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M_bat Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"That"or "This"??

hi everybody..

My question is about "that" and "this".... i've learnt that "that"is used to refer to something or someone distant whereas "this" is used for close objects.... but i've noticed in many conversations that "that" is much more used in both cases. For example "that is the pen i'm looking for" eventhough it is close.... also, which is more correct: "that's a great idea" or "this is a great idea"?

thanx a bunch
  

Top answer

" That's a great idea.

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  • " That's a great idea.
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5 Answers
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If you can point to it, you can use "that." If you are holding it, use "this."

"Ah," she said, bending down to pick up the ostrich feather, "this is the clue I've been looking for."

"Ah," she said, pointing to the lipstick smudge on the rim of the glass, "that is the clue I've been looking for."

Generally, abstract ideas take "that." That's a great idea.
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Hi,
you are right. "This" is for things that are near or you feel they are near, "that" for things that are distant or you feel they are distant. Now, since no one can tell how near a thing has to be in order to be considered near... (is five feet near?), it depends on your interpretation and the context. Often both are ok. And you are right, you'll hear "that" more often.
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Thanks Grammar Geek for the clear answer and explanation Emotion: smile

Thanks Kooyeen for your reply
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If you would like additional information on "this", "that", and "it" at the beginning of a sentence, you may be interested in .

CJ
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