this
determiner
UK/ðɪs/US/ðɪs/
Used to identify a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated or experienced.
Example Sentences
She placed this book on the shelf, carefully aligning it with the other volumes.
Can you pass me this pen over here?
This is the best restaurant in town, known for its delicious food.
She decided to keep this souvenir as a reminder of her trip.
This problem requires a thoughtful solution, considering all possible outcomes.
They have set aside this room for the upcoming meeting, ensuring it is ready for use.
During the presentation, he highlighted this key point to emphasize its importance.
She felt proud of this achievement after months of hard work and dedication.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
pronoun
UK/ðɪs/US/ðɪs/
Used to identify a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated or experienced.
Example Sentences
This is exactly what I was looking for.
She took this and placed it on the table.
If you need anything, just ask me for this.
I can't believe this happened so quickly.
This was a great experience, one I will never forget.
He handed me this and smiled warmly.
This made her very happy, bringing a smile to her face.
I prefer this over the other options, as it suits my needs better.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Points to something immediate or just mentioned.This demonstrative serves as a way to highlight or single out something within close range—either physically in the immediate vicinity or figuratively in the context of a conversation or text. It can function as both a pronoun and a determiner. For example, “This is exactly what I meant,” uses it as a pronoun, indicating a topic or object you've just discussed or shown. Meanwhile, “This idea might work better” employs it as a determiner, placed before a noun (‘idea’) to specify which concept you’re referencing.When used in writing or speech, the term helps guide the audience’s attention to the most relevant item, statement, or argument. In a discussion with someone, you might say, “Let’s consider this point more carefully,” drawing focus to a newly introduced argument. In instructions or how-to contexts, you may direct a user’s action: “Press this button if you want to reset the device.” Because of its immediacy, it underscores proximity: a location you’re standing in, a document you’re holding, or a subject you’ve just introduced. This usage is not merely physical; it can also signal mental nearness: an idea you’re actively exploring or a preceding statement you’re in the process of elaborating.Beyond the literal and immediate, the term can also convey a psychological closeness—something that feels personal or relevant. For instance, “This approach resonates with my earlier experiences,” indicates that the approach in question feels intimately linked to your perspective. Context is critical: overusing or ambiguously using the word may confuse readers or listeners about what you’re pointing to. Consequently, if you’ve mentioned multiple items or ideas, clarifying your reference with a short descriptive phrase (“this strategy,” “this chapter,” “this photograph”) can ensure that your audience follows your train of thought.In more abstract discussions, the term can be paired with conceptual nouns—like “this problem,” “this theory,” or “this opportunity”—to strengthen the link between your attention and the idea at hand. When you want to transition from an abstract notion to a concrete example, you might say, “Let’s break down this concept into smaller parts,” thus signaling the move from general to specific. By using the demonstrative judiciously, you strike a balance between brevity and clarity, ensuring that readers and listeners stay aligned with whichever element or idea you’re spotlighting. Finally, it helps keep your narrative cohesive, allowing you to seamlessly shift from one focus to another, as long as you maintain clarity on which subject “this” references. Through consistent, mindful use, you leverage a powerful linguistic tool that effectively draws attention to precisely the topic, object, or issue you deem most relevant at any given moment.
Alternatives
When highlighting something physically or contextually near, you can sometimes switch to synonyms or related expressions, though none perfectly replicate the brevity or directness of this term. For instance, “the following” can stand in when you introduce points or a list—“Consider the following points”—especially in more formal contexts. If you want to emphasize an immediate object without a demonstrative, you might say “the item here” or “the concept at hand,” though these phrases can feel wordy or archaic in modern speech. Phrases like “the one right here” add color, but they suit more casual or dramatic narratives, often relying on a gesture or strong context to be clear.In purely written contexts, another option is to reference the specific noun: “this policy” can be replaced by “the new policy,” or “the policy just introduced.” But these substitutions slightly shift emphasis, often making the reference sound more detached or formal. For intangible ideas, you might slip in “the idea just mentioned” or “the point under discussion,” depending on whether you aim for a more academic style. Be aware that some replacements may lose the concise immediacy of the original demonstrative. Meanwhile, employing synonyms like “that” changes the meaning, as it generally signals distance—physical or conceptual—between the speaker and the object or idea. Hence, the best alternative depends largely on your tone, audience, and the context in which you’re communicating. Substitutes are valuable for avoiding repetition or achieving a particular style, but none quite replicate the direct closeness conveyed by this pointer.
