0
Peaceblinkfriend Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

This or that

It is inevitable that a lot of emphasis will be put on establishing those who are responsible because that/this is, perhaps unfortunately, the time-honoured fashion of providing justification for action.

Hi all

Long time no see. I was wondering if I should use this or that here.

Thanks

PBF
  

Top answer

You can use either, but 'this' tends to draw the reader in while 'that' tends to set the reader at a perspective. We generally use 'this' for positive, approved things and 'that' for negative, disapproved things: 'this' associates the speaker more closely with the referent, while 'that' distances him.

— Mister Micawber

  • You can use either, but 'this' tends to draw the reader in while 'that' tends to set the reader at a perspective.
  • We generally use 'this' for positive, approved things and 'that' for negative, disapproved things: 'this' associates the speaker more closely with the referent, while 'that' distances him.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
You can use either, but 'this' tends to draw the reader in while 'that' tends to set the reader at a perspective. We generally use 'this' for positive, approved things and 'that' for negative, disapproved things: 'this' associates the speaker more closely with the referent, while 'that' distances him.
0
0
You explained it very clearly. Thanks MM.
0
0
And thank you. I'm not always able to do that.
0

Related Questions