this

A child points to this box on the table.

Definition

1. Determiner:

   • Referring to a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated or experienced: "this" points to something near in space, time, or thought.
   • Referring to the present or current: "this" indicates something happening now or in the immediate context.

2. Pronoun:

   • The person or thing just mentioned or present: "this" stands for a specific entity already known or visible.
   • The present situation or state: "this" can refer to the current event or circumstance.

3. Adverb:

   • To such a degree; so: "this" is used to emphasize the extent of something, often with a demonstrative gesture.

Usage Examples

• Determiner:

  • This book is very interesting. (Referring to a book close to the speaker.)
  • I will see you this evening. (The current day's evening.)
  • This problem needs immediate attention. (The specific problem being discussed.)

• Pronoun:

  • This is my house. (Pointing to the house nearby.)
  • This is what I meant. (Referring to the idea just expressed.)
  • I don't like this at all. (Referring to the present situation or object.)

• Adverb:

  • I didn't know it would be this easy. (To such a degree of ease.)
  • He can run this fast. (As fast as demonstrated.)

Advanced Usage

• "this" as a discourse marker: Used to introduce a new topic or emphasize a point.

  • This is the key issue: we need more time. (Introducing the main topic.)

• "this" in time expressions: Referring to the present or very recent past.

  • I haven't seen him this week. (The current week.)
  • This morning I felt tired. (The morning of today.)

• "this" in contrastive constructions: Used to distinguish from "that" for emphasis.

  • I prefer this colour, not that one. (The closer colour vs. the farther one.)

Variants and Related Words

• These (plural of "this"): referring to multiple items near in space or time.

  • These apples are fresh. (The apples close by.)

• Thisness (n, rare): the quality of being this specific thing; haecceity.

  • The thisness of the moment is unforgettable. (The unique quality of the present experience.)

Synonyms

• The aforementioned: referring to something previously mentioned.
• The present: the current one (e.g., ).
• Such: of the kind just indicated (e.g., ).

Related Idioms

• This and that: various unspecified things.

  • We talked about this and that for hours. (We discussed various trivial topics.)

• This side of: before or not exceeding a limit.

  • We'll finish this side of noon. (Before noon.)

• At this: at this point in time or in the situation.

  • At this, he stood up and left. (Upon hearing or seeing this.)