McG

Question

Talking to a physican about x-rays I just took:

When will Doctor McG get these/them/those?

and

Congratulations on/for graduating college.

and

Talking to physician about something:

We haven't discussed it/that/this yet.

Please help pick the right one. Thanks!

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

It's usually 'congratulations on . . . . '.

As for your other questions, let's consider a much simpler example.

You and I are standing in a room that contains a chair.
Which could you say, and why?
Clive, look at this.
Clive, look at that.
Clive, look at it.

Clive

PreciousJones · Answer

CliveHi,It's usually 'congratulations on . . . . '.As for your other questions, let's consider a much simpler example.You and I are standing in a room that contains a chair.Which could you say, and why?Clive, look at this.Clive, look at that.Clive, look at it.Clive

I would say look at it.

What about using these/those/them?

I just finished taking an xray and I ask the physician when will Doc McG get these?

Would that be okay?

Thanks!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

If you say 'Look at it', how will I know whether you are talking about the wall, or the door, or the chair?

You could also say 'Look at this' or 'Look at that'. Why would you say these things? What's the difference?

I'm trying to help give you an understanding of these pronouns.
Until you understand a simple example, you won't really understand a less simple one.

Clive

PreciousJones · Answer

CliveHi,If you say 'Look at it', how will I know whether you are talking about the wall, or the door, or the chair?You could also say 'Look at this' or 'Look at that'. Why would you say these things? What's the difference?I'm trying to help give you an understanding of these pronouns.Until you understand a simple example, you won't really understand a less simple one.Clive

Look at that.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I think you are just guessing which one to say.

Let me explain a little about the basic idea.

Clive, look at this.
Clive, look at that.
Use these pronouns if you want to show me the chair, eg by pointing to it.
Use 'this' if you think the chair is close to you.
Use 'that' if you think the chair is far away from you.
This idea of showing or pointing is why these words are called demonstrative pronouns.

At a more advanced level, things can be near or far in a more figurative sense, but we won't discuss that right now.,

Clive, look at it.
The pronoun 'it' just refers to a thing without any idea of showing or pointing.
It shows the listener that you think he is already aware of the thing, usually because it has already been mentioned in the conversation.

The same explanation applies to the plural forms them/these/those.

PJ, you need to be clear on what I have explained, or you will never be able to use these terms properly in examples like the ones you have in your original post.

Clive

PreciousJones · Answer

CliveHi,I think you are just guessing which one to say.Let me explain a little about the basic idea.Clive, look at this.Clive, look at that.Use these pronouns if you want to show me the chair, eg by pointing to it.Use 'this' if you think the chair is close to you.Use 'that' if you think the chair is far away from you.This idea of showing or pointing is why these words are called demonstrative pronouns.At a more advanced level, things can be near or far in a more figurative sense, but we won't discuss that right now., Clive, look at it.The pronoun 'it' just refers to a thing without any idea of showing or pointing. It shows the listener that you think he is already aware of the thing, usually because it has already been mentioned in the conversation.The same explanation applies to the plural forms them/these/those. PJ, you need to be clear on what I have explained, or you will never be able to use these terms properly in examples like the ones you have in your original post.Clive

Thank you!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Talking to a physican about x-rays I just had ~~took~~:

When will Doctor McG get these/them/those?

Now think about why you would choose to say 'these' or 'those'. Think about physical space. Where are the x-rays?

Clive

PreciousJones · Answer

The x-rays are yet to be seen, so I guess they're still being made.

I guess I would use, 'these' or 'them'?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yes.

them is kind of a neutral word.

these suggests you feel the x-rays are 'close in terms of being the reason for your visit', rather than 'close in terms of physical space'.

those does not sound like a suitable choice.

Clive

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