What is the difference?

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ckny
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What is the difference?

Postby ckny » Fri Jul 26, 2019 8:51 am

Hi, hello all,

what is the difference between
THAT IS ....
THIS IS ....

or can I use it equally ?

Kind regards,
Chris
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DaveAgain
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Re: What is the difference?

Postby DaveAgain » Fri Jul 26, 2019 9:58 am

ckny wrote:Hi, hello all,

what is the difference between
THAT IS ....
THIS IS ....

or can I use it equally ?

Kind regards,
Chris
For physical objects it would be a distance thing: this one here, that one there. When discussing concepts/opinions/events, your choice might just be phrasing.
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Lianne
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Wish list: Swedish, Esperanto, Klingon, Brazilian Portuguese
Has also dabbled in: German, Spanish, toki pona
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Re: What is the difference?

Postby Lianne » Fri Jul 26, 2019 4:31 pm

DaveAgain wrote:For physical objects it would be a distance thing: this one here, that one there. When discussing concepts/opinions/events, your choice might just be phrasing.

I think the same principle generally applies with less concrete examples.

Example 1:
This is ridiculous. -- This situation/conversation that I am in right now is ridiculous.
That is ridiculous. -- Something I just heard about/a situation happening elsewhere is ridiculous.

Example 2:
This is a good song. -- The song that's playing right now is a good song.
That is a good song. -- A song we're talking about is a good song.

Edit: improved one of my examples.
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: 7 / 100 French SC (Films)
: 0 / 50 Italian Half SC (Books)
: 0 / 50 Italian Half SC (Films)

Pronouns: they/them

Speakeasy
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Re: What is the difference?

Postby Speakeasy » Fri Jul 26, 2019 6:15 pm

I agree with the explanations provided by DaveAgain and Lianne.
Which Apple.png

Going beyond the referential uses, “that is” is often used as a shortened form of the expression “that is to say”, which is used an introductory remark to an expanded explanation, often in greater detail, of something that has just been expressed.

English: That is (to say) ...
French: C’est-à-dire ...
German: Das heisst ...


EDITED:
Presentation of "that is (to say)" in English, French, and German.
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