This, That, These, Those: A Simple Guide to the Difference for Beginners

The difference between this, that, these, and those depends on two simple rules: distance (is it near you or far from you?) and number (is it one thing or more than one thing?). We use 'this' and 'these' for things that are close, and 'that' and 'those' for things that are farther away.

Mastering these four little words, known as demonstratives, is a huge step in sounding more natural when you speak English. They act like pointing words, helping your listener understand exactly which noun you are talking about. Let's break down the rules with clear examples to make it easy.

What Exactly Are 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'?

In English grammar, these words are called demonstrative pronouns or demonstrative adjectives. That sounds complicated, but their job is simple: they 'demonstrate' or point to a specific person, place, or thing. To choose the right one, you only need to ask yourself two questions:

Is the object near me or far from me? (Distance)
Am I talking about one object (singular) or multiple objects (plural)? (Number)

Here’s a simple chart to help you remember:

Understanding the Core Difference Between This, That, These, and Those

Let's dive deeper into how to use each word correctly. The key is to think about where the object is in relation to you, the speaker.

When to Use 'This' and 'These' (For Things Near You)

We use 'this' and 'these' to talk about people or objects that are physically close to us. Think of them as things you can easily touch or that are 'here' with you.

H3: Using 'This' (Singular, Near)

Use 'this' when you are pointing to one single thing that is near you.

This book in my hand is very interesting.
Is this your seat?
I love this song playing on the radio right now.

H3: Using 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use 'these' when you are pointing to more than one thing that is near you.

These cookies smell amazing!
Are these your keys on the table?
I bought these shoes yesterday.

When to Use 'That' and 'Those' (For Things Far From You)

We use 'that' and 'those' to talk about people or objects that are farther away from us. Think of them as things you have to point to, that are 'over there'.

H3: Using 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use 'that' when you are pointing to one single thing that is far from you.

Can you see that bird on the roof?
That building across the street is the bank.
Who is that person waving at us?

H3: Using 'Those' (Plural, Far)

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

Look at those beautiful mountains in the distance.
Those cars are driving very fast.
Who are those children playing in the park?

Beyond Physical Space: This, That, These, and Those for Time and Ideas

The difference between this, that, these, and those also applies to non-physical concepts like time and ideas in a conversation.

This/These for Time: We use 'this' and 'these' for current, recent, or future time periods.
*Example:* I am very busy this week.
*Example:* These last few days have been warm.

That/Those for Time: We use 'that' and 'those' for past time periods.
*Example:* Do you remember our trip in 2010? That was a fun summer.
*Example:* Those were the good old days.

In Conversation: 'That' is very common to refer to something someone just said.
*Person A:* "I just finished my final exam."
*Person B:* "That's great news!"

Conclusion: Mastering the Pointing Words

Understanding the difference between this, that, these, and those is a fundamental skill for any English learner. Just remember the two simple rules of distance (near/far) and number (singular/plural), and you'll be using them like a native speaker in no time. Practice pointing to objects around you and describing them to build your confidence!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the easiest way to remember this, that, these, and those?

A: A simple trick is to remember that the words with a 'T' (this and these) are for things that are 'here' and can be touched. The words with an 'O' (that and those) are for things that are over there.

Q2: Can I use 'this' or 'that' when introducing a person?

A: Yes, it's very common, especially on the phone or when the person is not clearly visible to everyone. For example, if you are with a friend, you can say, "Anna, this is my colleague, Mark." On the phone, you might say, "Hi, is that Maria?"

Q3: What is the singular of 'those'?

A: The singular of 'those' is 'that'. 'Those' is used for multiple items that are far away, while 'that' is used for a single item that is far away. For example, "I like that car" (singular) becomes "I like those cars" (plural).

Q4: How do you use 'this' and 'that' to talk about ideas?

A: We often use 'this' to introduce a new idea or suggestion we are about to make. For example: "Listen to this idea: what if we go to the beach?" We use 'that' to react to an idea someone else just mentioned. For example: "Go to the beach? That's a brilliant idea!"

Q5: Are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' pronouns or adjectives?

A: They can be both! They are demonstrative adjectives when they come before a noun (e.g., "This book is mine"). They are demonstrative pronouns when they replace the noun (e.g., "This is mine"). The rules of near/far and singular/plural remain the same.