this very book

USAGE SUMMARY

"this very book" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the book that you are talking about, usually when you are talking about it in relation to other books. For example, "I read this very book for my book club last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Hence the Book Against God: this very book.

The Guardian - Books

Oh, right, it was Ms. Silverman, in this very book.

The New York Times - Books

This very book turned me into a sci-fi fan".

The Guardian - Books

This was the book he clung on to, children, this very book.

The Guardian - Books

Bellow notes that this very book has benefited from "the added value that my name brings to the project".

The New York Times - Books

Which is very true, though this very book also summarises lots of research findings and the appropriate "lessons" to draw from them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Unfortunately, this very practical book has a very impractical format.

The New York Times - Books

This very little book about Poe is hardly revolutionary but its style suits its subject.

The Economist

And this very enjoyable book will help you do just that.

Independent

All the research in this very thorough book still cannot outbalance this common-sense rule.

The Guardian - Books

I read this very good book by this Irish author Paul Murray called Skippy Dies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this very book" to draw attention to a specific book, especially when contrasting it with others or emphasizing its relevance to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "this very book" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "this book" or "the book" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this very book" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. The words "this" and "very" act as determiners specifying and emphasizing the noun "book". According to Ludwig, the phrase emphasizes the particular book under discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this very book" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize a particular book. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to specify and draw attention to the book in question, as is often the case in reviews and analytical essays. While its register is generally neutral to formal, care should be taken to avoid overuse in informal settings. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media sources. Alternatives such as "this particular book" or "the book in question" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this particular book

Substitutes "very" with "particular", offering a slightly less emphatic but equally precise reference to the book.

this specific book

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the book using "specific" instead of "very", with a slightly different nuance.

the present book

Uses "present" to indicate the book currently being considered, often in academic or literary contexts.

the book in question

Replaces "this very book" with a more formal, legalistic tone, referring to the specific book under discussion.

the aforementioned book

Replaces the original phrase, creating a formal reference to the book previously mentioned.

the book we're discussing

Replaces "this very book" with a more descriptive, conversational reference to the book being discussed.

the book itself

Focuses attention directly on the book as the subject, highlighting its intrinsic qualities or content.

the noted book

It's formal and indicates that this book is notable, or well known.

this identical book

Indicates that there are several copies of the same book, and focus on one of them.

the selfsame book

Replaces "this very book" with an archaic word to give a sense of gravity.

FAQs

How can I use "this very book" in a sentence?

Use "this very book" to emphasize the specific book you're referring to, especially when distinguishing it from others. For example, "This very book changed my perspective on life."

What phrases can I use instead of "this very book"?

Alternatives include "this particular book", "the book in question", or "the present book", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "this here book" instead of "this very book"?

While "this here book" might be used in some informal dialects, "this very book" is grammatically correct and appropriate for standard written English.

When is it appropriate to use "this very book"?

Use "this very book" when you want to emphasize the importance or relevance of a specific book, or to distinguish it from other books. It's particularly useful in reviews, essays, or discussions about literature.