The word "this" is one of the most versatile and essential building blocks of the English language. Linguistically classified as a demonstrative, it functions as a pointer. Whether you are identifying a physical object in your hand, referring to a complex idea mentioned in a previous paragraph, or introducing a friend, "this" establishes a sense of proximity—a "nearness" that is either physical, temporal, or conceptual.

Understanding how to use "this" correctly allows for greater precision in communication. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of "this" across various contexts, providing clear examples and detailed explanations for each.

Using This for Physical Proximity

At its most fundamental level (A1 level English), "this" is used to identify a singular person or thing that is physically close to the speaker, often within reaching distance.

Example 1: Pointing to Objects

  • Sentence: "This coffee is surprisingly cold."
  • Context: The speaker is likely holding the cup or sitting directly in front of it. By using "this," they distinguish this specific cup of coffee from any others in the room.

Example 2: Describing Immediate Surroundings

  • Sentence: "I have lived in this house for twenty years."
  • Context: The speaker is currently inside or standing right outside the house they are referring to. "This" creates an immediate connection between the speaker and the structure.

Example 3: Demonstrating Action

  • Sentence: "You need to turn the key like this."
  • Context: Here, "this" refers to the specific motion the speaker is currently demonstrating. It acts as a placeholder for a visual action.

Using This for Temporal Nearness

"This" is a critical tool for navigating time. It refers to the present moment, the current day, or a time period that is unfolding right now.

Example 4: Referring to the Current Day

  • Sentence: "I have a lot of meetings scheduled for this afternoon."
  • Context: If today is Monday, "this afternoon" specifically means Monday afternoon. It implies the period has not yet finished or is just about to begin.

Example 5: Defining the Current Week or Year

  • Sentence: "This year has been exceptionally productive for the tech industry."
  • Context: The speaker is referring to the calendar year they are currently living in. Comparing this to "that year" (which would refer to a year in the past) shows how "this" anchors the listener in the present.

Example 6: Immediate Urgency

  • Sentence: "I need you to come here this minute!"
  • Context: In this idiomatic usage, "this minute" functions as a synonym for "immediately" or "now."

Using This as a Pronoun for Ideas and Situations

In professional writing and complex discourse, "this" often functions as a "cohesive device." It refers back to an entire sentence, a paragraph, or a complex situation mentioned previously. This is known as anaphoric reference.

Example 7: Summarizing a Problem

  • Sentence: "The company failed to update its security protocols, leading to a massive data breach. This resulted in a significant loss of consumer trust."
  • Context: In the second sentence, "this" refers to the entire event described in the first sentence (the failure and the breach). Without "this," the writer would have to repeat the entire long phrase, making the text clunky.

Example 8: Reacting to News

  • Sentence: "The flight has been canceled due to a storm. This is terrible news for the holiday travelers."
  • Context: Here, "this" encapsulates the fact of the cancellation. It provides a way to comment on a situation without naming it explicitly again.

Example 9: Introducing a New Concept

  • Sentence: "Listen to this: the new engine design is 40% more efficient than the previous model."
  • Context: In this case, "this" points forward to what is about to be said. It builds anticipation and focuses the listener's attention on the upcoming information.

Using This in Introductions and Identification

"This" is the standard word used for identifying yourself or others in specific social and technological contexts.

Example 10: Introducing People

  • Sentence: "Mom, this is my new roommate, Sarah."
  • Context: When introducing someone who is standing next to you, "this" is the polite and grammatically correct demonstrative to use.

Example 11: Telephone Identification

  • Sentence: "Hello, this is James calling from the marketing department."
  • Context: On the phone, we do not say "I am James" when first identifying ourselves; we use "this is" to announce our identity to the listener.

Example 12: Identifying Voice

  • Sentence: "Is this Sarah?"
  • Context: When you hear a voice but cannot see the person, you use "this" to ask for verification of their identity.

Using This as an Adverb for Emphasis

In spoken English, "this" can function as an adverb to indicate the degree or extent of a quality. This is often accompanied by a physical gesture.

Example 13: Describing Size or Quantity

  • Sentence: "I didn't realize the box would be this heavy."
  • Context: The speaker is emphasizing that the heaviness exceeds their expectations. Often, they might be struggling to lift the box while saying this.

Example 14: Showing Measurement

  • Sentence: "The fish I caught was about this long."
  • Context: The speaker would typically hold their hands apart to demonstrate the length. "This" acts as a linguistic bridge to the physical measurement being shown.

The Technical Context: This in Programming

For developers, "this" takes on a highly specific meaning. In languages like JavaScript, Java, and C++, this is a keyword that refers to the object it belongs to.

Example 15: JavaScript Context

  • Code Example: 
    const person = {
  firstName: "John",
  lastName: "Doe",
  fullName: function() {
    return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
  }
};
  • Explanation: In this example, this refers to the person object. When the fullName function is called, this.firstName retrieves "John" from the owner object. It is a pointer to the current execution context.

Comparisons: This vs. That vs. It

To master "this," one must understand how it differs from its counterparts.

Word Distance Number Usage Note
This Near Singular Used for things close in space, time, or thought.
That Far Singular Used for things distant in space, time, or thought.
These Near Plural The plural version of "this."
Those Far Plural The plural version of "that."
It Neutral Singular A personal pronoun used when the object has already been clearly identified and doesn't need "pointing."

Contextual Comparison: This vs. It

  • Scenario A: "I found a wallet. This is what I was looking for." (Emphasis on the specific object found).
  • Scenario B: "I found a wallet. It was under the table." (Simple factual reference to the wallet).

"This" provides more focus and emphasis than "it." Use "this" when you want to draw the listener's attention specifically to the item as a new or important focal point.

Advanced Writing Tip: Avoiding the Vague This

One common pitfall in academic and professional writing is the "vague this." This occurs when a writer uses "this" at the start of a sentence, but it isn't clear what exactly "this" is referring to.

  • Weak: "The economy is slowing down, inflation is rising, and unemployment is high. This is a problem." (What is the problem? The inflation? The whole situation?)
  • Stronger: "The economy is slowing down, inflation is rising, and unemployment is high. This economic trifecta poses a significant challenge for policymakers."

By adding a noun after "this" (e.g., this situation, this discrepancy, this trend), you ensure absolute clarity for the reader.

Summary of Usage Patterns

  • Spatial: Points to something you can touch or see nearby.
  • Temporal: Refers to now, today, or the upcoming immediate period.
  • Discourse: Connects sentences by referring to previously mentioned ideas.
  • Emotional: Creates a sense of intimacy or involvement with the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plural of this?

The plural form of "this" is "these." You use "these" for multiple items that are close to you. For example: "This book is mine, but these books are yours."

When should I use "this" instead of "that"?

Use "this" for things that are close to you (physically or in time). Use "that" for things that are farther away. For example, if you are holding a pen, you say "this pen." If the pen is across the room on a desk, you say "that pen."

Can "this" refer to a person?

Yes, but primarily in introductions (e.g., "This is my brother") or when identifying someone in a photo or on the phone. In most other cases, using "this" for a person can sound dehumanizing; instead, use "he," "she," or "this person."

Is "this" a pronoun or an adjective?

It can be both. When it stands alone (e.g., "This is fun"), it is a demonstrative pronoun. When it modifies a noun (e.g., "This car is fast"), it is a demonstrative determiner (often called a demonstrative adjective).

How do I use "this" in formal writing?

In formal writing, "this" is excellent for linking ideas. However, to avoid ambiguity, it is often best to follow "this" with a summary noun. Instead of saying "This proves that...", say "This evidence proves that..." to ensure your reader knows exactly which evidence you are referring to.