This or that or it

Question

They learn how to assemble and dismantle a heavy machine gun. Half an hour on this, then on to another lesson - perhaps the mechanics of firing a mortar shell with accuracy or how to handle an AK47.
This is how Libya's rebel army is being trained.

I read the previous piece this mornin gin the news and I wondered is that the correct use of the word "this". Shouldnt it be that or it? Is using "this" in such a way correct?

KrisBlueNZ · Accepted Answer

I see what you mean, but this is a figure of speech.
The first paragraph is a description of what is happening, almost documentary-style.
This happens, then they learn about this, then they spend some time on heavy machine guns.
It all creates an image in the reader's mind.
The reader imagines the Libyan rebels learning little bits about various things.
Then, the article returns to reality, with "THIS IS HOW ..."
Imagine a news reporter watching a documentary, which shows how the rebels are being trained.
When the documentary footage finishes, he starts commenting on it.
His first comment is, "THIS (referring to the documentary footage) IS HOW Libya's rebel army is being trained".

It's a way of disconnecting the first part, the documentary-style report showing examples of Libyan resistance fighter training, from the words of the reporter.
It's perfectly valid and normal.

Ivanhr · Answer

"This" is used correctly in your example. "This" is the most obvious choice when you want to give more emphasis to a new situation, event, subject etc. While all "it", "this" and "that" can be used to refer back to what's already been said, "this" and "that" are simply more emphatic than "it". According to Swan, "this" is also preferred when the speaker has more to say about a new subject of discussion.

Having said that, "it" doesn't really work in that sentence. For instance you might say

It is how Libya's rebel army is being trained that'll make the difference between victory and defeat. (~~This is how Libya's rebel army is being trained that'll make the difference between victory and defeat~~)

Anonymous · Answer

Ivanhr"This" is used correctly in your example. "This" is the most obvious choice when you want to give more emphasis to a new situation, event, subject etc. While all "it", "this" and "that" can be used to refer back to what's already been said, "this" and "that" are simply more emphatic than "it". According to Swan, "this" is also preferred when the speaker has more to say about a new subject of discussion.

Yeah, exactly. What he said. :-)

This or that or it

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