This, That, It and Such: Referring to an Earlier Idea
In this lesson, you can maintain or repair reference to an established entity.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Refer back to a whole previous idea without repeating it.
See one possible response
The bus was cancelled. That caused a delay.
You edit a short update about a booking problem and the group’s response.
What you will practise
- Maintain or repair reference to an established entity.
- Refer to an earlier proposition without reducing it to the nearest noun.
- Use a clear referring noun phrase and preserve its scope.
Try first. For open responses, a model is one valid answer, not an exact-string key. Preserve the intended meaning and register.
It keeps an established referent
It often continues reference to an already identified thing or situation: We found a room. It has twelve seats. The reader needs a recoverable referent. If several singular nouns compete, repeating the noun may be clearer than relying on it.
The printer is beside the scanner. It needs more paper, the printer, I mean.
We booked the smaller room. It has better lighting.
Repeat the noun when two devices compete
Two singular devices have been mentioned. It alone may leave the reader unsure.
The printer needs more paper.
This and that can package an idea
This or that can refer to a whole earlier event or proposition: The room was double-booked. This caused a delay. Both can be possible, with differences of focus and stance. Do not invent a universal rule that one always means approval or disapproval.
The tutor changed the order. That helped the beginners.
We moved the session online. This gave more people access.
Such and a clarifying noun
Such + noun refers to something of the kind described: Such delays are frustrating; such a change needs notice. A noun after this or that can also clarify: this delay, that decision. Name the idea when a bare pronoun could attach to several claims.
Two sessions started late. Such delays make planning difficult.
The email arrived late. This delay left little time to prepare.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.
1. We found a room. It has a balcony. What does it refer to?
Compare a model and explanation
The room.
One clear singular entity has been introduced.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
2. The printer is next to the scanner. It is broken. You mean the scanner.
Compare a model and explanation
The scanner is broken.
Repeating the noun removes competition.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
3. The class moved online. This saved travelling time. What does this refer to?
Compare a model and explanation
The move to an online class.
The referent is the earlier situation, not just the noun class.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
4. We have had several last-minute changes. ___ changes cause confusion. Use such.
Compare a model and explanation
Such
Such links the new noun phrase to that kind of change.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
5. such change a or such a change?
Compare a model and explanation
such a change
Such precedes the article in this pattern.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
6. This surprised us after two earlier claims. Must this refer only to the nearest noun?
Compare a model and explanation
No.
It may refer to a whole claim or sequence; context is needed.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
7. The room was small and the event was cancelled. You mean the cancellation caused concern.
Compare a model and explanation
The cancellation caused concern.
A named event is clearer than bare this.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
8. The key was missing. The organiser found another entrance. This solved it. Make the solution and problem explicit.
Compare a model and explanation
The key was missing. The organiser found another entrance, which solved the access problem.
Name the problem so it does not remain vague.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
A short conversation
Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.
Open the conversation transcript
Coordinator: The room was double-booked, so we moved upstairs.
Tutor: That explains the late start.
Coordinator: Yes. Such changes are awkward for new visitors.
Tutor: Next time, a message about the room change would help.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.
Answer key with explanations
What does this refer to?
Switching to an online meeting.: The whole change produces the stated consequence.
Compare all choices
- The word nobody alone.: Nobody appears after the referring expression.
- Switching to an online meeting.: The whole change produces the stated consequence.
- A particular unnamed laptop.: No laptop is introduced.
Which device needs the cable?
The projector.: The noun is repeated explicitly.
Compare all choices
- The laptop.: It is only located beside the projector.
- Both devices necessarily.: Only one is named as needing a cable.
- The projector.: The noun is repeated explicitly.
What kind of cancellations are being discussed?
Cancellations without notice like those just described.: Such links back to the described type.
Compare all choices
- Cancellations without notice like those just described.: Such links back to the described type.
- Only a printer repair.: No printer repair is mentioned.
- Every imaginable event of any kind.: The noun and prior context narrow the kind.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Answer key with explanations
We bought a new screen. It is larger. What is the clear referent of it?
The screen.: It continues the established singular entity.
Compare all choices
- The screen.: It continues the established singular entity.
- All equipment everywhere.: That exceeds the stated reference.
- The buying date.: No date is introduced.
Two possible devices precede It is broken. You intend the printer. What is the clearest repair?
The printer is broken.: Naming the referent resolves ambiguity.
Compare all choices
- It is it broken.: Repetition of it adds no clarity.
- The printer is broken.: Naming the referent resolves ambiguity.
- Everything is definitely broken.: That adds an unsupported claim.
Can this refer to a whole earlier event?
Yes.: Demonstrative reference can package a proposition or event.
Compare all choices
- Only when the event is future.: There is no such tense restriction.
- No, only a single physical noun.: That restriction is too narrow.
- Yes.: Demonstrative reference can package a proposition or event.
Choose the correct noun phrase.
such a delay: Such precedes a in this pattern.
Compare all choices
- such a delay: Such precedes a in this pattern.
- a such delay: This is not the target order.
- such delay a: The article is misplaced.
Several late changes were described. Choose a clear backward link.
Such changes are disruptive.: Such relates the noun to that described kind.
Compare all choices
- A such changes is.: Article, number and agreement are incorrect.
- Such changes are disruptive.: Such relates the noun to that described kind.
- Changes such are a.: The noun phrase and predicate are malformed.
Must that always express disapproval?
No.: Its effect depends on context; it can be neutral or positive.
Compare all choices
- Yes, in every reference to an idea.: That is an unsupported absolute.
- It can never refer backwards.: Backward reference is common.
- No.: Its effect depends on context; it can be neutral or positive.
The room was changed and the message was late. You mean the late message caused confusion. Which is precise?
The late message caused confusion.: The intended cause is explicitly selected.
Compare all choices
- The late message caused confusion.: The intended cause is explicitly selected.
- Both events certainly caused equal confusion.: That adds unsupported detail.
- This caused confusion, so the room change must be the cause.: Bare this does not justify that forced interpretation.
Which editing rule is useful?
Repeat a concise noun when a pronoun’s referent is unclear.: Clear reference matters more than avoiding every repeated noun.
Compare all choices
- Never repeat any noun.: That can create ambiguity.
- Repeat a concise noun when a pronoun’s referent is unclear.: Clear reference matters more than avoiding every repeated noun.
- Always choose the nearest noun as the only possible referent.: Whole propositions and wider context can govern reference.
Use it in your own words
Continue a topic
Introduce an object with a noun, then continue with it. Introduce an event and continue with this or that.
Reveal a possible response
We found a quiet room. It has good light. We moved the class there. This made discussion easier.
- Distinguish entity and event reference
- Keep both recoverable
This and that alternatives can both be valid.
Repair ambiguity
Explain a short update with two possible antecedents, then repair it by naming the intended one.
Reveal a possible response
The laptop was beside the printer. The printer, not the laptop, needed a cable.
- Identify the competing references
- Resolve the intended one explicitly
Use another pair of objects if preferred.
Put it all together
Give a project update with a change, a consequence and a general comment about that kind of change. Use one explicit noun to prevent a likely ambiguity.
Reveal a possible response
The delivery was late, so we moved the demonstration. This delay affected the morning group. Such changes are easier to manage when people get a message early.
- Refer to the event clearly
- Use such with a suitable noun
- Avoid an unclear bare pronoun
Other coherent project events are acceptable.
Take it with you
This, that, it and such can refer to earlier ideas in different ways. Check the intended referent and replace a short reference when more than one reading remains possible.