“This book is really helpful.”
“This is exactly what I needed.”
“This week has been busy.”
You probably use this many times every day without thinking about it. It is one of the most common words in English, but finding a replacement can become surprisingly difficult when you want to avoid repetition.
For example, in a school assignment, you might write, “This shows that the character is changing.” In a formal report, you may want a more precise expression such as “The evidence shows that…” In a conversation, however, “this” often sounds completely natural and does not need replacing.
So, what is another word for this?
The answer depends on what this means in your sentence. It can point to something nearby, refer back to an idea, identify the current time, or introduce information that comes next. Therefore, choosing an alternative requires attention to context, grammar, distance, tone, and meaning.
Quick Answer
“This” points to a person, thing, idea, situation, time, or place that is near the speaker or currently being discussed. Depending on the sentence, alternatives include the present, the current, the following, the above, the aforementioned, such, here, today, and now. However, no single word can replace “this” in every situation.
Meaning, Tone & Context
The basic function of this is to identify something that is considered near, current, or immediately relevant.
1. “This” as a determiner
When this comes before a noun, it identifies a particular person, thing, time, or idea.
- This book belongs to me.
- This problem needs attention.
- This morning was unusually cold.
- This idea could work.
Here, “this” works as a demonstrative determiner.
2. “This” as a pronoun
“This” can also stand alone when the noun is already understood.
- This is my favorite.
- This looks interesting.
- I don’t understand this.
In these examples, “this” acts as a demonstrative pronoun.
3. “This” for ideas or situations
English speakers frequently use “this” to refer to something just mentioned.
- The company changed its policy. This surprised many employees.
- She missed the bus. This made her late.
Here, “this” does not point to a physical object. Instead, it refers to an event, fact, or situation.
Tone and formality
“This” is usually neutral and conversational. It works naturally in:
- everyday conversation
- emails
- school writing
- professional communication
- academic writing
- reports
- stories
However, formal writing sometimes benefits from a more specific noun.
Compare:
This caused several problems.
with:
The policy change caused several problems.
The second sentence gives the reader a clearer reference.
When & How to Use “This”
Use this when the reader or listener can easily understand what you are pointing to.
Something physically nearby
- Please pass me this pen.
- Look at this picture.
- I bought this shirt yesterday.
For something happening now
- This week has been stressful.
- We need to finish this month.
- I am busy this afternoon.
For something recently mentioned
- She received a promotion. This made her very happy.
- The experiment failed. This surprised the students.
To introduce something
“This” can also point forward to information that comes next.
- This is the problem: we do not have enough time.
- This is what I mean: we need a simpler plan.
In these cases, replacing “this” often requires restructuring the sentence rather than simply choosing another word.
Another Word for “This”
There is no universal synonym for this because its meaning changes according to its grammatical role.
For example:
- this book → the book in question
- this year → the current year
- this problem → the present problem
- this shows… → this evidence shows… or the evidence shows…
- this morning → today’s morning is generally unnatural, so “this morning” should usually remain unchanged.
In formal writing, replacing “this” with a specific noun often creates better writing than searching for a one-word synonym.
When Not to Replace “This”
Do not replace this simply because you think repeating it is always bad.
For example:
I bought this book because this book contains useful examples.
Here, the second “this book” sounds repetitive. You could write:
I bought this book because it contains useful examples.
However:
This is my favorite book.
There may be no natural replacement.
Likewise, expressions such as this morning, this week, this year, this person, this place, and this time are already natural English expressions. Forced alternatives can make your writing sound unnatural.
Also, avoid replacing “this” with formal expressions such as the aforementioned when writing to friends or having a normal conversation.
Words Commonly Confused With “This”
This vs. That
This normally points to something near the speaker, the current situation, or something closely connected to the conversation.
That often points to something farther away or less immediate.
- This book in my hand is mine.
- That book on the other table is yours.
In conversation, however, the difference can involve psychological or conversational distance rather than physical distance.
This vs. These
This normally refers to one person or thing.
- This book is interesting.
These refers to more than one.
- These books are interesting.
This vs. It
This can introduce or emphasize something.
- This is my new laptop.
It usually refers back to something already identified.
