9.42 'this' and 'these'

The use of 'this' to refer back to something was explained in paragraphs 9.7 to 9.10. You can also use 'this' or 'these' to refer forward to what you are about to say. They can be both pronouns and determiners. Note that 'these' can only be a pronoun when it is the subject.

• Well, you might not believe this but I don't drink very much.
• Perhaps I shouldn't confess this, but I did on one occasion break the law.
• This chapter will follow the same pattern as the previous one.
• These were the facts: On a warm February afternoon, Gregory Clark and a friend were cruising down Washington Boulevard in a Mustang.
• On the blackboard these words were written: Reading. Writing. Arithmetic.

9.43

When 'this' and 'these' are used to refer forward to something, they are most commonly used with nouns which refer to a piece of writing (see paragraph 9.23). Sometimes they are used with nouns which refer to what is said (see paragraph 9.19) and with nouns which refer to ideas (see paragraph 9.20). They occasionally occur with nouns which refer to actions or events (see paragraph 9.21).