This is or it is?

Use this to point to something near you right now, especially the first time you mention it, and use it once you have already named the thing and want to say more about it. This is my new bag. It is very light.

The rule

This points to something present at the moment of speaking: in your hand, on the table, or right in front of you. It usually comes with a gesture or a word like look, hold or try. Once you have named the thing with this, you switch to it for anything you say next; you do not keep saying this every time.

Using it instead of this to point at something new sounds strange, because it never introduces something for the first time. Repeating this after the first mention also sounds strange, because this always signals something new or present right now.

Form

Examples

• This is my new watch.
• It is quite expensive.
• Look! This is a photo from my trip.
• It is one of my favourite photos.
• Try this cake. This is homemade.

Common mistakes

• ❌ It is my new phone. → ✅ This is my new phone. Point to something present for the first time with this, not it.
• ❌ This is my coffee. This is too hot. → ✅ This is my coffee. It is too hot. After the first mention, switch to it; do not repeat this.
• ❌ Look! It is a shooting star. → ✅ Look! This is a shooting star. A word like look signals that you are pointing at something new, so use this.
• ❌ I have a new bag. This is very light. → ✅ I have a new bag. It is very light. The bag is already named, so continue with it, not this.