This vs. That: The Key Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'

In English, 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' are used to point to specific things or people. The main difference is that 'this' and 'these' refer to items near you, while 'that' and 'those' refer to items far from you. 'This' and 'that' are for singular items, and 'these' and 'those' are for plural items.

Understanding the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' is a crucial step for any beginner learning English. These words, known as demonstratives, help us identify exactly what we're talking about without confusion. They answer the question "Which one?" Let's break down this concept into two simple rules: distance and number.

What is the Main Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'?

The two most important factors for choosing the correct word are distance (is it near or far?) and number (is it singular or plural?).

Think of it like this:

THIS: One item that is near you.
THESE: Multiple items that are near you.
THAT: One item that is far from you.
THOSE: Multiple items that are far from you.

Let's look at each pair in more detail.

How Do You Use 'This' and 'These' for Things Nearby?

You use 'this' and 'these' to talk about people or objects that are close to you. This can mean something you are holding, touching, or standing right next to.

H3: When to Use 'This' (Singular, Near)

Use 'this' when you are referring to a single person, place, or thing that is close to you.

Example 1: (Holding a book) "This book is very interesting."
Example 2: (Pointing to a cup on your desk) "Is this your cup of coffee?"
Example 3: (Introducing a friend standing next to you) "Mary, this is my colleague, John."

H3: When to Use 'These' (Plural, Near)

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

Example 1: (Holding a bunch of keys) "Are these your keys?"
Example 2: (Looking at shoes you are wearing) "I think these shoes are very comfortable."
Example 3: (Pointing to documents on the table in front of you) "Please sign these papers."

How Do You Use 'That' and 'Those' for Things Far Away?

You use 'that' and 'those' to talk about people or objects that are at a distance from you. They are not within your immediate reach.

H3: When to Use 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use 'that' when you are referring to a single person, place, or thing that is far from you.

Example 1: (Pointing to a house across the street) "I would love to live in that house."
Example 2: (Looking at a bird in a tree) "Can you see that bird?"
Example 3: (Referring to an event from the past) "That concert we saw last month was amazing."

H3: When to Use 'Those' (Plural, Far)

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

Example 1: (Pointing to people on the other side of the room) "Who are those people talking to the manager?"
Example 2: (Looking at clouds in the sky) "Those clouds look like they might bring rain."
Example 3: (Referring to items in a shop window) "I really like those jackets."

Common Nuances and the Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'

Beyond physical distance, these words have other common uses that are important to learn.

On the Telephone: When you introduce yourself on the phone, you use 'this'.
"Hello, this is Sarah calling."

Introducing Ideas: 'This' can introduce a new idea you are about to explain. 'That' often refers back to an idea someone else just said.
"Listen to this. What if we moved the meeting to Friday?" (Introducing your idea)
Person A: "We should move the meeting to Friday." Person B: "That is a great idea." (Referring to Person A's idea)

Referring to Time: We use 'this' and 'these' for current or upcoming time periods and 'that' and 'those' for past time periods.
"I am very busy this week."
"I remember those days when we had no internet."

Mastering the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' simply takes practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use them in movies and everyday conversation. Soon, choosing the right word will become second nature!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use 'this' to introduce myself on the phone?

Yes, absolutely. It is the standard and most natural way to introduce yourself in English on the telephone. For example, you would say, "Hi, this is Mark," not "Hi, I am Mark."

What is the difference between 'this is' and 'it is'?

'This is' is used to point out or introduce a specific thing or person for the first time. 'It is' is used to give more information about something that has already been mentioned. For example: "*This is* my new car. *It is* very fast."

How do you use 'these' and 'those' when talking about time?

'These' refers to a current or recent plural period of time, such as "These days, everyone seems to have a smartphone." 'Those' refers to a plural period of time in the more distant past, like in, "I miss those days when we used to play outside all summer."

When do you use 'that' to agree with someone?

'That' is commonly used to refer to an idea, statement, or opinion someone has just expressed, often to show agreement. For instance, if a friend says, "The movie was fantastic!" you might reply, "That's true!" or "That's what I thought, too!"

Is it correct to say 'this people' or 'these people'?

Since 'people' is a plural noun, you must use the plural demonstrative 'these'. The correct phrase is always "these people." For example, "These people are waiting in line."