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Tung Quoc Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
This, that, it
Hi all,
1/ In case of replacing a clause (both subject and object), do you think it, this, that have the same meaning and interchangeable? If not, how to distinguish them?Please give me rules and examples to distinguish them)
EX: Tom can't find the job, but it doesn't seem to bother him. = Tom can't find the job, but that doesn't seem to bother him. =Tom can't find the job, but this doesn't seem to bother him. (subject)
The shop is closing down. Who told you it?=The shop is closing down. Who told you that?=The shop is closing down. Who told you this? (object)
You have saved my life, I’m sure of it. =You have saved my life, I’m sure of that.
=You have saved my life, I’m sure of this. (object)
2/ In case of referring back to some previously mentioned item or object (both subject and object),do you think it, this, that have the same meaning and interchangeable? If not, how to distinguish them?Please give me rules and examples to distinguish them).
Thanks
Quoc
1/ In case of replacing a clause (both subject and object), do you think it, this, that have the same meaning and interchangeable? If not, how to distinguish them?Please give me rules and examples to distinguish them)
EX: Tom can't find the job, but it doesn't seem to bother him. = Tom can't find the job, but that doesn't seem to bother him. =Tom can't find the job, but this doesn't seem to bother him. (subject)
The shop is closing down. Who told you it?=The shop is closing down. Who told you that?=The shop is closing down. Who told you this? (object)
You have saved my life, I’m sure of it. =You have saved my life, I’m sure of that.
=You have saved my life, I’m sure of this. (object)
2/ In case of referring back to some previously mentioned item or object (both subject and object),do you think it, this, that have the same meaning and interchangeable? If not, how to distinguish them?Please give me rules and examples to distinguish them).
Thanks
Quoc
Top answer
In the sentence, "The shop is closing down. " It would not be used here. This or that would be fine.
- In the sentence, "The shop is closing down.
- " It would not be used here.
- This or that would be fine.
- Using it would seem strange.
- The other examples can use it , that , or this .
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4 Answers
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In the sentence, "The shop is closing down. Who told you it?" It would not be used here. This or that would be fine. Using it would seem strange. The other examples can use it, that, or this.
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Hi,
You wrote:
The other examples can use it, that, or this.
That means,normally, we can use that, this or it to refer either a mentioned clause or a mentioned item (object...). Right?
Quoc
You wrote:
The other examples can use it, that, or this.
That means,normally, we can use that, this or it to refer either a mentioned clause or a mentioned item (object...). Right?
Quoc
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I don't think that "this" is generally a good first choice for situations like "I'm sure of this" or "Who told you this?"
With objects, a good rule is that if the object is close enough to touch, use "this." For example: I hand my purse to someone and say "Could you hold this for me for a moment while I tie my shoe?"
With objects, a good rule is that if the object is close enough to touch, use "this." For example: I hand my purse to someone and say "Could you hold this for me for a moment while I tie my shoe?"
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This and That usually refer back to the whole idea of the previous statement.
We went to the pub and I liked this/that. (meaning 'I liked going to the pub')
We went to the pub and I liked it. (meaning 'I liked the pub)
This is at least what I've been told by my teacher. In different sources, I've found some other rules of using them though. Swan say that 'this/that' ref
We went to the pub and I liked this/that. (meaning 'I liked going to the pub')
We went to the pub and I liked it. (meaning 'I liked the pub)
This is at least what I've been told by my teacher. In different sources, I've found some other rules of using them though. Swan say that 'this/that' ref
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