This

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'this' can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce or emphasize a point, or to refer to something that you have just mentioned. For example: "This is a great book. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is wrong".

The New York Times

But is this right?

The New York Times

This is probably true.

The New York Times

There is a reason for this.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't always like this, of course.

The New York Times - Travel

This list is far from exhaustive.

The Guardian

As an environmentalist, and someone who believes that everyone in this world has a right to a healthy and nutritious diet of their choosing, I could not have chosen a more counter-productive path.

The New York Times

What explains this?

The New York Times

This was a mistake.

The New York Times

This is hardly surprising.

The New York Times - Sports

How to explain this?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "This" to clearly indicate the specific item, idea, or situation you are referring to, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "This" without a clear noun or context. Ensure the reader knows exactly what "This" refers to, or you risk confusing them. For example, instead of "This is important", specify "This concept is important."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "This" varies. It acts as a determiner specifying a noun (e.g., "This book"), a pronoun standing in for a noun (e.g., "This is mine"), an adverb indicating degree, an interjection expressing agreement, or a noun. Ludwig provides examples illustrating these different uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"This" is a versatile word functioning as a determiner, pronoun, adverb, interjection, or noun, primarily used to indicate, specify, or emphasize something. It is grammatically correct and extremely common, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, with various examples illustrating its usage across different contexts. When using "This", ensure that the referent is clear to avoid ambiguity. While the word itself is neutral in register, context determines the formality of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This particular

Emphasizes the specificity of something.

That

Refers to something specific but farther away in distance or time.

This very

Emphasizes immediacy and specificity.

The item in question

Highlights a specific item being discussed or considered.

The aforementioned

Formally refers to something previously mentioned.

The indicated

Highlights something that has been pointed out or specified.

The aforementioned item

A formal way to denote something previously mentioned.

Such

Indicates a similar kind or degree of something.

The present

Refers to the current instance or situation.

The subject at hand

Focuses on the current topic of discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "This" in a sentence?

"This" can be used as a determiner (e.g., "This book is interesting"), a pronoun (e.g., "This is my car"), an adverb (e.g., "I need this much space"), an interjection (e.g., "This! I agree!"), or a noun (e.g., "One of these."). The specific role depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "This" to indicate something?

You can use alternatives like "that" for something farther away, "the aforementioned" for formal contexts, or "the indicated" to emphasize specificity.

When is it appropriate to use "This" versus "That"?

"This" typically refers to something nearby in space, time, or thought, while "that" refers to something more distant. For example, "This is my house" implies you are near the house, while "That is my house" implies it's farther away.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "This"?

Avoid using "This" without a clear referent. Always ensure your reader knows exactly what "This" refers to. Ambiguous usage of "This" can lead to confusion and weaken your writing.