This and That, These and Those, Than and Then
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
This and That, These and Those, Than and Then
This vs. That
This and that are singular. This indicates something physically nearby. It may also refer to something symbolically or emotionally “close.” That can refer to something “over there” or to something that is not as symbolically or emotionally “close” as this is.
Examples:
This dog is mine.
This is mine.
That dog is hers.
That is hers.
These vs. Those
These and those are the plural equivalents of this and that.
Examples:
These babies have been smiling for a while.
These are mine.
Those babies in the nursery have been crying for hours.
Those are yours.
Than vs. Then
Use than to show comparison. Then answers the question when. It also means in that case or therefore.
Examples:
I would rather go skiing than rock climbing.
First we went skiing; then we went rock climbing.
If it snows, then we’ll go skiing.
Pop Quiz
1. This/these tables need to be cleaned before customers arrive.
2. Please clean this/that table in the corner.
3. These/those clothes in the other room need to be folded.
4. That/those toaster burned my bagel.
5. We reached the summit of the mountain and then/than collapsed.
6. I would rather starve then/than eat oysters.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. These tables need to be cleaned before customers arrive.
2. Please clean that table in the corner.
3. Those clothes in the other room need to be folded.
4. That toaster burned my bagel.
5. We reached the summit of the mountain and then collapsed.
6. I would rather starve than eat oysters.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
How do you punctuate the following:
Many people think golf carts are just for the golf course. But the truth is with a few modifications almost any cart can “street legal”.
or “street legal.”
You should write: But the truth is, with a few modifications, almost any cart can be “street legal.”
Note that I added two commas, the word “be” and placed the period inside the quotation mark.
Which is correct? I never know how to use these.
“Please communicate the new rate to the affected (effected) employees.”
affected employees
I’m editing for someone who over-uses words like these, this, that, there — what do you call words like this? I need to explain to him why I’m eliminating about half of them! thanks.
This, that, these, and those are called demonstratives. They can be used as adjectives or pronouns, depending on how they are used in a sentence. The word there is usually an adverb.
How do editors/publishers feel about the use of ‘then’ in fiction?
[EXAMPLE #1]: Daniel and Nancy glanced at each other, and then at Michele, grimacing.
It seems the best way to add context in terms of timing. But I just read an editing article that says it’s frowned on.
Also, in formatting ‘then’ (if I should use it at all), MS Word tags it as an error unless I use it without a comma. But I also read in the editing article that this practice reflects amateur or lazy writing.
‘Then’ is sprinkled throughout my novel.
[EXAMPLE #2]: Taking another step, she turned in each direction then looked up.
[EXAMPLE #3]: He closed his eyes, then opened them.
I’m seriously considering editing all 127 of my 200 times using ‘then’ at all. Thank heavens I haven’t submitted the manuscript to anyone yet.
Thank you for any advice you might offer. I find your articles clear, concise, and always easy to understand.
We are surprised at these blanket proclamations that have made you second-guess yourself. We can’t comment on sentences we can’t read, but generally, sensible use of the word then should be fine. The three sentences you provide do not bother us at all. In your second example, though, there should be a comma after “direction.”
Thankyou for a this vs that explanation which is easy to understand. It was the one thing my editor was merciless on correcting, and I wanted to understand the difference.
When do you use “then” or “and then”?
Your example: First we went skiing; then we went rock climbing.
So it could be rewritten: First we went skiing, and then we went rock climbing.
Sharon’s example: He closed his eyes, then opened them.
Sharon’s example: Taking another step, she turned in each direction, then looked up.
I’m looking at a sentence now: The feet are exfoliated, then hands are nourished.
Does that sentence need “and” for a conjunction, since it has a second subject, “hands”?
The feet are exfoliated, and then hands are nourished.
Thank you!
Using the word and is unnecessary in your examples. Writing then or and then conveys the same meaning.
Reading a book, I came across the following sentence:
“The other guy offered me his hand, and I took it and got to my feet.” It seems awkward to me. How would you suggest fixing it? Thanks.
The sentence may seem awkward to you, however, it is grammatically correct. In order to connect this sentence to the topics of this post, you could write “The other guy offered me his hand, and then I stood up.”
My son has been correcting me lately when I say, “I know this.” instead of “I know that.” For instance, I have said this in response to him telling me that he doesn’t like something (especially when he’s emphatic about it) or when we talk about something he or someone has always done, etc. I have been using “this” when it’s something recent and “that” when it’s something from the past. I’m not sure if I’ve always said it or if this is something I’ve picked up recently. Can you tell me which is correct?
As we mention in the article, “This indicates something physically nearby. It may also refer to something symbolically or emotionally ‘close.’ That can refer to something ‘over there’ or to something that is not as symbolically or emotionally ‘close’ as this is.” The word close is open to personal interpretation both in terms of physical distance and time; therefore, either this or that could be grammatically correct.
I mark many student papers where they use the word”this” without any attachment to an action, noun or verb. Is it correct that “this” needs to be connected to something / action or noun, or am I over correcting student grammar / papers.
It is possible to have a grammatically correct sentence in which this does not have a noun or action attached or connected if the noun is implied. In this case, the word this is a pronoun. Please see our post This/That/These/Those: Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns.
Examples:
What do you expect me to do about this?
Is this all you did while I was gone?
This is not acceptable.
If we have misinterpreted your question, please provide an example of what you have marked as incorrect on student papers in the past.
May one begin a sentence with the phrase “That this is a complex case….?”
Yes. Example:
“That this is a complex case is surprising to the team.”
The dependent clause “That this is a complex case” is the subject of the sentence.