.
Demonstrative pronouns This – That and the difference between them
Pronoun this used to indicate an object or person nearby, like “this” in Russian. Pronoun that indicates an object, a person in the distance, like “that” or “that” in Russian. This in the plural is these, that in the plural is those:
This and that are classified as noun determiners, words that clarify meanings.
I hold the book in my hands, looking at the pictures.
I like this book. - I like this book.
I don't like these pictures. - I do not like these Pictures.
In a bookstore I point to the books on the shelf:
I like that book. - I like that book.
I don't like those books. - I do not like those books.
Pronoun that It is not always appropriate to translate into Russian as “that, that.” More often “this, this” is suitable. For example, I'm talking about a book that the interlocutor mentioned in a conversation. There is no book nearby, it is only mentioned.
I like that book. - I like this book.
This is That as noun pronouns
The pronouns this and that can act not as determiners of a noun, but in roles inherent in the nouns themselves. For example:
This is what we wanted. - This is what we wanted.
That was a good show. – It was a good performance.
I don't like this.- I don't like This.
Can you see that?- You This do you see?
Demonstrative pronouns Such, Same
Demonstrative pronouns also include such And same. Both pronouns do not have special plural forms.
1. Pronoun Such
The pronoun such means “such”, “of this type, kind”. If such comes before a singular noun, put : between them:
It was such an interesting movie. – It was such an interesting film.
Beer? At such a time? - Beer? At this hour?
The pronoun such is often used in surprised exclamations - joyful or not:
Such a wonderful place! – What a wonderful place!
Such a mess! - What a mess!
If such comes before a plural noun, the article is not needed:
I don't know such people. – I don’t know such people.
Why would she ask me such questions? “Why would she ask me such questions?”
2. Pronoun Same
The pronoun same means “the same”, “the same”. Since same identifies a specific noun, it is always preceded by
The demonstrative pronouns this (this), that (that, this) in a sentence can act as a determiner, subject, object, used as a noun determiner or independently:
Definition
We'll stay here, at this place. - We will stay here, in this place.
Subject
Those are the lorries that carry our brothers to the mines. “These are the trucks that take our brothers to the mines.
Addition
Put that down. - Put this on.
There is an important semantic difference between this and that. This is used when talking about people and objects that are physically close to the speaker, and about situations corresponding to the moment of speaking. This is correlated with here - here and now - now. That is used when talking about people, objects and situations remote from the speaker in time or space. That is correlated with – there – there and then – then. Compare:
Get this cat off my shoulder. - Take this cat off my shoulder.
Get that cat off the piano. - Get that cat off the piano.
That was nice. - That was great.
This will be interesting. - It will be interesting.
Please note that in Russian the difference between this and that is not conveyed.
When speaking on the telephone, the English use this to name themselves, and that to ask who is calling:
Hello. This is Elizabeth. Is that Ruth? - Hello. This is Elizabeth. Is this Ruth?
When this and that are used without a noun, they usually denote things:
This costs more than that. - This one costs more than that one.
But not: This says he’s tired. “This one says he’s tired.”
However, in sentences that identify a person, this and that can be used to refer to people:
That looks like Mrs. Walker. - Looks like it's Mrs. Walker.
This is Elizabeth. - This is Elizabeth.
Informally, this and that are often used with adjectives or adverbs as intensifiers. For example:
I didn’t realize it was going to be that hot. – I didn’t think it would be so hot.
If your boy-friend is that clever, why isn’t he rich? – If your friend is so smart, why isn’t he rich?
Not all that is used in the sense of “not very”, “not so much”, “not so much”. For example:
But was the party? – Not all that good. - How was the party? - Not that good.
Such structures cannot be used before a subordinate clause. You can't say:
It was that cold that I couldn’t feel my fingers. “It was so cold that I couldn’t feel my fingers.”
If the noun in the function of the nominal part of the predicate is in the plural, then the demonstrative pronoun in the function of the subject also takes the form of the plural, but is translated into Russian by the pronoun “this”:
These are the books I told you about. - These are the books I told you about.
The pronoun that can be used to avoid repetition of the preceding singular noun:
The butter we import is less expensive than that (which) we produce ourselves. – The oil we buy abroad is cheaper than the oil we produce ourselves.
In such constructions, that can only replace inanimate nouns. The pronouns these and those can replace both inanimate and animate plural nouns. At the same time, these / those are translated into Russian by the noun they replace, sometimes by a personal pronoun, or not translated at all:
These flowers are better than those which we planted last year. – These flowers are better than those (flowers) that we planted last year.
All bodies consist of molecules and these of atoms. – All bodies are made of molecules, and molecules are made of atoms.
Then he bought a reader, some exercise-books… and hid these at the bottom of his trunk. “Then he bought a textbook, several notebooks... and hid them at the bottom of his suitcase.
