This vs. That – Which is Correct?

Both “this” and “that” are correct English words, but they point to different things or express different distances and perspectives. “This” usually identifies something near the speaker, current, or newly introduced; “that” often identifies something farther away, previously mentioned, or less immediate. Context determines the best choice in each sentence.

This or That – Which is Correct?

“This” and “that” are both correct. They are demonstrative words used to identify people, objects, ideas, times, or situations. The main difference is perspective: this generally refers to something near, current, or connected to the speaker, while that commonly refers to something farther away, less immediate, or already discussed.

Both words can function as determiners before nouns or as pronouns that stand alone. For example, you can say, “I prefer this book,” or simply, “I prefer this.” You can also use them to discuss abstract ideas, as in “This is important” and “That was surprising.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the distance test: imagine pointing at the subject. If it is close to you, current in the conversation, or directly connected to your experience, choose this. If it seems farther away, belongs to the past, or has already been mentioned, choose that.

A second useful memory trick is the plural swap: this becomes these, while that becomes those. The pairs follow the same general pattern: this/these for nearer things and that/those for more distant things.

How to Use This

This points to a singular person, object, idea, event, or period that is physically near the speaker or mentally close to the current discussion. It can introduce a subject, emphasize something happening now, or refer to an experience that the speaker considers immediate or relevant.

As a determiner, this comes directly before a singular noun. As a pronoun, it stands alone. It is common in casual and formal writing, although repeated use can sometimes sound emphatic or conversational.

Example 1: This computer runs much faster than my old one.

Example 2: This is the most important point in the report.

Example 3: I have been thinking about this all morning.

What are the different forms of This?

This is singular and generally refers to one nearby or immediate person or thing. Its plural counterpart is these, as in “this idea” and “these ideas.” The word does not change for gender, and it does not have comparative or superlative forms.

In time expressions, this can refer to the present period: “this week,” “this month,” or “this year.” It can also introduce information that follows, as in “This is what I mean.”

Etymology of the word This

This developed from Old English forms such as þes and þis. It is related to other Germanic demonstratives and has retained its basic function of identifying something near the speaker. Its plural form, these, developed through historical sound changes in English.

How to Use That

That commonly identifies a singular person, object, idea, event, or period that is physically farther away or less immediate to the speaker. It can also refer to something already mentioned, something belonging to the past, or an idea viewed with emotional or conversational distance.

As a determiner, that comes before a singular noun. As a pronoun, it can stand alone. In addition to its demonstrative uses, that can function as a conjunction, as in “She said that she was ready,” and as a relative pronoun, as in “The book that I bought is excellent.”

Example 1: That house across the street has been empty for years.

Example 2: I remember that conversation clearly.

Example 3: That was an impressive performance.

What are the different forms of That?

That is singular and generally identifies one more distant, less immediate, or previously mentioned person or thing. Its plural counterpart is those, as in “that problem” and “those problems.” Like this, it does not change according to gender and has no comparative or superlative forms.

That also has important grammatical uses beyond pointing. It may introduce a clause, connect a noun to additional information, or refer back to an entire idea: “The weather changed, and that caused delays.”

Etymology of the word That

That comes from Old English þæt, the neuter form of the demonstrative system related to the. Over time, it developed into a versatile English word used for demonstration, clause introduction, and relative clauses. Its plural form is those.

Related Concepts

Understanding demonstratives, number, and grammatical reference makes it easier to choose between this and that.

• Demonstrative determiners: Demonstrative determiners identify nouns by distance or conversational position. The main pairs are this/these and that/those.
• Demonstrative pronouns: A demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun rather than modifying one. For example, “This is mine” and “That looks expensive.”
• Singular and plural agreement: This and that are singular, while these and those are plural. The noun or verb in the sentence should agree with the form used.
• Deixis: Deixis describes words whose meanings depend on context, including the speaker’s location, time, or viewpoint. The meaning of this and that can change depending on who is speaking.
• Relative clauses: That can introduce a clause that gives more information about a noun, as in “The movie that we watched was funny.”

Examples from Media and Literature

Titles and familiar expressions demonstrate how writers use this and that to create immediacy, distance, emphasis, or contrast.

• This Side of Paradise: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s title uses this to suggest a particular present location, condition, or perspective.
• This Is Spinal Tap: The film title uses this to present the subject directly and immediately to the audience.
• That Thing You Do!: The film title uses that to refer to a specific thing that is identifiable from context.
• “That was then; this is now”: This common expression contrasts a past situation with the present one.
• News reporting: Articles often use phrases such as “this decision” for a newly announced action and “that decision” when referring back to an action already discussed.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. Could you pass me ___ notebook beside your hand?
2. ___ is the best explanation I have heard so far.
3. I cannot believe ___ happened last year.
4. ___ shoes I am wearing are brand new.
5. We should discuss ___ proposal that you mentioned yesterday.

Answer Key

1. that — The notebook is near the listener rather than the speaker.
2. this — The explanation is current and immediately relevant.
3. that — The event belongs to the past and is less immediate.
4. these — The plural form of this refers to nearby shoes.
5. that — The proposal was previously mentioned.

This Synonyms

That Synonyms

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “this or that” grammatically correct?
Yes. “This or that” is a correct phrase used to present two alternatives. It can refer to physical objects, ideas, choices, or unspecified possibilities.

Question 2: What is the difference between “this” and “that”?
“This” usually refers to something near, current, or closely connected to the speaker. “That” usually refers to something farther away, previously mentioned, less immediate, or viewed from a greater distance.

Question 3: What are the plural forms of “this” and “that”?
The plural form of this is these, and the plural form of that is those. For example, “this book” becomes “these books,” while “that book” becomes “those books.”

Conclusion

This and that are both correct, but they express different relationships to distance, time, context, and perspective. Choose this for something near or immediate and that for something farther away, previously mentioned, or less immediate. Pro Tip: Using demonstratives precisely makes professional writing clearer and helps readers follow your ideas without confusion.