This vs That
What’s the difference between them?
This
Meaning:
This is a pronoun used to refer to a person, thing, or idea that is close to the speaker or previously mentioned.
Examples:
1. This morning I went for a run.
2. This is an amazing piece of art.
3. This evening I'm going to the movies.
That
Meaning:
That is a pronoun used to refer to a person, thing, or idea that is far from the speaker or previously mentioned.
Examples:
1. That is the dress I was looking for.
2. That was a great movie.
3. I have been thinking about that all day.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
This
1. That
2. It
3. Such
4. These
5. Herewith
1. That
2. Opposite
3. Different
4. Nothing
5. Not this
That
1. Those
2. Such
3. It
4. The ones
5. Those very
1. This
2. Those
3. Here
4. Everywhere
5. Everywhere else
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "This", "That".
1. 'This' generally refers to something that is near to the speaker.
2. 'That' usually indicates something that is further away.
3. 'This' stands for 'target here'.
4. 'That' stands for 'target there'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'this' is used to refer to a person, place, thing, idea, or event that is close to the speaker or the person the speaker is directly addressing. It is used to describe something that is close in physical or temporal proximity.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'that' is used to refer to a person, place, thing, idea, or event that is further away from the speaker or the person the speaker is directly addressing. It is used to describe something that is further in physical or temporal proximity.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The word 'this' is pronounced /ðɪs/, while that is pronounced /ðet/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make with these words is using 'that' for something that is close to the speaker, or using 'this' for something that is further away. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing the words the same. It is important to remember that 'this' has a voiced 'th' sound, and 'that' has an unvoiced 'th' sound.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I prefer __ to that one.
2. __ looks better with the other colors.
3. Im thinking of buying __ one.
4. __ one is a little too pricey.
5. She chose __ instead.
6. Id rather get __ one.
1. This
Explanation: The pronoun this is used to refer to a thing that is close to the speaker or close in time. In this context, it indicates that the speaker prefers the thing closer to them (which is indicated by the word this) to the thing farther away from them (which is indicated by the word that).
2. This
Explanation: The pronoun this is used to refer to a thing that is close to the speaker or close in time. In this context, it indicates that the thing closer to the speaker (referenced by the word this) looks better with the other colors than the thing farther away from the speaker (referenced by the word that).
3. That
Explanation: The pronoun that is used to refer to a thing that is farther away from the speaker or farther away in time. In this context, it indicates that the speaker is considering buying the thing farther away from them (referenced by the word that) rather than the thing closer to them (referenced by the word this).
4. That
Explanation: The pronoun that is used to refer to a thing that is farther away from the speaker or farther away in time. In this context, it indicates that the thing farther away from the speaker (referenced by the word that) is a little too pricey, as opposed to the thing closer to the speaker (referenced by the word this).
5. That
Explanation: The pronoun that is used to refer to a thing that is farther away from the speaker or farther away in time. In this context, it indicates that the person chose the thing farther away from them (referenced by the word that) rather than the thing closer to them (referenced by the word this).
6. This
Explanation: The pronoun this is used to refer to a thing that is close to the speaker or close in time. In this context, it indicates that the speaker would rather get the thing closer to them (referenced by the word this) rather than the thing farther away from them (referenced by the word that).
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.