This vs. That: A Clear Guide to the Difference Between This, That, These, and Those

The main difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' lies in two simple concepts: number (is it singular or plural?) and distance (is it near or far?). 'This' (singular) and 'these' (plural) refer to things physically close to you. 'That' (singular) and 'those' (plural) refer to things farther away from you.

Understanding these four little words, called demonstratives, is a huge step toward sounding more natural in English. They help you point out specific people or objects clearly. Getting them right is easy once you learn the rules. In this guide, we'll break down the complete difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' with simple explanations and lots of clear examples.

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

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

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

'Distance' doesn't just mean physical space. It can also refer to distance in time (now vs. the past) or emotional distance. 'Here' and 'there' are great clues. If you would use the word 'here', you probably need 'this' or 'these'. If you would use the word 'there', you probably need 'that' or 'those'.

Here's a simple chart to help you remember:

When Should I Use 'This' and 'These'? (For Things Nearby)

You use 'this' and 'these' to talk about people, objects, or ideas that are close to you in space or time.

How to Use 'This' (Singular, Near)

Use this when you are referring to a single item, person, or idea that is here with you.

For physical objects: "Do you like this shirt I'm wearing?"
To introduce people: "Mom, this is my friend, Alex."
When you're on the phone: "Hello, this is John calling."
For current situations or ideas: "I love this song! It's my favorite right now."

How to Use 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use these when you are referring to more than one item or person that is here with you.

For physical objects: "These cookies are delicious. Did you bake them?"
For ideas or repeated events: "I've been having strange dreams these past few nights."

When Should I Use 'That' and 'Those'? (For Things Far Away)

You use 'that' and 'those' to talk about people, objects, or ideas that are not close to you. They are 'over there'.

How to Use 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use that when you are referring to a single item, person, or idea that is far from you in space or time.

For physical objects: "Can you see that boat on the lake?"
To refer to something someone said: Person A: "I got the job!" Person B: "That's wonderful news!"
For past events or experiences: "I remember my first day of school. That was a scary day."

How to Use 'Those' (Plural, Far)

Use those when you are referring to more than one item or person that is far from you.

For physical objects: "Who are those people waiting by the door?"
To refer to things in the past: "In the 90s, the fashion was different. Those were the days!"

Are They Pronouns or Adjectives?

'This', 'that', 'these', and 'those' can be used in two ways: as demonstrative pronouns or demonstrative adjectives. It sounds complicated, but the difference is simple.

A demonstrative pronoun *replaces* a noun.
Example: "This is my car." (The word 'this' stands alone as the subject).
A demonstrative adjective *modifies* a noun. It comes before the noun.
Example: "This car is mine." (The word 'this' describes which car).

Don't worry too much about the grammar terms. Just notice how the word is used in the sentence—either alone or with a noun right after it.

Conclusion: Master the Distance and Number

Perfecting your English means paying attention to the small details. Now that you understand the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those', you can communicate with more precision. Just remember to check for number (one or many?) and distance (here or there?), and you'll choose the right word every time. This simple skill will make your speech clearer and more accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use 'this' and 'that' to talk about time?

Yes, absolutely. 'This' refers to a current or upcoming time period (e.g., "I'm very busy *this* week"). 'That' often refers to a time in the past (e.g., "I visited Paris in 2010. *That* was a great year").

What's the mistake in saying 'these information'?

This is a common error. The word 'information' is an uncountable noun, which means it doesn't have a plural form. You should always treat it as singular. The correct phrases are "*this* information" or "*that* information."

How do you use 'this' when talking on the phone?

When introducing yourself on the phone, it is standard in English to say, "Hi, *this* is Maria." You use 'this' to refer to yourself in that specific context, not "I am Maria."

Is it correct to say 'these kind of things'?

This is another very common mistake, even for native speakers. Since 'kind' is a singular noun, you should use 'this' with it. The grammatically correct phrases are "*this kind* of thing" (singular) or "*these kinds* of things" (plural).

Can 'that' be used to show you agree or understand?

Yes. 'That' is frequently used to refer back to an idea, statement, or story someone just shared. If a friend says, "My flight was cancelled," you might respond, "Oh, *that*'s terrible!" to show you are reacting to their situation.