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General English · A1

This or it?

Point out something with this and refer to an already known thing with it.

What you will learn

  • Use this before a noun or on its own.
  • Use it as an ordinary reference to a known thing.
  • Use natural introductions, identification and short answers.

This yaqin narsani ko‘rsatadi yoki yangi odam/narsani tanishtiradi. It esa oldin aytilgan bitta narsa haqida gapni davom ettiradi. This otdan oldin ham keladi; it otdan oldingi aniqlovchi emas.

This points to a nearby thing or introduces something: This is my desk. This desk is new. It normally refers to a singular thing already known: I bought a desk. It is new. Unlike this, it cannot go directly before a noun as a determiner: this desk, not it desk. For a personal introduction use This is my friend. In a short answer to Is this your…?, normally use it: Yes, it is. Use it, not this, as the ordinary subject of weather and clock-time expressions.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Different jobs
UseThisIt
before a nounThis phone is new.NOT: It phone is new.
pointing / referring backThis is my phone. (showing it)I bought a phone. It is new.
questionIs this your phone?Is it working? (the known phone)
Natural exchanges
SituationExample
introduce someone beside youThis is my friend, Kamola.
identify an objectWhat’s this? It’s a charger.
short yes-answerIs this your coat? Yes, it is.
short no-answerIs this your coat? No, it isn’t.
identify yourself on the phoneHello, this is Aziz speaking.
identify a caller to someone elseWho is it? It’s Aziz.

Examples

This before a noun

This chair is free. You can sit here.

Bu stul bo‘sh. Shu yerga o‘tirishingiz mumkin.

Reference back

I found a wallet. It was on the floor.

Hamyon topdim. U polda edi.

Personal introduction

This is my cousin, Nodira.

Bu amakivachcham Nodira.

Identify a thing

What’s this? It’s a bus ticket.

Bu nima? Avtobus chiptasi.

Short answer

Is this your key? Yes, it is.

Bu kalitingizmi? Ha.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: It book is mine.

Use: This book is mine.

This can come before book; it cannot be a determiner.

Avoid: This my bag.

Use: This is my bag.

When this stands alone as the subject, include is before my bag.

Avoid: Is this your pen? Yes, it’s.

Use: Is this your pen? Yes, it is.

Do not contract is at the end of a positive short answer.

Avoid: This is raining. (Describe the weather normally.)

Use: It is raining.

The weather expression uses it as its subject.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · This before a noun

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. ___ bag is heavy. (One nearby bag.)
2. ___ chair is broken. (One nearby chair.)
3. This ___ my new bike.
4. I bought a bike. ___ is red. (Use an ordinary personal pronoun.)
5. ___ shoes are wet. (Several nearby shoes.)
6. I washed the cups. ___ are clean. (Personal pronoun.)
7. ___ is windy today. (Ordinary weather expression.)
8. ___ is half past seven. (Clock time.)
9. Choose the correct noun phrase.
10. Choose the complete sentence.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Complete the exchange

Follow the clue and write the missing word or words.

1. Is this your ruler? Yes, ___ is. (Personal pronoun.)
2. Is this your bag? No, it ___. (Contraction.)
3. What’s this? ___ a torch. (Use the contraction of it is.)
4. ___ desk is mine. (This or it.)
5. I have a dog. ___ likes walks. (Use the neutral pronoun for an animal whose sex is not given.)
6. ___ is snowing. (This or it; ordinary weather.)
7. Is this your notebook? Yes, it ___.
8. ___ picture is beautiful. (This or it.)
9. This ___ my brother, Ali. (be)
10. I’ve got two tickets. ___ are in my pocket. (Personal pronoun.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Point, identify and refer

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Introduce your friend standing beside you. Choose the standard introduction.
2. Introduce yourself on the phone using this.
3. Someone asks who is at the door. Identify the person.
4. Choose the correct positive short answer to ‘Is this your scarf?’
5. Choose the correct negative short answer.
6. Refer to a known watch using an ordinary personal pronoun.
7. Choose the correct expression for a nearby singular noun.
8. Describe the weather normally.
9. Choose the correct plural reference: ‘I bought two pens. ___.’
10. This is my friend, Lola. ___ is a nurse. (Ordinary description of the known person.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • This points out or introduces; it normally refers to something known.
  • This can precede a noun; it cannot: this book, not it book.
  • Use it in ordinary weather/time expressions and short answers such as Yes, it is.
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