What is this? Pronunciation and usage in English

this means . Learn how to pronounce and use this through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of this

thispronoun

/ðɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of this

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "this" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown of the most common and accurate pronunciation:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • θɪs (pronounced like "thuhs")
    • "th" sound: This is the voiceless dental fricative. It's the "th" sound you use in words like "think" or "this." Your tongue should be lightly touching the back of your top teeth.
    • "i" sound: This is like the "ee" in "see."
    • "s" sound: This is a soft, gentle "s" sound, not a hard "s" like in "sun."

2. The Pronunciation in British English:

  • ðɪs (pronounced like "this")
    • "th" sound: This is the voiced dental fricative. This is the same "th" sound as in "this," but your vocal cords vibrate as you make it. You'll feel a buzzing in your throat.
    • "i" sound: Same as above – like the "ee" in "see."
    • "s" sound: Same as American English – soft "s."

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it! Use online dictionaries (like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary) and listen to the audio pronunciations. Search for “this pronunciation” on YouTube for many examples.
  • Practice the "th" sound: If you struggle with the "th" sound, practice it on its own. Say words like "think," "that," "thank," etc.
  • Pay attention to the voiced/voiceless distinction: In British English, the "th" is voiced. In American English, it's generally voiceless.

Resources to help you listen:

To help me give you more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What dialect of English are you most interested in learning? (American, British, or something else?)

Usage and examples with the word this in English

Let's break down how to use the word "this" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different functions! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Referring to Something Specific (Most Common Use)

  • Pointing out a tangible object: This is the most basic use. You're pointing directly at something.

    • "Look! This is my book." (Pointing to a book)
    • "I want this apple." (Pointing to an apple)

  • Referring to something just mentioned: You're continuing a conversation and referencing something you just talked about.

    • "I bought a new shirt. This one is blue." (Referring back to the shirt)
    • “I’m tired. This meeting was long.” (Referring back to the meeting)

  • Referring to something nearby: If something is close to you, you can use "this."

    • "I need this pen." (Referring to a pen on the table)

2. Referring to Time & Duration

  • “This” hour/day/week/month: Used to talk about the present period.

    • “This hour, I'll be busy."
    • “This week, we're going on vacation.”

  • “This” morning/afternoon/evening: Similar to above, referring to the current time period.

    • “This morning, I woke up late."

3. "This" as a Demonstrative Pronoun (Referring to a group of things)

  • “This” means “one of these” or “any of these”: When you’re indicating a selection from a group.
    • “Which one do you want? This or that one?” (Pointing to two options)
    • “This cake looks delicious!” (Referring to a selection of cakes)

4. “This” as a Subject/Object (Less Common, but Important)

  • “This” as the subject of a sentence:

    • "This is a great idea!" (Meaning: This concept is excellent.)

  • “This” as the object of a verb:

    • "I like this movie." (Meaning: I like this particular movie)
    • "She found this key." (Meaning: She found this specific key.)

5. "This" + Adjective (Emphasis)

  • You can place "this" before an adjective to emphasize it.
    • "This beautiful view is breathtaking!" (Emphasizing the beauty)
    • "This difficult problem needs a solution." (Emphasizing the difficulty)

Important Notes & Distinctions:

  • "This" vs. "That" vs. "These" vs. "Those": These words all function as demonstrative pronouns, but they differ in distance.

    • This: Close to the speaker.
    • That: Further away from the speaker (than “this”).
    • These: Close to the listener.
    • Those: Further away from the listener (than “these”).

  • “It” vs “This”: "It" often refers to a general thing or situation. "This" is more specific and points to something particular.

    • "It's raining." (General weather condition)
    • "This rain is making me wet." (Specific occurrence of rain)

Let's test your understanding! Can you give me a sentence using "this" in a way that demonstrates one of the ways I've described above?

Synonyms for the word this

Idioms of the word this

this and that | this, that and the other
(informal)various things or activities
  • ‘What did you talk about?’ ‘Oh, this and that.’

Practice with vocabulary this

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. ______ new software update significantly improves system efficiency.
  2. Please ensure ______ documents on the table are scanned before the meeting.
  3. Could you please review ______ proposal before the end of the day?
  4. ______ argument presented earlier raises some important questions.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word best introduces a topic or item that is currently being discussed or is immediately present? a) That b) This c) Those d) Them

  2. If you want to refer to the current project you are working on, you would most likely say: a) "That project is demanding." b) "This project is demanding." c) "Those projects are demanding." d) "The project was demanding."

  3. Select the most appropriate word(s) to initiate an explanation about a point you are about to make. a) In summary, b) This suggests that c) Therefore, d) This means

  4. When referring to a specific point in a presentation that has already passed, or a decision made last week, which word is most suitable? a) This b) These c) That d) Here

  5. Which words would you use to refer to multiple items that are close to you? a) This b) That c) These d) Those

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The latest market analysis confirms our strategy is effective. (Rewrite to use "this" or a related word form)
  2. The report that was submitted last month highlighted several discrepancies. (Rewrite without using "this", but a suitable replacement word)
  3. The task I'm currently working on requires a high level of concentration. (Rewrite to use "this" or a related word form)

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. This
  2. these
  3. this
  4. That

Exercise 2:

  1. b) This
  2. b) This
  3. b) This suggests that, d) This means
  4. c) That
  5. c) These

Exercise 3:

  1. This latest market analysis confirms our strategy is effective.
  2. That report, submitted last month, highlighted several discrepancies.
  3. This task I'm currently working on requires a high level of concentration.

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