This or That? The Simple Difference Between This, That, These, and Those

‘This’, ‘that’, ‘these’, and ‘those’ are demonstratives used to point to specific people or things. The main difference is based on distance and number: ‘this’ (singular) and ‘these’ (plural) are for items near you, while ‘that’ (singular) and ‘those’ (plural) are for items far from you.

Welcome to your journey of learning English! Some of the most common words you'll encounter are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'. They might seem confusing at first, but they follow very simple rules. Understanding the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' will make your English sound more natural and precise. Think of them as “pointing words”—words you use to show someone what you’re talking about.

In this guide, we'll break down these four words with clear explanations and easy-to-remember examples.

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

To master these words, you only need to ask yourself two simple questions:

Number: Am I talking about one thing (singular) or more than one thing (plural)?
Distance: Is the thing near me or far from me?

Here’s a simple chart to help you visualize the rule:

Let’s dive deeper into each pair.

How Do I Use 'This' and 'That' for Singular Items?

When you are talking about only one person or thing, you will use either 'this' or 'that'. The choice depends on its location relative to you.

When to Use 'This' (Singular, Near)

Use 'this' to point to a single item that is close to you. “Close” can mean in your hand, on your desk, or within arm's reach. It's associated with the word 'here'.

This apple in my hand is delicious. (The apple is here, with me)
Is this your pen? (Pointing to a pen right in front of you)
I love this song. (The song is playing now)

When to Use 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use 'that' to point to a single item that is far from you. “Far” means across the room, outside, or generally not close to you. It's associated with the word 'there'.

That house across the street is beautiful. (The house is over there, not here)
Can you see that bird? (The bird is far away)
I didn’t like that movie we watched last week. (The movie is distant in time)

Understanding the Difference Between This, That, These, and Those in Plural Form

When you are talking about more than one person or thing, you will use either 'these' or 'those'. Again, the choice depends on their location.

When to Use 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use 'these' to point to multiple items that are close to you. 'These' is the plural form of 'this'.

These books on my desk are for my English class. (The books are here)
Are these your keys? (The keys are in your hand or very close)
These cookies taste amazing! (You are eating them now)

When to Use 'Those' (Plural, Far)

Use 'those' to point to multiple items that are far away from you. 'Those' is the plural form of 'that'.

Those mountains in the distance are called the Alps. (The mountains are over there)
Who are those people waiting outside? (The people are far away)
I prefer those chairs in the other room. (The chairs are not here)

Quick Summary of the Rules

Let’s put it all together. Here are the four rules in one place:

This: One thing, near me. (Example: I want this piece of cake.)
That: One thing, far from me. (Example: I want that piece of cake at the back.)
These: More than one thing, near me. (Example: I like these shoes I'm wearing.)
Those: More than one thing, far from me. (Example: I like those shoes in the shop window.)

Conclusion: Mastering Your Pointing Words

And that’s it! The key to understanding the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' all comes down to number and distance. By asking yourself if the object is singular or plural, and if it's near or far, you can choose the correct word every time. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' be used for things other than physical objects?

Yes, absolutely! You can use them to refer to ideas, situations, or periods of time. For example: "This is a great idea." (an idea you just had), "That was a difficult time in my life." (a time in the past), or "Listen to this!" (something you are about to say).

Q2: What is the difference between saying "This is my pen" and "This pen is mine"?

Great question! In "This is my pen," 'this' is a demonstrative pronoun—it replaces the noun. In "This pen is mine," 'this' is a demonstrative adjective—it describes the noun 'pen'. The meaning is the same, but the grammar structure is slightly different.

Q3: Is there a trick to remember which words are plural?

Yes! A simple trick is to look at the word length. 'These' and 'those' are longer words (5 letters and 4 letters with an 'e') and are used for plural (more than one) items. 'This' and 'that' are shorter (4 letters) and are used for singular (one) items.

Q4: How do you properly pronounce the difference between 'this' and 'these'?

This is a common challenge. 'This' has a short 'i' sound, like in the word 'sit' or 'is'. 'These' has a long 'ee' sound, like in the word 'see' or 'cheese'. Practicing these two sounds will help others understand you clearly.

Q5: Is it correct to say "these people" or "this people"?

The word 'people' is a plural noun, even though it doesn't end in '-s'. Therefore, you must use a plural demonstrative. The correct phrase is "these people" (if they are near) or "those people" (if they are far away).