Questions tagged [this-that]

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46 votes
5 answers
55k views

Using "that" and "this" interchangeably

Learning and using English I'm always confused about what word to use for referring to things that have been described by me a few sentences earlier: "that" or "this". Confusion comes from the fact ...
rem's user avatar
  • 10.3k
5 votes
3 answers
22k views

In answering a telephone call, why do you say "Who is this?" instead of "Who is that?"

On the telephone, the person answering it may say "Who is calling?" or "Who is this?" Why do you say "this" to the caller on the other end of the phone? Is is wrong to say "Who is that?"
Fujibei's user avatar
  • 2,365
10 votes
3 answers
30k views

"… things like this." vs. "… things like that."

Yesterday on talk radio an interviewee speaking about Sudanese Northerner's being forced into the mountains and away from their farmlands by the Sudanese Army said the result was: The men would ...
NOTjust -- user4304's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
73k views

When to use "this" or "that"?

It is 10 cm on the map. That is 100 km in real terms. I am proofreading and it seems odd that the writer always uses that in these cases. I would have said this. Who is right and who is wrong?
Caroline Sitskoorn's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
4k views

In non-spatial contexts, when should I use "this" versus "that"?

I'm always quite confused to choose which word should I put in the sentence like this/that :) That/This is not a problem at all. To be or not to be, this/that is the question. I know which one I ...
Fedor Skrynnikov's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
9k views

This is right. Or that is right? [duplicate]

Opinions sought. I vaguely remember that the expression "This is right" (meaning "I agree with what you just said") appeared in the 1970s. And I remember it because, if I remember correctly, it ...
plugincontainer's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
6k views

"This one is" OR "This is"

I have seen people using "This one is Daddy's" with the word "one" before a form of the verb be. I am confused about which is more accurate, to use: This is Daddy's. or This one is Daddy's. ...
eudoraleer's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
231k views

What is the difference between "happy to hear that" and "happy to hear this"?

Let's say I've sold a product to a customer. A bit later the costumer tells me "wow, this is fantastic". Now, do I better answer with "Thanks, I am glad to hear that" or "Thanks, I am glad to hear ...
user60881's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
139k views

"In that case" vs "in this case" [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Using “that” and “this” interchangeably Imagine a dialog: Me: Can I have a Guinness, please? Bartender: We run out of Guinness, mate. Me: In that case, I'll have a pint of Fursty ...
quant_dev's user avatar
  • 195
4 votes
2 answers
60k views

Is it correct to use the phrase "pay attention" with "that"?

Is it correct to say "Pay attention that..."? or must I use "Pay attention to..." For example: "An attention should be paid that this is a one-way street".
Yuri Feigin's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
17k views

"this way" vs "that way" [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Using “that” and “this” interchangeably When should I use "this way" or "that way"? Is there any difference between these two when they used in a sentences? ...
ezpresso's user avatar
  • 1,515
0 votes
1 answer
676 views

When to use “this" and when to use “that”? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Using “that” and “this” interchangeably What is the difference? What do you think about that? What do you think about this? What is the grammar rule about using this and ...
Vic's user avatar
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