- I bought a new laptop. It is very fast.
This vs. Such
Such can refer to something of the kind just mentioned.
- We need better training. Such training could improve performance.
However, “such” does not function as a general replacement for “this.”
Best Synonym by Context
| Context | Best Alternative | Example |
| Current time | the present | We must focus on the present. |
| Current situation | the current situation | The current situation is difficult. |
| Formal writing | the matter in question | The matter in question requires review. |
| Academic writing | the evidence | The evidence supports the conclusion. |
| Previous information | the aforementioned | The aforementioned study produced similar results. |
| Information that follows | the following | Please consider the following points. |
| Nearby place | here | Please wait here. |
| Current moment | now | We need to act now. |
| Current year | the current year | Sales increased during the current year. |
| Current period | the current period | Results improved during the current period. |
| Specific object | the object in question | The object in question was examined. |
| Specific issue | the issue | The issue needs further discussion. |
| Specific idea | the idea | The idea could solve the problem. |
| Specific event | the event | The event attracted many visitors. |
| Recent point | the recent development | The recent development changed the plan. |
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
The safest approach is to ask yourself what this actually refers to.
If it refers to a thing, use a specific noun:
This caused confusion.
→ The new rule caused confusion.
When referring to a situation, use “the situation” or “the current situation.”
For evidence, simply say “the evidence.”
In formal writing, previously mentioned information can be replaced with expressions such as “the aforementioned” or “the preceding.”
When talking about the present time, options such as “now,” “currently,” “at present,” “the present,” or “the current period” may fit.
Most importantly, do not choose a complicated expression merely to sound formal. Clear English is usually better English.
Real-Life Examples of “This” in Sentences
School
- This lesson is easier than the previous one.
- I don’t understand this question.
- This example helps explain the rule.
- The experiment produced unexpected results. This gave the students a new question to investigate.
Workplace
- This report needs one more section.
- Can you send me this file?
- This meeting will focus on the new project.
- The schedule changed. This affected several employees.
Writing
- This argument has several weaknesses.
- This evidence supports the main idea.
- The results were surprising. This suggests that more research is needed.
Conversation
- What is this?
- This is delicious!
- I can’t believe this happened.
- Look at this!
50 Contextual Alternatives and Substitutes for “This”
Basic Alternatives for “This”
| Synonym / Alternative | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1. that | Something already identified or farther away | That book belongs to Sara. |
| 2. these | More than one nearby item | These shoes are comfortable. |
| 3. the present | The time happening now | We should focus on the present. |
| 4. the current | Happening or existing now | The current system needs improvement. |
| 5. the current situation | The situation now | The current situation requires attention. |
| 6. the present situation | The situation at present | The present situation remains uncertain. |
| 7. the current matter | The issue being dealt with now | We need to discuss the current matter. |
| 8. the issue | A particular problem or topic | The issue needs further discussion. |
| 9. the matter | The subject being discussed | The matter is more complicated than expected. |
| 10. the situation | The circumstances involved | The situation became difficult. |
Alternatives for Events and Circumstances
| Synonym / Alternative | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 11. the circumstance | A particular condition or fact | The circumstance changed our plans. |
| 12. the event | Something that happened | The event attracted hundreds of visitors. |
| 13. the incident | A particular occurrence | The incident was reported yesterday. |
| 14. the development | A new event or change | The development changed the project. |
| 15. the recent development | Something that happened recently | The recent development affected the schedule. |
| 16. the idea | A thought or proposal | The idea could save time. |
| 17. the concept | A general idea | The concept is easy to understand. |
| 18. the point | The idea being made | The point is easy to miss. |
| 19. the argument | A position or reasoning | The argument needs more evidence. |
| 20. the claim | A statement presented as true | The claim requires support. |
Alternatives for Statements and Information
| Synonym / Alternative | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 21. the statement | Something said or written | The statement caused confusion. |
| 22. the evidence | Facts supporting a conclusion | The evidence supports the theory. |
| 23. the information | Facts or details provided | The information is useful. |
| 24. the example | An illustration of an idea | The example makes the rule clearer. |
| 25. the result | An outcome | The result was unexpected. |
| 26. the outcome | The final result | The outcome surprised everyone. |
| 27. the finding | A result discovered through study | The finding supports earlier research. |