Sometimes the pronoun those can have a general meaning:
He admires those who succeed. “He admires those who get their way.”
Those are often used with the participle:
Those taking part in the competition are requested to come onto the stage. – Those who take part in the competition are asked to go on stage.
He never approved of those chosen by other people. “He never approved of those chosen by others.”
Demonstrative pronouns in English ( demonstrative pronouns / demonstratives) indicate a person, object, or their signs. There are several demonstrative pronouns in English.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| this– this, this, this | these- these |
| that- that, that, that | those– those |
| such- such, similar | such- such, similar |
| the same- the same | the same- same |
| it- This | it- This |
Now you know what demonstrative pronouns are in English. Next we will look at cases where each of them is used.
Demonstrative pronouns this and these
This these– with plural nouns. These pronouns should be used in the following cases:
- When we talk about people or things that are close to us. Sometimes in sentences with this And these adverb is used here(here), which also shows the proximity of the object to us.
- When a situation occurs in the present or future tense, we describe this situation using this/these.
- When we talk about the same thing several times and want to avoid repetition.
- When we introduce people or introduce ourselves in a telephone conversation.
This table is wooden. – This table wood. (the table is nearby and we point to it)
These books belong to me. – These books belong to me. (several books are near me)
This girl is here and she is waiting for you. – This girl Here, and she is waiting for you.
We are going to meet this week. - We are going to meet at this week.
This month you are making a great progress. - IN this month you are making great progress.
I don't want to discuss this but I have to. - I don't want This discuss, but I have to. (implies that this event has already been called before, thus avoiding repetition)
Look at this! He seems to be looking for his money. - Look at This! Looks like he's looking for his money. (the pronoun indicates the situation described in the second sentence)
This is the main goal in my life. – This main goal in my life.
Jim, these are my brothers, Tom and Carl. – Jim This my brothers, Tom and Carl.
Hello! This is Kate speaking! Can I speak to Mary? - Hello. This Kate. Can I talk to Mary?
Demonstrative pronouns that and those
Demonstrative pronoun that used with singular nouns, pronoun those– with plural nouns. Let's see when we can use demonstrative pronouns that And those:
- When we talk about people or things located far away from us. Sometimes in sentences with demonstrative pronouns that And those adverb used there(there).
- When we talk about a situation that took place in the past.
- When we refer to some information that has been mentioned before and want to avoid repetition. We usually talk about a past action.
She got married a month ago. That was wonderful! – She got married a month ago. It was Wonderful!
- When we start a conversation on the phone and ask the other person to introduce himself. The person on the other end of the line is far from us, so we need to use a demonstrative pronoun that.
Good morning! This is Brenda White. Who's that speaking? - Good morning! This is Brenda White! Who am I talking to?
I don't like this piece of cake. Give me that one, please. – I don’t like this piece of cake. Give me That, Please. (the piece of cake that the speaker liked is located further from him)
Those ships are too far. I can't see their names. – Those ships too far. I don't see their names. (the indicated ships are at a distance from the speaker)
Look at that! There's a camel. - Look there! Vaughn there camel.
That's my future husband. – That- My future husband.
In those days people didn't have cars. - IN those times people didn't have cars.
We made only four kilometers that day. - IN that day we only walked four kilometers.
The picture clearly shows how demonstrative pronouns work this/that And these/those when indicating the proximity or distance of an object.
We also suggest you watch a video from the teacher Alex. It's interesting how a native speaker explains this topic.
Demonstrative pronouns such, the same, it
Other demonstrative pronouns in English include such(such, similar) the same(the same one) and it(This). Let's look at how they should be used in speech:
- When the noun is singular, then together with the demonstrative pronoun such(such, similar) the indefinite article is used.
It's such an important decision - This such important decision.
If the noun is plural, use the article after the pronoun such(such, similar) no.
Don't do such things! - Don't do it such of things!
- Demonstrative pronoun the same(the same / the same) is always used with the definite article. Nouns after the same can be in either singular or plural form.
- Demonstrative pronoun it corresponds to the Russian pronoun “this”.
Underline the word with the same meaning, please. – Please underline the word with same meaning.
He chose the same movies as I did. - He chose the same films, and me too.
– What is it? - What This?
- It's my ring. - This is my ring.
Is it your passport? – This your passport?
Don't miss it! - Do not miss This!
Difference between this and it
Many linguists say that there is little difference between it And this No. You will be understood in any case if you say This is a cat or It is a cat. But there is a difference, albeit a small one.
This is a cat. - It's a cat. (we focus on the word “this”, that is, exactly this, and not that cat)
It is a cat. - It's a cat. (we focus on the word “cat”, that is, not a dog or a guinea pig)
And one last little detail. To avoid repeating the same noun twice, the word is sometimes used instead one. And before that one You must also use a demonstrative pronoun. If the demonstrative pronoun in English is not followed by an adjective, then one (ones) can be omitted.
