In difficult times like "this" / "these"?

Question

Hi teachers,"In difficult times like this/these, employers should consider cutting back layoffs."  I read this piece on radio, which claims that "these" is correct, because "these" would agree with "times".  However another host says "this" is indeed correct.  Could you help me with this topic?Thank you.Regards,Tinanam

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

Hi tinanam,

Indeed, "this" is the correct word. "Times" refererred to the previous events from the past. "Like this" descibing what we have seen during the recent economic collapse across the globe.

Dokterjokkebrok · Answer

To me, it seems that if you put the demonstrative first, the first host is right about the concord here.

In difficult times like these,... --> These difficult times

In a difficult time like this,... --> This difficult time

Not completely sure though.

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

"In difficult times like this/these, employers should consider cutting back layoffs."

I agree with the choice of 'these'.

Just an additional comment, that the meaning seems a little odd. Layoffs are normal in difficult times. Is the writer suggesting that prosperous times are more suitable for laying off workers?

Best wishes, Clive

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Happy New Year to you all.

Clive

"In difficult times like this/these, employers should consider cutting back layoffs."

I agree with the choice of 'these'.

Hi Clive,

Could I know if it's because "these" go with "times" the plural?

Thank you.

Tinanam

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yes.

Clive

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Clive Hi guys,

"In difficult times like this/these, employers should consider cutting back layoffs."

I agree with the choice of 'these'.

Just an additional comment, that the meaning seems a little odd. Layoffs are normal in difficult times. Is the writer suggesting that prosperous times are more suitable for laying off workers?

Best wishes, Clive

Hi Clive

From the perspective I was writing with at the time, I actually envisioned "difficult economic time like this (one)", instead of bad cyclical times in general. "This" was used as the ipitomi of the bad time.

I supposed, it really depends on the interpretation of the reader.

CalifJim · Answer

tinanam0102"In difficult times like this/these, employers should consider cutting back layoffs."

...

Could you help me with this topic?You have stumbled upon a peculiarity of English in the usage of the word times, namely that the plural form can be treated as a singular meaning "an interval marked by similar conditions, events, or phenomena; especially, a span of years; era". Example: Edwardian times. (American Heritage Dictionary)

The reference following like should therefore retain the plural set up earlier:

In difficult times like these (times), employers ...
~
In a difficult span of years like this span of years, employers ...
~
In a difficult era like this one, employers ...

There is no way to pluralize this idea using (perhaps) *timeses, and then select '*one times' from among the '*several *timeses'. To show that relationship, it would be better to use another word, like era:

In difficult eras like this one, employers ...

CJ

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Thanks Jim for sharing your thought on the topic. I was so afraid that someone would tell me my preception was a "nonsense". Whew......!<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi teachers,

Thank you for all the help I have received for this topic.

Regards,

Tinanam

In difficult times like "this" / "these"?

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Hi tinanam,

Indeed, "this" is the correct word. "Times" refererred to the previous events from the past. "Like this" descibing what we have seen during the recent economic collapse across the globe.

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