Writing
When writing, 'this' can be an elegant way to tie sentences or paragraphs together, guiding your audience from one idea to the next. Whether you’re crafting academic essays, business proposals, or narrative prose, the demonstrative helps pinpoint the topic you’re elaborating on. That said, be wary of leaving it ambiguous. If multiple ideas or references have been introduced, ensure each instance of 'this' neatly links to the exact subject you’re focusing on—commonly done by following it with a clarifying noun, such as 'this method' or 'this perspective.'Relying too heavily on the standalone demonstrative—'This is important,' 'This suggests we proceed differently'—can lead to vagueness if readers aren’t sure which idea you’re referencing. Instead, consider rephrasing for extra clarity. For example, 'This indicates a need for change,' could become 'This decline in sales indicates a need for change.' By specifying 'decline in sales,' you anchor 'this' in a concrete reference. In longer essays, you can use the demonstrative to hand off from one section to another: 'This leads us to the next critical point: budgeting.' Such transitions help maintain a coherent flow, ensuring readers track your argument or narrative effortlessly. Striking a balance between succinctness and clarity is key. Ultimately, 'this' functions as a linguistic spotlight, letting you turn attention precisely where you want it without lengthy recaps or repeated definitions.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, 'this' acts as a handy pointer that keeps dialogue immediate and direct. For instance, if you’re showing someone your phone screen, you might say, 'Look at this app I just downloaded.' You don’t need to spell out the app’s name if you’re simply sharing an on-the-spot discovery. Likewise, while telling a story, 'this' can elevate a moment’s urgency or highlight a recent event—'So, this weird thing happened to me on my way here.' Because you’re presumably in the same space or following the same thread of thought, your listener usually understands the reference.Moreover, the term shapes casual dialogue by conveying excitement or disbelief: 'Listen to this—you're not going to believe what happened!' In group settings, it helps gather everyone’s attention: 'Guys, this is serious. We need to figure out our plan.' If context is limited, though—like texting someone out of the blue—be sure to give a bit more background so they know what 'this' stands for. Otherwise, 'Check this out' might leave them confused if they don’t see any links or attachments. Another advantage is that 'this' lets you switch subjects quickly or emphasize a new point without sounding overly formal or repetitious. Used moderately, it can keep chat flowing and add a personal, in-the-moment touch to your communication, ensuring you highlight exactly what you want your friends or family to notice or contemplate.
Etymology
The English term 'this' descends from Old English 'þis,' itself drawn from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'this, near in place or time.' Early Germanic languages often distinguished proximity (like 'this') from distance (like 'that'), a linguistic feature still seen in many modern tongues. In Old English, demonstratives had multiple forms based on case and gender, reflecting an older, more complex grammatical system. Over time, Middle English simplified these inflections, merging many separate forms into the single 'this' for singular, nearby references, and 'these' for plural.The use of demonstratives as both pronouns and determiners is a legacy of these older linguistic structures. Early scribes and translations, including biblical texts, frequently employed 'this' to draw readers’ attention to an immediate context or to emphasize a crucial detail in a narrative. As Middle English gave way to Early Modern English, many of the complexities faded, but the core role—marking something close by or contextually significant—persisted. Innovations in printing and the spread of standardized texts helped consolidate the spelling and usage. Today, 'this' remains a hallmark of direct reference, bridging everything from mundane daily pointers ('Take this seat') to sophisticated academic discussions ('This model explains the observed phenomenon'). Its longstanding presence underscores the continuous human need to differentiate items, concepts, or arguments by their closeness or relevance.
