What's the Difference Between This, That, These, and Those? A Simple Guide

The difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' depends on two simple factors: number (is it one thing, or more than one?) and distance (is it near you, or far from you?). 'This' (singular) and 'these' (plural) refer to things that are close by, while 'that' (singular) and 'those' (plural) refer to things that are farther away.

Mastering these four common words, known as demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives, is a crucial step towards sounding more natural in English. If you often find yourself pausing and wondering which one to choose, you're in the right place. This guide will clearly explain the difference between this, that, these, and those, providing simple rules and clear examples to help you use them with confidence every time.

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

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

Number: Am I talking about one thing (singular) or multiple things (plural)?
Distance: Is the object close to me (near) or far away from me (far)?

Let's break this down.

Rule 1: Number (Singular vs. Plural)

First, identify if the noun you are referring to is singular or plural.

Singular (one thing): Use this or that.
*Example:* I want to buy this book (the one I'm holding).
*Example:* Can you see that bird (the one in the distant tree)?
Plural (more than one thing): Use these or those.
*Example:* I like these shoes (the ones I'm wearing).
*Example:* Those mountains are beautiful (the ones on the horizon).

Rule 2: Distance (Near vs. Far)

Next, consider the object's location relative to you, the speaker.

Near (here/close by): Use this or these.
*Example:* Is this your pen? (pointing to a pen on the table in front of you).
*Example:* Please pass me these papers (the papers right next to you).
Far (there/not close by): Use that or those.
*Example:* That house across the street is for sale.
*Example:* Who are those people waiting over there?

Here’s a simple chart to help you remember the grammar rules:

| | Near (Here) | Far (There) | |--------------|-------------|-------------| | Singular | this | that | | Plural | these | those |

How to Use This, That, These, and Those in Sentences

Now that you understand the basic rules of number and distance, let's look at how these words function in a sentence. They can act as either demonstrative adjectives or demonstrative pronouns.

As Demonstrative Adjectives

When used as an adjective, the word comes *before* the noun it is describing. It points out a specific noun.

This: "This coffee tastes great." (The coffee I am drinking right now).
That: "I liked that movie we saw last night." (The movie is distant in time).
These: "These cookies are delicious." (The cookies on the plate in front of me).
Those: "Could you grab those books from the top shelf?" (The books are far away).

As Demonstrative Pronouns

When used as a pronoun, the word *replaces* the noun. The noun is usually already understood from the context.

This: (Holding a phone) "This is my new phone."
That: (Pointing to a car across the street) "That is the car I want to buy."
These: (Looking at a pair of shoes in your hands) "These are very comfortable."
Those: (Seeing clouds in the sky) "Those look like they might bring rain."

Using Them for Time and Abstract Ideas

Distance isn't always physical. We also use these words to refer to distance in time or to refer to ideas.

Time: Use this/these for present or upcoming time (this week, these coming months). Use that/those for past time (that year was difficult, those were the days).
Ideas: Use this to introduce a new idea. Use that to refer back to an idea someone just mentioned.
*Example:* "Listen, this is what we need to do..."
*Example:* Person A: "I think we should postpone the meeting." Person B: "That is a good idea."

In conclusion, understanding the difference between this, that, these, and those simply comes down to remembering the rules of number and distance. Use 'this' for a singular item nearby, 'that' for a singular item far away, 'these' for plural items nearby, and 'those' for plural items far away. With practice, choosing the right word will become second nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'this' to introduce someone?

Yes, absolutely. It's very common, especially on the telephone or when introducing someone standing right next to you. For example: "Hi Sarah, this is my friend, Mark." On the phone, you would say, "Hello, this is John calling."

What's the difference between 'that' and 'which'?

'That' is a demonstrative word (pointing something out) but it can also be a relative pronoun, similar to 'which'. Generally, 'that' is used to introduce a restrictive clause (essential information), while 'which' introduces a non-restrictive clause (extra information) and is often set off by commas. For example: "The car that is red is mine" (tells you which car) vs. "The car, which is red, is mine" (adds extra info about the car).

How do I use 'these' and 'those' when talking about ideas?

'These' can be used to refer to a set of ideas or points you are about to make. For example: "Keep these points in mind: be on time, be prepared, and be positive." 'Those' is often used to refer to ideas or beliefs held by other people or from a different time. For example: "Some people believe the earth is flat. Those ideas have been disproven."

Is it 'this kind of' or 'these kinds of'?

This is a common point of confusion. If the noun that follows is singular, use 'this kind of'. For example: "I like this kind of book." If the noun is plural, it's more grammatically standard to use 'these kinds of'. For example: "I like these kinds of books."