Just like that/this

Question

Hello,Could anybody please tell me, if there's any difference between saying "just like that" and "just like this"?(e.g. He came over to give me a flower. Just like that/this.; He slapped him in the face, just like that/this...etc)And is there any difference between "came over" and "stopped by"?Sorry for multiply question, but I always have so much to ask...:-)) Thak you for your reply. Lenka.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Hi Lena. Welcome to English Forums.

Lenka.ould anybody please tell me, if there's any difference between saying "just like that" and "just like this"?
(e.g. He came over to give me a flower. Just like that/this.; He slapped him in the face, just like that/this...etc)

So, it's rather a wide quiestion. In your examples I guess there is no difference, but time perhaps. Let's imagine.

John slapped Jam on the face. Susan saw it and told her friend who saw it too about it. "John slapped Jam just like that". She doesn't show how it was.
But Susan can show in a rather playful way how John slammed Jam. "John slammed Jam just like this".. and slams on her friend lightly as to show how it was. It's just a scenario.

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I can't find right now a wonderful Post by CalifJim about that/this-subject. I would appreciate if he links us towards it.

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Lenka.nd is there any difference between "came over" and "stopped by"?

I guess the difference is slight. Stop by is more informal and can express a less period of time the place the person is in.

Let's wait for natives for more precise explanations.

Lenka. · Answer

Hi Fandorin,
Thank you for your reply! Your scenario is delightful

, but I’m not sure if phrase “Just like that” has to show what exactly happened; more likely it’s saying that something unexpected happened. He slapped him in the face, just like that/this. (I can’t believe he did it; it was so unexpected…). My friend stopped by to give me a flower. Just like that/this. (He had no reason to do it). Like I said, I’m not sure, but (somehow) I understand it in this way.

Nevertheless, I know what the difference between this and that is, but in this case (idiom for expression of something unexpected, of something happening without any further discussion, expectation or whatever…) I'm not sure about the difference here.

I'm also curious what will natives say!

CalifJim · Answer

The idiom that expresses that an action was sudden and unexpected is just like that, not just like this.

just like this accompanies a demonstration or the miming of the action in question.

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BTW

An alternate idiom for this kind of action is up and before the verb: He up and slapped him in the face. (Don't try to figure out the grammar. It makes no sense grammatically!)

CJ

Lenka. · Answer

So that's the difference!

I had no clue that idiom is just the one with "that". Thank you very much CJ!

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you CJ. I may repeat myself, but you always keep an ace up your sleeve and I am always spellbound and eager to get something interesting from you. Since I joined the forum, my knowledge has been getting across to a new, vital level. Thank you <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Just like that/this

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