this

1. 1
   pronoun

   The thing, item, or matter being indicated.

   Read this before you sign.

   Take this, and give the rest to your sister.

   UsageFor more than one use these: this is mine, these are mine.

   Oppositethat

   Note

   It can point at an object or at a thought still to come. Shakespeare uses it the second way in King Lear: "This is the excellent foppery of the world, that…" Here the pronoun holds a place until the that-clause delivers the idea. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • The quoted words occur in Shakespeare's King Lear; the character speaking is Edmund. gutenberg.org
   • In this passage, 'this' anticipates the idea expressed by the following that-clause. gutenberg.org
2. 2
   determiner

   Used before a noun to refer to something just mentioned or about to be mentioned.

   The report blames a single decision; this decision was taken in haste.

   She had one rule, and this rule she never broke.

   Similarthat

3. 3
   determiner

   Used before a noun to indicate a person or thing near the speaker, sometimes the speaker themself, in contrast with 'that'.

   Look at this photo of my grandfather.

   We planted this tree the year we moved in.

   UsageBefore a plural noun use these: this book, these books (not incorrect: this books).

   Oppositethat

4. 4
   determiner

   Used with a time word to designate the current or next instance.

   The factory opens this spring.

   We have visitors this weekend.

   Note

   Time words turn the demonstrative into a calendar pointer, and the instance it picks depends on the clock. With a period already under way, it means the present one: this morning. With a day still ahead, it means the next one: this Friday. Because the same word covers both, a date or a weekday plus context is what settles which is meant.

5. 5
   new to listenerdeterminercolloquial

   Used when first mentioning a person or thing unknown to the listener.

   We found this little café behind the station.

   He had this way of laughing that made everyone join in.

   UsageUsed in telling stories: so I met this guy. In careful writing, a or a certain is usual.

   Note

   A definite-looking word doing an indefinite job. The speaker knows who or what is meant, but the listener does not yet, so the sentence goes on to describe it: this woman who's allergic to wheat, this nervous mannerism Bob has. Unlike the use that points back, nothing has been mentioned before.

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