So what’s where correct? And what else to consider at your (English speaking) place?
Consider:
- I want that.
- I want this, too.
- I want the same.
I’m asking this (and that) since I participated a discussion with only native speakers and it crushed me. Apparently I am the worst English speaker anywhere.
Teach me things, Lemmy. Pleeaase!
Post scriptum: You may prepend your comment with a common, international country code to don’t fuck with me too hard.
I’ve read your post a few times and I’m still not sure what your actual question is. You may want to rephrase your post to better convey what you’re looking for (or maybe it’s just me!)
I have no idea either
I’m not sure I really understand the question. ‘this’ and ‘that’ are both used to tlsk about something when it’s obvious from context what you’re referring to.
Situation - in a bakery “i want that” (pointing at the cake on the shelf) “I want this too” (pointing at the bread by the counter) Next customer “i want the same”
Situation - you’re on a date in fancy restaurant, you’re date has just finished explaining she wants to have lots of children “I want that” (the children she’s been discussing) “but I want this too” (gesturing around at the adult single life you’re enjoying " " I want this too" she reassures you
I don’t think there’s much variation between the main English dialects / varities. This and that are key grammatical words.
Can you give some more context for your question? It sounds like you might be replying to someone who just expressed a desire for something that you also want, but the specifics of the situation might make one reply feel more natural than another.
But based on nothing else, I’d say “I want that.” Or “I want that, too.” sounds natural to me, an East Coast American in the NYC area.
Also, looking at your posts, your English seems pretty natural, I wouldn’t guess you’re a non-native speaker reading what you write online. I can see some over-formality that I know to look for something deviant, but it’s not immediately apparent.
(UK) All three are technically correct, but 1 and 3 are the most commonly used. 1 is casual and the most frequently said (mainly because it has fewer syllables and we humans are lazy).
Edit: Thinking about this more. Phrase 1 is what you would normally use when you desire something that is not shared with others, for example:
“I found this old slice of bread behind the sofa…”
“I want that!”
Or “This week’s jackpot is 1 billion pounds!”
“I WANT THAT!”
Phrase 2 or 3 are normally used when you are expressing a common desire.
“I wish this skyscraper would just fall on top of me so I don’t have to go to work tomorrow” “I want the same”
“I wish Uncle would stop drinking.” “I want this too, but he is very thirsty.”