Learn English – Difference between “the” and “that”

deixisdifferencesthe-thatword-choice

I wonder what the difference between the and that in this context is:

A: Hey, I've heard we have a new printer.
B: Really? Let's print the documents on the/that new printer then.

Best Answer

I think the two real choices are:

  • Let's print the documents on the new printer then.
  • Let's print the documents on that printer then.

Both the above seem pretty much identical in meaning to me. The second can only be used following a mention of a specific printer, or accompanied by physically indicating a printer. The first can be used in those contexts but doesn't require any context of that sort.

Only if there were several new printers and someone had previously referred specifically to one of them (e.g. "One of the new printers is fast!") would I write or say:

  • Let's print the documents on that new printer then.
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