TKG English Learner's Dictionary

this

2 entries: pronoun · determiner

thispronoun

American /ðɪs/ British /ðɪs/
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. a person or thing that is here, near the speaker, or being talked about right now

    This stands alone for someone or something nearby or already part of the conversation, and contrasts with that, which points to something farther away. Directly before a noun, this is a determiner, a separate entry. This is also used to introduce a person: this is my friend Sam.

    Collocations

    phrase like this

    Compare that (that points to something farther away or already mentioned); this (this directly before a noun: this book, compared with the pronoun use standing alone: this is mine); these

Usage

Directly before a noun, this is a determiner, a separate entry: this book. Standing alone, without a following noun, it is this pronoun: this is mine.

Common mistakes

This are my friends. These are my friends.
For more than one person or thing, use the plural these, not this.

See also this (this directly before a noun: this book); these (the plural of this)

For translators

Grammar trap The plural of this is a separate word, these, not a form made by adding an ending to this itself.

thisdeterminer

American /ðɪs/ British /ðɪs/
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. near or nowused before a singular or uncountable noun for a person or thing that is here, near the speaker, or being talked about right now

    This points to something close in place or time, or something currently happening: this book (the one here), this week (the current one). It contrasts with that, which points to something farther away.

    • This coat is warmer than the other one.
    • I've lived in this city for five years.
    • Let's finish this conversation later.
    • This week has been extremely busy.

    Collocations

    phrase this way, this time, at this point

    Compare that; these; this

Usage

Standing alone, without a following noun, this is a pronoun: I like this, a separate entry, this. The plural of this is these, a separate word.

Common mistakes

This books are mine. These books are mine.
This goes before a singular or uncountable noun, never a plural one; use these before a plural noun.

See also this (this standing alone, without a noun: I like this); these (the plural of this)

For translators

Grammar trap This goes before a singular or uncountable noun, never a plural one; the plural form is these, a separate word, not an ending added to this.