(yes, this is) or ( yes, it is)

[sash2008]

Hello,

Which one is correct?



Is this a cat?


Yes, this is.

Yes, it is.

 

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

The second one is correct.

Yes, this is a cat.
Yes, it is (a cat).

 

[sash2008]

Thanks
but I mean the short answer. I don't want to mention '' a cat".
So which one is correct
to say: thisis or itis?

 

[SirGod]

Thanks
but I mean the short answer. I don't want to mention '' a cat".
So which one is correct
to say: thisis or itis?

As I said, the second one ('Yes, it is.'). I put 'a cat' between brackets meaning that it's optional.

 

[sash2008]

Thank you but if a child asks me why "this" is converted to "it", how can I explain it in an easy and a simple way?

 

[emsr2d2]

Thank you but if a child asks me why "this" is converted to "it", how can I explain it in an easy and a simple way?

The easiest and simplest answer to any child's question which starts with the word "why" is: "That's just the way it is." ;-)

 

[SirGod]

The easiest and simplest answer to any child's question which starts with the word "why" is: "That's just the way it is." ;-)

Thank you, I couldn't come up with an answer.

 

[probus]

The answer that Fowler gave to all such questions is that idiom is cast iron.

 

[Raymott]

The answer that Fowler gave to all such questions is that idiom is cast iron.

Maybe, but 'it' is not an idiom. Nor is "Yes, it is."

 

[Raymott]

Thank you but if a child asks me why "this" is converted to "it", how can I explain it in an easy and a simple way?

The two speakers are in different relation to the cat. The first says, "Is this a cat?", indicating that the cat is in proximity to the speaker. That's not necessarily the case to the second speaker.

Note this dialogue:
A: "Is this a cat that I have in my arms?"
B: "Yes, that is a cat that you have in your arms."
I've embolded the words that change when the speaker changes.

There is also another reason for a change. Consider this:
"This is a cat. It has four legs." The demonstrative pronoun "this" has identified the object in question. After that, you can refer to it as "it".

Somehow, I don't think many children are going to be asking about this. They just accept it. It is grown up learners of English who ask these questions.

 

[probus]

You are right of course. I couldn't quickly think of another way to say "you can't say that, you have to say this" other than idiom.

Amazingly to me, I know how to say that in other languages, but not in my native tongue.