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We use It, this, and that to refer back to something that was just mentioned, talked about, or written. However, they way we use them is different. For today’s English lesson, let’s have a look at how they are used in everyday English.
Here are the example sentences:
Listen to the podcast or the check the transcript for the details
Using “it”
- I went to Jack’s party last night. It was so much fun. It replaces “Jack’s party.”
- We are planning a trip to Asia. It will be about three weeks long. It replaces “a trip to Asia.”
- Have you ever seen Casablanca? It’s a great movie. It replaces “Casablanca.”
Compare these two sentences:
- I went to Jack’s party last night. It was so much fun.
- I went to Jack’s party last night. That was an amazing party. The food was great and everyone had a great time.
Using “this” or “that”
- We are planning a trip to Asia. This will be the first time for both of us to visit China, Japan and Korea.
- Have you ever seen Casablanca? That is probably one of the most classic films of the last century.
If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks for studying today!
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Comments 15
Hi Michael. When a clerk doesn’t have a product I want, he said sorry about that. This THAT is emphasis as same as today’s lesson?
Hi Koji. Yes, that’s right! (I used “that” here)
I like to think that “it” replaces a word and “that” replaces a sentence. That is not the exact rule, but it is a good way to think about this point. The store clerk said, “Sorry, this product is sold out. I’m sorry about that.” Here, “that” means the fact that the product is sold out. 🙂
As I understood
we use “this” when we refer to a thing that near us or about an event that will be in the future (for example, trip) or it already is now
and
we use “that” when talk about an object that is far from us (is “far from us” sound well ?) or about an event that was in the past
Is that true ?
You’re correct about the use of this and that. As for the Lady Gaga song, you have to remember that song lyrics are like poetry, and in poetry, non-standard language and grammar can be used all the time. The Beatles first big hit was called, Love Me Do, which makes absolutely no sense at all from an English Grammar point of view.
I’m still confused on this point. I’m having trouble using this/that in a sentence when referring to back to something else. For example, ” Yes, the PA alleges X, but because the claimant has 3 dependents, that would put him at…” or ” *random statement*. I will discuss this/that with my supervisor.” or “When it comes to grammar, I’m quite terrible, but your tips have really been helping improve that/this.” or “She said she will leave if I don’t propose. I can’t let that/this happen.”
The more I think about it, the more confused I become. How do you know when to use this or that as a referent to previous sentences/paragraphs? Is there a rule for this?
I think that you can use either this or that to refer to something that was just mentioned. There is no difference, so you don’t need to think so hard about it. On the other hand, we only use this to refer to something we are about to say, or will hear in the future.
Hi Michael. Could you consider 2 cases ?
What if I was asked to send my phone, resume, contact details, document and etc. to someone’s email. How would be correct to refer to it ?
A) This is my phone
B) That is my phone
C) It’s my phone
And another case.
Let’s imagine you and your friend think whether to go at Jack’s party or not. You are talking for a while. That’s (This is, It is ? 🙁 ) really a complex question. And taking leave you ask:
“So, what have you decided ?
1) Are you going to the party tonight ?
2) Are you going to this party tonight ?
3) Are you going to that party tonight ?
4) Are you going to Jack’s party tonight ?
5) Are you going to it tonight ?”
What variants are correct ?
And is that true that native speakers prefer to use “my, her, Jack’s, Jully’s (personal pronouns and “named” pronouns) than “the, that, this” in ordinary communication ?
Hi Vadim,
What if I was asked to send my phone, resume, contact details, document and etc. to someone’s email. How would be correct to refer to it ?
A) This is my phone < This shows the thing near me, and the email message represents me.
And another case.
Let's imagine you and your friend think whether to go at Jack's party or not. You are talking for a while. That's (This is, It is ? 🙁 ) really a complex question. And taking leave you ask:
"So, what have you decided ?
1) Are you going to the party tonight ? This is most natural because we already know in the conversation what party we are talking aboiut.
What variants are correct ?
And is that true that native speakers prefer to use "my, her, Jack's, Jully's (personal pronouns and "named" pronouns) than "the, that, this" in ordinary communication ?
It really depends on the conversation. Many of your answer choices are grammatically correct, but aside from correct or not, you need to consider the usage and context.
Michael
Thanks for the answers
and just in case to be sure you don’t get me wrong. When I wrote “phone” I meant “phone number” (I don’t know whether it’s the same thing or not in English just to say it less). So if I sent to someone my phone number how it would be correct to write ? (sorry for any inconvenience)
P.S. I saw a video on Coursera and there some man refer to some data column that was drawn behind (but NEAR) him like “that column”. So, should I use the same idea and write “That’s my phone number” ?
Hi Vadim,
I assumed that when you said “phone” you meant “phone number,” so no worries. When you send an email, it’s better to use “this is my information” than “that is my information.” The reason is we use “this” when something is near where the conversation is taking place. We use “that” when something is not near where the conversation is taking place. In an email, the conversation is “here” not “there,” so you need to say, “this is my information.”
Thank you 🙂
Ah, English…why do you confuse people?!
Just 2 examples.
In the next video https://youtu.be/1NDkVx9AzSY?t… a kid had
said “It’s fine” and his mother wonderingly asked him “That’s fine ?”. Could she ask “Is this/it fine ?” or the boy says “This is fine ?” (Just I’ve never heard but perhaps it’s still correct) Yes, she could ask, “That’s fine?” or “It’s fine?” there’s no difference, By the way, the boy said, “It’s fine” at the end.
Another example I don’t understand – https://www.youtube.com/watch?…
A woman asks “What is this ?”, “What is it?” and a kid asks “Is this an old fashion phone?” Again, as I’ve mentioned before, native speakers tend to use either this or it interchangeably in this kind of situation. Context is everything.
o_O
I regret, if I’ve done it.
What way have I offended ? Should I not post links ? Or my words were impolite and rude ?
I just wrote that I have the same question and suggest to have a look at it
Vadim,
You’ve done nothing wrong at all. Sorry if I made you feel so.
The problem is that the English language is confusing!
I hope you understood my explanation.
aaa, I see. You’ve asked for the English language not me -_- (facepalm)