1.124 'this' and 'that'

'This' and 'that' are usually used as pronouns only when they refer to things. You use them instead of a singular count noun or an uncount noun.

• This is a list of the rules.
• This is the first truly British fast food.
• The biggest problem was the accent. That was difficult for me.
• That looks interesting.

1.125

'This' and 'that' can be used as pronouns to refer to a person when you are identifying someone or asking who they are.

• Who's this?
• He paused at a photograph which stood on the dressing table. 'Is this your wife?'
• Was that Patrick on the phone?

When you are introducing people, you can say 'This is Mary' or 'This is Mr and Mrs Baker'. Note that you use 'this' even when you are introducing more than one person.