Why do people say 'this' instead of 'a', especially in spoken discourse?





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For example, some people might say "I saw this man just now..." instead of "I saw a man just now...".






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    Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
    – Hot Licks
    47 mins ago

















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For example, some people might say "I saw this man just now..." instead of "I saw a man just now...".






determiners







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  • 1




    Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
    – Hot Licks
    47 mins ago













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up vote
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down vote

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For example, some people might say "I saw this man just now..." instead of "I saw a man just now...".






determiners







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For example, some people might say "I saw this man just now..." instead of "I saw a man just now...".






determiners




determiners






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  • 1




    Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
    – Hot Licks
    47 mins ago














  • 1




    Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
    – Hot Licks
    47 mins ago








1




1




Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
– Hot Licks
47 mins ago




Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
– Hot Licks
47 mins ago















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