Understanding the Use of “This,” “That,” and “It”

Key Points

1. Using “This”

“This” is used when referring to an idea that you have just mentioned. It emphasizes a point or draws attention to something you consider important.

Rules:

• “This” should directly follow the mention of the idea.
• It is used for emphasis and to highlight importance.

Examples:

• I just finished reading a fantastic book. This is the best book I’ve read all year.
• We need to improve our customer service. This is crucial for our business’s success.
• I’ve decided to learn Spanish. This will be a new and exciting challenge for me.
• The company posted record profits this quarter. This demonstrates our market strength.
• I’m adopting a new productivity method. This should help me manage my time better.

In each example, “this” refers back to the immediately preceding idea.

2. Using “That”

“That” is used when referring to an idea that someone else has just mentioned. It acknowledges or agrees with the other person’s statement.

Rules:

• “That” should follow a mention of the idea by another person.
• It is used for agreement or acknowledgment.

Examples:

• Person A: “We should reduce our plastic use to protect the environment.” Person B: “I agree! That is very important.”
• Person A: “Exercise can significantly improve your health.” Person B: “Absolutely! That is a fact.”
• Person A: “He has shown great leadership in the project.” Person B: “Indeed, that has been evident from the start.”
• Person A: “The concert last night was amazing.” Person B: “Yes, that was the best performance I’ve seen this year.”

Here, “that” refers to the idea previously mentioned by another speaker.

3. Using “It”

“It” is used at the beginning of a sentence when referring to an idea mentioned at the end of the sentence. “It” can also be used for physical objects that are not ideas.

Rules:

• “It” is used for ideas that will be explained later in the sentence.
• “It” can also refer to previously mentioned physical objects.

Examples:

• It is essential to understand the basics before moving on to advanced topics. (Referring to the idea of understanding basics)
• It is important to remember that we have a meeting tomorrow. (Referring to the idea of the meeting tomorrow)
• The cake is delicious. It tastes amazing. (Referring to the cake)
• It is a common practice to start meetings with a brief overview. (Referring to the practice of starting meetings with an overview)
• It was surprising to see how much progress was made in a short time. (Referring to the progress made)

In these examples, “it” points to an idea or object that will be or has been explained.

Additional Examples

“This” Examples:

• The proposal was approved unanimously. This indicates strong support from the team.
• She found an innovative solution to the problem. This could revolutionize our approach.
• They launched a new product last month. This has already received positive feedback from customers.

“That” Examples:

• Person A: “We need to invest more in renewable energy.” Person B: “Yes, that is a critical step for sustainability.”
• Person A: “She completed the marathon in under three hours.” Person B: “Wow, that is impressive!”
• Person A: “Our sales have increased by 20% this quarter.” Person B: “Indeed, that is a remarkable achievement.”

“It” Examples:

• It is likely that the event will be rescheduled due to the weather. (Referring to the rescheduling of the event)
• It is evident from the results that the new strategy is working. (Referring to the new strategy working)
• The solution is simple. It only requires a minor adjustment. (Referring to the solution)

Practice Exercises

• Complete the sentences using “this,” “that,” or “it”: I have a great idea. ___ will help us solve the problem. Person A: “The presentation was very informative.” Person B: “Yes, ___ provided a lot of useful insights.” ___ is important to note that all employees must attend the meeting.
• Write your own sentences: Mention an idea and refer back to it using “this.” Respond to someone’s idea using “that.” Begin a sentence with “it” to refer to an idea mentioned later in the sentence.

By understanding and practicing these rules, you will be able to use “this,” “that,” and “it” correctly and effectively in your conversations and writing.