The pronouns this and that
The deictics this and that can function as NG heads to refer to a whole proposition or situation or something inferred from it, a use classified here as pronominal. These pronominal references may be anaphoric (to a previous part of the discourse), cataphoric (to a later part of the discourse) or exophoric (to something outside the discourse):
Anaphoric reference: Hilda was making a Dutch Delft cake at the oven. This was her
speciality and she made it on every occasion. [ATE]
Cataphoric reference: This is a security announcement: Would those passengers who
have left bags on their seats please remove them.
Exophoric reference: I never thought things would come to this. (= to this extreme)
We can see that all the referents in these examples are inanimate and general, and some of them refer to pieces of extended discourse.
Reference to persons by the pronouns this and that is limited in English to the following uses:
So far we have seen this indicating proximity to the speaker and that distance. However, these terms are often interpreted subjectively. For instance, an event distant in time may be referred to as this if it has just been mentioned:
Columbus discovered the Bahamas in 1492 and this changed the course of history.
Conversely, events near in time may be referred to by that when an effect of psychological distancing is required. In many cases, however, the choice is open:
If the Opposition wins the motion of ‘No Confidence’ today, that/this will mean the end of the present government.
