"At this" is spelled with the phonemes /æt ðɪs/. The first phoneme, /æ/, represents the short vowel sound in "cat" and "hat". The second group, /t ð/, represents the voiceless dental plosive followed by the voiced dental fricative sound found in "hat" and "this". The final phoneme, /ɪs/, represents the short vowel sound in "sit" and "hit". Overall, the spelling of "at this" accurately represents its pronunciation with the use of the English alphabet.
"At this" is a phrase used to refer to the current or present moment or situation. It is often used to emphasize the immediacy or relevance of a certain point or topic being discussed. This phrase is typically used to draw attention to something specific that is happening or being talked about now, rather than in the past or future.
The meaning of "at this" can vary depending on the context in which it is used. For example, when someone says, "I can't talk about it at this moment," it means that they are unable to discuss the matter immediately. Similarly, if someone says, "At this stage, we need more information," it suggests that additional information is necessary for the current phase or step of a process.
In some cases, "at this" may be used to express surprise, disbelief, or disappointment. For instance, if someone says, "I can't believe he did that at this age," it implies that the person finds it astonishing or unexpected for someone to behave in a certain way considering their current stage of life or circumstances.
Overall, "at this" is a versatile phrase that highlights the significance of the current moment or situation in relation to the topic being discussed. It adds emphasis or importance to the matter at hand while also providing clarity and context for the conversation.
The word "at" is derived from the Old English "æt", which ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic "at", meaning "at, near, by, toward". It can be traced back further to the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂et-", meaning "and, but".
The word "this" can be traced back to the Old English "þis", which is believed to be derived from the West Germanic "this", meaning "this". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic "this", which shares its origin with the Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Old High German, and Old Norse equivalents.
When combined, "at" and "this" form the phrase "at this".