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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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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up vote
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down vote
favorite
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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Nerd is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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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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asked 56 mins ago


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1
Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
– Hot Licks
47 mins ago
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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1
Because it's a particular man. Something was significant about him.
– Hot Licks
47 mins ago