Would you like to buy this hat or that (one)? – Would you like to buy this hat or that?
And if there is an adjective, then you must save it one or ones in a sentence.
I don't want to buy this hat, I will take that blue one. – I don’t want to buy this hat, I'll take it out that blue Test
Demonstrative pronouns in English
In the English language, there are many different constructions, words and pronouns that serve a variety of functions in sentences. Such words often raise a lot of questions not only among beginners, but also among those more advanced in learning English. In this article we will look at the difference between this and that, which are similar at first glance words.
So what is the difference between these two most common words?
If we translate both words into Russian, we can say that they are absolutely similar, because both are translated as “this”. But you cannot rely only 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 is talking about it. We'll figure this out now.
This in English: when to use?
Let's look at the rules for using these two especially popular pronouns.
The English pronoun this is used when we point to an object not far from us:
- this plate standing on the table nearby;
- this person is opposite us;
- this phone lying on the sofa and so on.
Let's give a couple of examples to make it clearer:
- Give me this pen. - Give me this pen.
- My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend. - My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend.
- 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 go with us. It's quite 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 is the pronoun that used?
But here, on the contrary, that is used when talking about an object located at a further distance from the speaker. Usually this pronoun is translated as “that”: that box, that person, that car. Here are a couple of sentences in which this pronoun is used:
- 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! It's amazing!
- That man made me crazy. - That man drove me crazy.
- That girl looks weird! - That girl looks strange!
Sometimes the pronoun is used in sentences that require a firm, rigid coloring. Usually such proposals are rude. For example:
- That's none of your business! - It doesn't concern you! / It's none of your business!
Sometimes this demonstrative pronoun can be replaced by another by analogy - which. In this case, this is translated into Russian as “which”:
- The town that we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town we visited is so wonderful! I would love to go there again.
- The town which we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town we visited is so wonderful! I would love 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 nearby, not far from the speaker. But that performs a slightly different function. It is used when talking about some object located 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 objects 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 the demonstrative pronoun 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 amazing.
- Those who interested at other books of this writer can take them at our school library. - Those who are interested in other books by this writer can borrow them from our school library.
When we talk about the similarity of something, as well as in various scientific reports, these plural demonstrative pronouns often change to that of / those of.
The roles of these pronouns in a sentence
The pronouns in this group have two different functions:
- Definition, that is, searching for a dependent word that reveals the main thing: That house is so big! (This house is so big!) This cat is really fat! (This cat is really fat!) Thesee books are worth reading. (These books are worth reading.)
- As an independent word - a pronoun. In this case, things or objects are meant. Just look at that! (Just look at this!) Can I take some of these? (Can I have some?)
Expressions that may be useful to you
There are many expressions in English that contain the demonstrative pronouns discussed above. Most often these are colloquial, everyday statements used in our everyday life:
- That’s it (“that’s all”; “that’s it”; “exactly”; “precisely”; “that’s enough!”). This expression can be explained in different ways. Most often it means “exactly!”, but can be translated as the end of a dialogue, a point in resolving some issue. In this case, the expression is translated: “that’s it, that’s enough.” And if the expression has a questioning intonation, the phrase can be translated as follows: “Is that all you can say?” In Russian, we often say in such cases: “Come on!”
- That's right is one of the most popular affirmative answers in the English language. It is translated as follows: “this is exactly”, “true”, “so exactly”, “absolutely true”, etc.
- That’s alright / that’s ok - used to forgive a person, to say that everything is fine. Translated as: “everything is fine”, “everything is okay”, “everything is fine”.
- This one time only - one single time, only one time.
- Is this one taken? - Is it busy here?/Is it free?
- Those against? - Are there those who are against?/Anyone against?
- This is it! - This is it!/Exactly/Absolutely/Good/Correct!
Uses of this and that
There are many different uses. These demonstrative pronouns often have different meanings and even emotional connotations. This is what we will talk about now.
We continue to study the rule of this and that.
Approval of things and objects that we love
These demonstrative pronouns are often used to point to an object that we love and approve of. In this case, use this or these. 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 to indicate distance
And the following demonstrative pronouns, on the contrary, exist in order to create some distance, distance 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 will understand everything:
- Actually, I don't really like that boyfriend of yours. - Actually, I don't really like this boyfriend of yours.
- I hate those places! - I hate these places!/those places!
That in the meaning of the and this as a/an
Very often, the demonstrative pronoun replaces the definite article in order to focus attention 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 a/an. This usually happens when someone introduces us to something new or introduces us 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 denote physical distance. Thus, we bring to a conclusion all of the above.
The use of this and that in English is one of the easiest rules, which, however, is often mistaken. This and its plural these show proximity to an object, that this object is nearby, not far away. But that and those in the plural are used to indicate the remoteness of an object.
