Reply
Fri 27 May, 2011 03:24 am
I find in some ESL school primary class lessons this instruction:
"If someone asks the question 'What is this?', give the answer 'It is.... ' For example,
(1) ' What is this?'
'It is an apple'.
(2) 'What is that'
'It is a dog'."
I think in the first case the answer should be 'This is an apple' and in the second case it should be 'That is a dog'.
What is the correct British usage in such contexts? Thanks.
@prmd,
Both are correct either way.
I believe that most English speakers would use the spoken contaction it's, rather than it is.
@prmd,
To use "this is" you would have to have some possession of the item...holding it, or waving towards it . The person who asks "what is this" has already indicated they have possession . You would respond with out possessing it by using "it is" or "that is" . If a person asked "what is that", they have indicated they do not have possession so you could reply with "this is" or if no one has possession by "it is" . But under both circumstances you could get away with "it is" .
Both are okay. The answer should grammatically be 'This is" or "That is" but when we use them in spoken English, less notice is given to the pronoun as long as the meaning is delivered. Even, grammatically the answers will be acceptable.
@easyenglishlearning,
Welcome. I hope you find more questions to get involved with.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace