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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | thes, this |
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this1 S1 W1
plural these
plural these
1XX used to refer to a person, thing, idea etc that has just been mentioned or to something that has just happened : 
We must make sure this doesn't happen again.Is there any way of solving these problems? If young Daly continues to improve at this rate, he'll soon be in the A Team. This will be discussed in the next chapter. This boyfriend of yours - how old is he?
We must make sure this doesn't happen again.Is there any way of solving these problems?If young Daly continues to improve at this rate, he'll soon be in the A Team.This will be discussed in the next chapter.This boyfriend of yours - how old is he?2 used to talk about the present time or a time that is close to the present : There will be another meeting later this week. This has been the worst year of my life. I thought he would have been back before this. We'll be seeing Malcolm this Friday (=on Friday of the present week). I'm sorry I was late this morning (=today in the morning).
There will be another meeting later this week.This has been the worst year of my life.I thought he would have been back before this.We'll be seeing Malcolm this Friday (=on Friday of the present week).I'm sorry I was late this morning (=today in the morning).3 used to talk about the present situation : I hate this cold damp weather. Things have never been as bad as this before.
I hate this cold damp weather.Things have never been as bad as this before.4 spoken used to talk about a thing or person that is near you, the thing you are holding, or the place where you are : These are your gloves, aren't they? You have to park on this side of the road. I can't bear the atmosphere in this house much longer.
These are your gloves, aren't they?You have to park on this side of the road.I can't bear the atmosphere in this house much longer.5 spoken used to refer to something that you are going to say or that is just about to happen : Now, listen to this. Wait till you hear this joke. This is going to surprise you.
Now, listen to this.Wait till you hear this joke.This is going to surprise you.6 spokenXX used in stories, jokes etc when you mention a person or thing for the first time : I met this really weird guy last night. Suddenly, there was this tremendous bang.
I met this really weird guy last night.Suddenly, there was this tremendous bang.7 spoken
a) used to introduce someone to someone else : Sam, this is my sister, Liz.
Sam, this is my sister, Liz.b) TCT used to give your name when you are speaking on the telephone : 'Can I speak to Joan, please?' 'This is Joan speaking.'
'Can I speak to Joan, please?' 'This is Joan speaking.'8 spoken various different things, subjects etc : 'What have you two been gossiping about all evening?' 'Oh this, that, and the other.'
this, that and the other
also this and that'What have you two been gossiping about all evening?' 'Oh this, that, and the other.'9 spoken used to ask what is happening, what people are saying, what someone's problem is etc : What's this? Crying again? What's all this about a ghost?
what's (all) this?
What's this? Crying again?What's all this about a ghost?10 spoken used to say that something you expected to happen is actually going to happen : This is it, boys, the moment we've been waiting for.
this is it
This is it, boys, the moment we've been waiting for.