The Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those' Explained

The key difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' is based on two factors: number (is it one thing or many?) and distance (is it near or far from you?). 'This' (singular) and 'these' (plural) refer to things close to the speaker, while 'that' (singular) and 'those' (plural) refer to things farther away. Understanding this simple concept is the first step to mastering these common English words.

Whether you're pointing to an object, introducing a friend, or discussing an idea, choosing the right demonstrative pronoun is essential for clear communication. Let's break down the rules so you can confidently explain the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' in any situation.

What’s the Core Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'?

At its heart, the choice is simple. You just need to ask yourself two questions:

How many things am I talking about? (One = singular; More than one = plural)
Where are they in relation to me? (Close by = near; At a distance = far)

Here’s a simple chart to help you visualize it:

Let’s look at each pair in more detail with specific examples.

When Should I Use 'This' and 'These' (For Things Nearby)?

You use 'this' and 'these' to talk about people or objects that are physically close to you. Think of things you can easily touch or that are in your immediate space.

H3: Using 'This' (Singular, Near)

Use 'this' when you are referring to one person or thing that is near you.

“This is my favorite coffee mug.” (as you hold it)
“Is this your seat?” (pointing to the seat next to you)
“I love this song!” (as it plays on the radio)

H3: Using 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use 'these' when you are referring to more than one person or thing that is near you.

“These grapes are delicious.” (from a bunch in your hand)
“Whose keys are these on the table?” (pointing to keys right in front of you)
“You should buy these shoes; they look great on you.” (while you are trying them on)

When Should I Use 'That' and 'Those' (For Things at a Distance)?

You use 'that' and 'those' for people or objects that are not close to you. They are farther away, across the room, or down the street.

H3: Using 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use 'that' when you are referring to one person or thing that is far from you.

“What is that building across the park?”
“That dog over there is barking loudly.”
“I’d like to buy that painting on the far wall.”

H3: Using 'Those' (Plural, Far)

Use 'those' when you are referring to more than one person or thing that is far from you.

“Can you see those birds on the telephone wire?”
“Those cars are driving too fast.”
“I think those are the mountains I was telling you about.”

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives

Another important distinction is how these words function in a sentence. They can stand alone as pronouns or modify a noun as adjectives.

As a Demonstrative Pronoun: The word replaces the noun.
*This* *is my pen.*
*That* *looks fun.*
*These* *are ripe.*
*Those* *belong to her.*
As a Demonstrative Adjective: The word comes before the noun to describe it.
*This pen* *is mine.*
*That game* *looks fun.*
*These apples* *are ripe.*
*Those books* *belong to her.*

Understanding this dual role helps you build more complex and accurate sentences.

Mastering the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' really just comes down to practice. By remembering the simple rules of number (singular/plural) and distance (near/far), you'll quickly build the confidence to use them correctly every time. They are small words, but they make a big impact on your English fluency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can you use 'this' to introduce people?

Yes, absolutely! It’s very common to use 'this' when introducing someone in person or on the phone. For example: “Hi Mark, this is my colleague, Jane.” On the phone, you might say, “Hi, this is David from accounting.”

Q2: What's the difference between 'this is' and 'it is'?

Generally, you use 'this is' to identify or point something out for the first time. You use 'it is' to give more information about something that has already been identified. For example: “This is a tracking device. It is very small and uses GPS.”

Q3: How do I choose between 'this people' and 'these people'?

You should always use 'these people'. The word 'people' is a plural noun, so it requires the plural demonstrative 'these' (if they are near) or 'those' (if they are far). 'This people' is grammatically incorrect.

Q4: Can 'that' and 'those' be used to talk about time?

Yes. We often use 'that' and 'those' to refer to things in the past. For example: “I loved growing up in the 90s. Those were the days!” or “Do you remember that concert we went to last year?” Conversely, 'this' and 'these' often refer to the present or future: “This week is going to be busy.”