| 28. the observation | Something noticed | The observation was recorded carefully. |
| 29. the fact | Something known to be true | The fact remains important. |
| 30. the reason | The cause or explanation | The reason is easy to understand. |
Formal Alternatives for Earlier or Following Information
| Synonym / Alternative | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 31. the following | Information that comes next | Please read the following carefully. |
| 32. the above | Information stated earlier | The above explanation covers the main point. |
| 33. the preceding | Information immediately before | The preceding section explains the method. |
| 34. the aforementioned | Something already mentioned | The aforementioned study reached a similar conclusion. |
| 35. the aforesaid | Something previously mentioned | The aforesaid agreement remains valid. |
| 36. such | Something of the mentioned kind | Such behavior can cause problems. |
| 37. the same | The identical thing | The same problem occurred again. |
| 38. the object in question | The particular object being discussed | The object in question was examined. |
| 39. the person in question | The particular person being discussed | The person in question was interviewed. |
| 40. the subject in question | The particular subject discussed | The subject in question deserves attention. |
Alternatives for Specific Situations and Time
| Synonym / Alternative | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 41. the point in question | The specific point being discussed | The point in question remains unclear. |
| 42. here | The place being indicated | Please put the box here. |
| 43. now | The present moment | We need to act now. |
| 44. currently | At the present time | The system is currently unavailable. |
| 45. at present | At the current time | At present, no decision has been made. |
| 46. nowadays | In the present period | Nowadays, many people work remotely. |
| 47. today | On the present day | Today, the office closes early. |
| 48. at this point | At the current stage | At this point, we need more information. |
| 49. in this case → in the case in question | In the particular situation | In the case in question, the rule applies. |
| 50. this particular → the particular | The specific one being discussed | The particular example is useful. |
Important: Items such as that, these, here, now, today, and currently are not interchangeable with “this” in every sentence. They belong in the table because they can serve as contextual substitutes in specific grammatical situations.
Synonym Groups & Usage Differences
Formal
Formal writing may use expressions such as the aforementioned, the preceding, the matter in question, the issue in question, and the present situation.
For example:
The aforementioned study produced similar findings.
These expressions work better in reports, legal writing, and some academic contexts than in casual conversation.
Academic
Academic writing often benefits from replacing vague “this” with a precise noun:
- this → the evidence
- this → the finding
- this → the result
- this → the argument
- this → the observation
For example:
The experiment produced different results. This suggests…
can become:
The experiment produced different results. The finding suggests…
The second version tells readers exactly what you mean.
Professional
In workplace writing, useful alternatives include:
- the current situation
- the issue
- the matter
- the project
- the report
- the proposal
- the information
- the result
Specific nouns usually make professional writing clearer.
Conversational
In everyday speech, this itself is usually the most natural choice.
You can also use:
- that
- these
- here
- now
- today
- the thing
- the problem
- the idea
However, expressions such as the aforementioned can sound unnecessarily formal in normal conversation.
Stronger vs. weaker alternatives
“This” is often neutral rather than strong or weak. The meaning becomes more precise when you replace it with a specific noun.
Compare:
This is a problem.
with:
The scheduling problem is serious.
The second sentence gives more information.
Emotional vs. neutral
“This” can become emotional because of the situation surrounding it:
I can’t believe this!
The word itself is neutral, but the speaker’s tone can express surprise, frustration, excitement, or disbelief.
By contrast, the situation or the incident often sounds more neutral and detached.
Modern vs. old-fashioned
The aforementioned is still grammatically correct, but it sounds formal and sometimes old-fashioned compared with simply repeating a clear noun.
The aforesaid sounds even more formal and is uncommon in everyday English.
Antonyms of “This”
Because “this” is a demonstrative rather than a normal descriptive adjective, it does not have traditional antonyms. However, English has contrasting demonstratives and expressions.
| Antonym / Contrast | Meaning | Example |
| that | points to something more distant or previously identified | That house is beautiful. |
| those | plural form referring to more distant items | Those books are expensive. |
| then | contrasts with now in time | Things were different then. |
| there | contrasts with here in place | Put the bag there. |
| elsewhere | in another place | We can discuss it elsewhere. |
| the past | time before now | The past cannot be changed. |
| previously | at an earlier time | The system was previously different. |
These are contextual contrasts, not perfect grammatical antonyms.
