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

The main difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' is based on two simple rules: distance (near or far) and number (singular or plural). 'This' and 'these' refer to things that are close to the speaker, while 'that' and 'those' point to things that are farther away.

Mastering these four little words, known as demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, will make your English sound much more natural. Let's break down the easy rules to help you understand the core difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' so you can use them with confidence.

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

To choose the right word, you only need to ask yourself two questions:

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

These words help you 'point' to specific things without confusion. Think of them as pointing with your words. Here is a simple chart to help you visualize the rules:

Let’s explore each pair in more detail with clear examples.

When Should I Use 'This' and 'These' for Nearby Things?

We use 'this' and 'these' to talk about people or objects that are physically close to us. Imagine you can touch them or they are in the same room.

Using 'This' (Singular, Near)

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

This book in my hand is very heavy.
This is my house.
I love this song playing on the radio right now.
Is this your pen on my desk?

Using 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use 'these' when you are referring to more than one person, place, or thing that is near you. 'These' is the plural form of 'this'.

These shoes feel very comfortable.
Could you pass me these papers?
These are my friends, Mark and Sarah.
Whose keys are these?

How Do 'That' and 'Those' Work for Distant Things?

We use 'that' and 'those' to talk about people or objects that are farther away from us. You can see them, but you can't easily reach out and touch them.

Using 'That' (Singular, Far)

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

Do you see that bird in the tree?
That building across the street is the library.
What is that noise?
That is a beautiful painting on the far wall.

Using 'Those' (Plural, Far)

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

Those cars on the highway are moving fast.
Who are those people standing over there?
I would like to buy two of those cakes in the window.
Those mountains in the distance are called the Alps.

Quick Guide: Understanding the Difference Between This, That, These, and Those

Feeling more confident? Let's summarize everything in a simple list. This is your cheat sheet for choosing the correct word every time.

This 👉 One thing, near you.
*Example:* I am reading this sentence.
That 👉 One thing, far from you.
*Example:* What is that cloud in the sky?
These 👉 Two or more things, near you.
*Example:* These words on this page are helpful.
Those 👉 Two or more things, far from you.
*Example:* Those stars are so bright tonight.

Beyond Physical Distance: Time and Ideas

You can also use these words to talk about time or abstract concepts. 'This' and 'these' often refer to the present or future, while 'that' and 'those' refer to the past.

This is the best day of my life! (Present)
That was a terrible movie we watched last night. (Past)
Listen to this idea. (Something I'm about to say)
I'll never forget that day. (A specific day in the past)

Understanding the difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' is a key step in your English journey. Practice by pointing to objects around you and describing them. With a little practice, using these demonstrative pronouns will become second nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' for people?

Yes, you can! It's very common, especially when introducing people or identifying them from a distance. For example: "This is my sister, Emily." Or, if you're pointing to a group photo, you could say, "That was me on the left, and those are my cousins."

Q2: What's the difference between saying "This is a book" and "This book is heavy"?

Great question! This shows the two ways these words can be used. In "This is a book," 'this' is a demonstrative pronoun because it replaces the noun. In "This book is heavy," 'this' is a demonstrative adjective because it describes the noun ('book'). The meaning is the same; it's just a small grammar difference.

Q3: How do you use these words to talk about time?

We often use 'this' and 'these' for time periods that are current or happening now, like 'this week,' 'this month,' or 'these days.' We use 'that' and 'those' for completed time periods in the past, such as "Do you remember that summer we went to Spain?" or "Those were the good old days."

Q4: What is the plural of 'that'?

The plural of 'that' is 'those.' Just as you would switch from one object to multiple objects (e.g., car to cars), you switch from 'that' to 'those' when talking about things that are far away. (e.g., "that car" becomes "those cars"). Similarly, the plural of 'this' is 'these.'

Q5: How can I practice using this, that, these, and those correctly?

A simple and effective way to practice is to sit in a room and describe what you see. Pick up an object near you and say, "This is a pen." Point to something across the room and say, "That is a window." Then do the same with plural objects: "These are my keys," and "Those are pictures on the wall."