This vs. That – Which is Correct?
“Because of this or that” is grammatically correct when you mean that one of several unspecified causes produced a result. Use “this” for something closer, current, or newly mentioned, and “that” for something more distant, previously mentioned, or less immediate. Neither word is inherently more correct; context determines choice here.
Similar context-sensitive choices arise in relative clauses, including “Which are” vs. “That are”.
This or That – Which is Correct?
“This” and “that” are both correct words. They are demonstrative pronouns or determiners, and the choice depends on distance, time, emphasis, and context. In the phrase because of this or that, the speaker means “because of one reason or another” without naming the exact reason.
Use this for an idea, event, object, or situation that feels close to the speaker, is happening now, or has just been introduced. Use that for something more distant, completed, previously mentioned, or viewed with less immediacy.
For example, Because of this or that, the schedule changed suggests that the exact cause is not important or is deliberately left unspecified. The phrase is grammatical, but in formal writing, a more precise explanation is often stronger.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the distance test: this points toward something nearby, while that points away toward something farther off. The distance may be physical, temporal, or conversational.
- This: “I am dealing with this problem right now.”
- That: “We solved that problem last month.”
When you say this or that, you are pointing to alternatives without identifying either one specifically. The phrase often has the same general meaning as one thing or another or one reason or another.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| This | Demonstrative pronoun or determiner | A nearby, current, or newly mentioned person, thing, or idea | Because of this, we changed the plan. |
| That | Demonstrative pronoun, determiner, or conjunction | A more distant, completed, or previously mentioned person, thing, or idea | Because of that, the project was delayed. |
How to Use This
This identifies a singular noun or idea that is close to the speaker or writer. It can refer to a physical object nearby, a current circumstance, or a statement that has just been made. As a determiner, it comes before a noun; as a pronoun, it stands alone.
In the phrase because of this, this usually refers to a current fact, action, or consequence. It can also introduce an explanation or draw attention to something that the audience should consider immediately.
Example 1: Because of this new information, the committee postponed its decision.
Example 2: The roads are icy. Because of this, drivers should reduce their speed.
Example 3: Please review this before submitting the application.
Etymology of the Word This
This comes from Old English þes, meaning “this” or “this one.” It developed from an early Germanic demonstrative system used to distinguish something nearby from something farther away. Related forms appear in several Germanic languages.
How to Use That
That identifies a singular noun or idea that is physically distant, separated in time, previously mentioned, or treated as less immediate. It can function as a demonstrative determiner, a demonstrative pronoun, or a conjunction introducing a clause.
In the phrase because of that, that commonly points back to an earlier statement or event. It can also create emotional distance, especially when the speaker does not want to repeat or emphasize the precise cause.
Example 1: The forecast predicted heavy snow. Because of that, the school closed early.
Example 2: I understand that concern, but it does not change the final decision.
Example 3: That was the most difficult part of the journey.
Etymology of the Word That
That developed from Old English þæt, the neuter form of the demonstrative meaning “that” or “the.” Over time, it became a general demonstrative pronoun and determiner. It also evolved into a conjunction used to introduce clauses, as in She said that she was ready.
Related Concepts
Understanding demonstratives and cause-and-effect expressions makes the difference between this and that easier to recognize.
- Demonstrative pronouns: Words such as this, that, these, and those point to people, objects, events, or ideas. The singular forms are this and that; the plural forms are these and those.
- Demonstrative determiners: A demonstrative determiner comes before a noun, as in this problem or that decision. It helps identify which person, object, or idea the writer means.
- Cause-and-effect expressions: Phrases such as because of this, because of that, and as a result explain why something happened or what consequence followed.
- Vague reference: The phrase this or that leaves the exact choice unspecified. It is useful when the alternatives are unimportant, obvious from context, or intentionally omitted.
Examples from Media and Literature
The distinction between this and that appears frequently in journalism, fiction, film dialogue, and everyday commentary.
- News reporting: A report may state, “The agency introduced new safety measures. Because of this, inspections will increase,” using this to refer to the immediately preceding announcement.
- Historical writing: A historian might write, “The treaty failed to prevent further conflict. Because of that, leaders sought a different diplomatic strategy,” using that to refer to a completed earlier event.
- Film dialogue: A character holding up a damaged object could say, “Because of this, we cannot continue,” using this for something physically present.
- Fictional narration: After describing a character’s earlier mistake, a narrator might write, “Because of that, she avoided the town for years,” using that for a past event.
- Everyday speech: Someone who does not want to list every possible explanation may say, “Because of this or that, the meeting was postponed,” meaning that one unspecified reason caused the delay.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence: this or that.
- The instructions have changed. Because of ___, please download the new form.
- We missed the train yesterday, and because of ___, we arrived late.
- Hold ___ document up to the scanner.
- Because of ___ or ___, the delivery may arrive after noon.
- I remember ___ summer when we traveled across the country.
Answer Key
- this — It refers to a newly mentioned, current change.
- that — It refers to a completed event in the past.
- this — The document is physically near the speaker.
- this and that — The combination expresses unspecified alternatives.
- that — The summer is a past period viewed as distant in time.
This Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| The present one | The person, thing, or idea being discussed now |
| The current matter | The situation or subject immediately under consideration |
| Here | A context-based substitute indicating nearness or immediacy |
That Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| The former matter | A previously mentioned situation or subject |
| The other one | A person, object, or idea distinguished from another |
| There | A context-based substitute indicating distance or separation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “because of this or that” grammatically correct?
Yes. The phrase is grammatically correct and means that one unspecified reason among several caused a result. It is more common in conversational or informal writing than in highly precise formal prose.
Question 2: Should I write “because of this” or “because of that”?
Use because of this for a current or immediately mentioned cause. Use because of that for a previously discussed, completed, or more distant cause. Both expressions are correct.
Question 3: What does “this or that” mean?
“This or that” refers to one option or another without specifying which one. In because of this or that, it means “because of one reason or another.”
Conclusion
Because of this or that is a correct phrase, and both this and that are valid American English words. Choose this for something close, current, or newly mentioned, and that for something distant, past, or previously discussed. Use more specific wording in professional documents whenever the exact cause matters. Pro tip: Precise demonstrative choices make your writing clearer and help protect your professional reputation.
