this
Cela sert à désigner une personne ou une chose qui est proche de toi.
Use 'this' to point out a singular person or thing that is close to you.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Points to something specific and near.
- Used with singular or uncountable nouns.
- Essential for showing proximity in space or time.
Summary
Use 'this' to point out a singular person or thing that is close to you.
- Points to something specific and near.
- Used with singular or uncountable nouns.
- Essential for showing proximity in space or time.
Show what's close to you
Remember 'this' is for things right here with you. Think 'this' = 'here'.
Singular only for nouns
Be careful not to use 'this' with plural nouns. Use 'these' instead for multiple items nearby.
Pointing and identifying
Using 'this' is a very common way to draw attention to something specific in your immediate environment or the current topic of discussion.
Exemples
4 sur 4This is my new phone.
I don't like this weather.
This course requires a lot of reading.
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Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of 'this' as pointing to something 'here'. The 'h' in 'this' and 'here' can help you remember they are related.
Overview:
'This' is a fundamental word in English, acting as a determiner or pronoun. As a determiner, it precedes a noun to specify or identify that noun. Its primary function is to refer to something that is near the speaker in space, time, or relevance. It's one of the most basic demonstratives, alongside 'that', 'these', and 'those'.
Usage Patterns:
'This' is used with singular countable nouns (e.g., 'this book', 'this idea') and uncountable nouns (e.g., 'this water', 'this information'). When used as a determiner, it must be followed by a noun or a noun phrase. It indicates proximity. For example, 'This chair is comfortable' implies the chair is near the speaker. It can also refer to something currently happening or being discussed, as in 'This is a difficult problem'.
Common Contexts:
'This' is ubiquitous in everyday conversation. You'll hear it when people are pointing things out ('Look at this painting!'), introducing topics ('This is my friend, Sarah.'), or describing current situations ('This weather is terrible.'). In more formal settings, it's used for specific references, like 'This report outlines our findings.' In academic contexts, it can refer to a concept or study being presented ('This research suggests...').
Similar Words Comparison:
- 'That': 'That' also refers to a person or thing, but it indicates something further away from the speaker, either physically or temporally ('That car is red,' meaning it's not the one closest to me).
- 'These': 'These' is the plural form of 'this,' used for multiple items close to the speaker ('These apples are ripe.').
- 'Those': 'Those' is the plural form of 'that,' used for multiple items further from the speaker ('Those birds are flying south.').
'This' is crucial for distinguishing between items that are near and those that are far, and between singular and plural references.
Notes d'usage
As a determiner, 'this' must be followed by a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun. It is highly common in both spoken and written English. Its use clearly indicates proximity or relevance to the speaker.
Erreurs courantes
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 'this' with plural nouns (e.g., 'this books'). The correct form for plural items near the speaker is 'these'. Another mistake is confusing 'this' (near) with 'that' (far).
Astuce mémo
Think of 'this' as pointing to something 'here'. The 'h' in 'this' and 'here' can help you remember they are related.
Origine du mot
The word 'this' comes from Old English 'þis', a neuter form of 'þes' (this). It has evolved from ancient Germanic roots related to pointing and proximity.
Contexte culturel
The use of 'this' is fundamental to spatial and temporal deixis in English, allowing speakers to anchor conversations to their immediate context and shared reality.
Exemples
This is my new phone.
everydayI don't like this weather.
informalThis course requires a lot of reading.
academicPlease sign here; this document needs your approval.
formalFamille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
this is...
like this
all this
Souvent confondu avec
'This' refers to something near the speaker, while 'that' refers to something further away. Both are used for singular or uncountable nouns.
'These' is the plural form of 'this', used for multiple items close to the speaker. 'This' is used for only one item.
Modèles grammaticaux
Show what's close to you
Remember 'this' is for things right here with you. Think 'this' = 'here'.
Singular only for nouns
Be careful not to use 'this' with plural nouns. Use 'these' instead for multiple items nearby.
Pointing and identifying
Using 'this' is a very common way to draw attention to something specific in your immediate environment or the current topic of discussion.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
I like ___ song. It's very catchy.
'This' is used because 'song' is singular and the speaker is referring to a specific song they like, implying it's present or easily identifiable.
Select the best option to fill the blank.
Could you pass me ___ book on the table?
'This' is appropriate because the context implies the book is near the speaker, and 'book' is singular.
Arrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence using 'this'.
is / problem / difficult / This
The determiner 'This' correctly modifies the noun 'problem', forming a standard subject-verb-adjective sentence structure.
Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsUse 'this' when the person or thing is near you (physically, in time, or in the conversation). Use 'that' when it is further away from you.
No, 'this' is used only with singular countable nouns and uncountable nouns. For plural nouns near you, use 'these'.
Yes, 'this' can also function as a pronoun, standing alone to refer to a situation, idea, or thing already understood from context (e.g., 'This is difficult.').
'This' can refer to the current period of time, like 'this week', 'this morning', or 'this year', indicating the present or immediate time frame.
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Grammaire lie
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
about
A1'About' signifie 'à propos de' quand on parle d'un sujet, ou 'environ' pour une quantité.
above
A2Indique une position plus haute que quelque chose d'autre, juste au-dessus.
accident
A2Un événement imprévu qui cause du tort ou des blessures.
action
A2C'est le fait de faire quelque chose pour atteindre un but.
after
A2'After' veut dire 'après', quelque chose qui arrive plus tard dans le temps ou dans l'espace.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' veut dire 'encore', que quelque chose se produit une deuxième fois ou plus.
aged
B1Cela précise l'âge d'une personne ou d'un objet.
alive
A2Quelque chose qui est en vie, qui n'est pas mort.
all
A2'All' désigne la totalité de quelque chose, chaque élément sans exception.
