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Nugso Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
This/That + Adjective
Hi. Is there any difference between this and that in the following sentences, please?
According to Merriam-Webster, that is mostly used in negative sentences. I can use the following two sentences in an on-line chat as well in a face-to-face conversation, right?
You're not that attractive. (This one is correct and natural I think.)
You're not this attractive. ( This one is correct but unnatural.)
And this is indicated by a gesture. I have to use it in a face-to-face conversation. Right?
I like my car this big. ( This one is correct and natural.)
I like my car that big. ( This one is correct and natural too.)
According to Merriam-Webster, that is mostly used in negative sentences. I can use the following two sentences in an on-line chat as well in a face-to-face conversation, right?
You're not that attractive. (This one is correct and natural I think.)
You're not this attractive. ( This one is correct but unnatural.)
And this is indicated by a gesture. I have to use it in a face-to-face conversation. Right?
I like my car this big. ( This one is correct and natural.)
I like my car that big. ( This one is correct and natural too.)
Top answer
g. , the meaning of "not that" is idiomatically "not very", "not as much as might be hoped/expected", "not as much as was suggested", or similar. The word "this" cannot be used for this meaning.
- g.
- , the meaning of "not that" is idiomatically "not very", "not as much as might be hoped/expected", "not as much as was suggested", or similar.
- The word "this" cannot be used for this meaning.
- In the corresponding positive phrases, "this" and "that" usually have a demonstrative sense.
- For example, "I like my car this/that big" usually refers to a certain size that is demonstrated.
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2 Answers
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In "not that + adj." phrases, e.g. "You're not that attractive", "It's not that hot", "London is not that expensive", etc., the meaning of "not that" is idiomatically "not very", "not as much as might be hoped/expected", "not as much as was suggested", or similar. The word "this" cannot be used for this meaning.
In the corresponding positive phrases, "this" and "that" usually have a demon
In the corresponding positive phrases, "this" and "that" usually have a demon
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Thank you very much for the clear explanation GPY.
GPYProbably you realise that "You're not that attractive" is not a polite thing to say.I know. I just couldn't think of a better example.
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