Comparison: “This” and Related Words
Subtle meaning differences
“This” generally signals something close, current, or immediately relevant, while that often signals distance or previous reference.
This idea is useful.
That idea was discussed yesterday.
Tone differences
“This” sounds neutral and natural. The aforementioned sounds formal, while such can sound more detached.
This problem is serious.
The aforementioned problem is serious.
The second sentence belongs more naturally in formal writing.
Emotional intensity
“This” itself does not have a fixed emotional intensity. Context creates the emotion.
Look at this!
could express excitement.
I can’t believe this!
could express anger or disbelief.
By comparison, the incident sounds more objective:
The incident was reported to management.
Formality level
“This” works across almost every level of English.
The matter in question, the aforementioned, and the preceding are much more formal.
Therefore, do not automatically choose a formal substitute just because you are writing an essay.
Natural usage situations
Use this in ordinary conversation, instructions, emails, stories, and most everyday writing.
Use a specific noun in academic or professional writing when “this” could leave the reader wondering what you mean.
Common Phrases & Expressions
This is the point
Meaning: This is the main idea or important part.
Example:
This is the point I want everyone to understand.
This is why
Meaning: Used to introduce a reason or explanation.
Example:
I missed the bus. This is why I arrived late.
This is because
Meaning: Used to explain a cause.
Example:
The road is closed. This is because of the heavy rain.
This means that
Meaning: Used to explain the result or meaning of something.
Example:
The price increased. This means that customers will pay more.
This time
Meaning: On this particular occasion.
Example:
I usually make mistakes, but I got it right this time.
At this point
Meaning: At the current stage or moment.
Example:
At this point, we need more information.
This way
Meaning: In this manner or by this method.
Example:
If you organize your notes this way, studying becomes easier.
This kind of
Meaning: Referring to a particular type.
Example:
This kind of exercise helps beginners build confidence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Replacing “this” with an unnatural synonym
Do not write:
The aforementioned sandwich was delicious.
in a casual conversation when:
This sandwich was delicious.
sounds perfectly natural.
2. Using “this” without a clear reference
Avoid vague sentences such as:
The company changed the schedule and reduced staff. This created problems.
What created the problems—the schedule change, the staff reduction, or both?
A clearer version is:
The reduction in staff created problems.
3. Confusing “this” and “these”
Use this with singular nouns:
this book
Use these with plural nouns:
these books
4. Confusing “this” and “that”
Use the form that matches your intended distance or reference.
This chair beside me is comfortable.
That chair across the room is comfortable.
5. Overusing “the aforementioned”
It is grammatically correct, but repeating it can make writing stiff. Usually, repeating a clear noun is better.
FAQs
What is another word for “this”?
There is no single replacement that works in every sentence. Depending on context, you can use that, such, the present, the current situation, the following, the aforementioned, here, now, or a specific noun.
What is a formal synonym for “this”?
In formal writing, options include the aforementioned, the preceding, the present, the matter in question, and the current situation. However, a specific noun is often clearer.
Can “that” replace “this”?
Sometimes. “That” usually indicates something farther away or previously mentioned, while “this” often refers to something nearer or currently relevant.
What is the difference between “this” and “these”?
This normally refers to one person or thing, while these refers to more than one.
This book is useful.
These books are useful.
Is “this” formal or informal?
“This” is neutral. It works in casual conversation, school writing, professional emails, reports, and academic writing. The surrounding sentence determines the overall level of formality.
Conclusion
“This” is a small but extremely useful English word. It can point to a nearby object, refer to a recent idea, describe the current time, or introduce an important point.
Because its meaning changes according to context, there is no single synonym that works everywhere.
Instead of replacing “this” automatically, first identify what it refers to. In formal or academic writing, a specific noun such as the evidence, the result, the issue, the situation, or the finding can often make your sentence clearer.
