The real difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' is based on two simple concepts: distance (near vs. far) and number (singular vs. plural). 'This' and 'these' refer to things that are close to the speaker, while 'that' and 'those' refer to things that are farther away.
Mastering English often comes down to understanding small but crucial words. If you've ever struggled with the difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those,' you're not alone. These 'pointing words,' officially known as demonstratives, are essential for clear communication, helping you specify exactly what you're talking about. Let's break down the rules with simple examples to make them easy to remember.
What is the main difference between 'this' and 'that'?
The choice between 'this' and 'that' is all about distance when you are talking about a single item (singular).
Using 'This' for Singular Things That Are Near
Use 'this' to refer to a single person, place, or thing that is close to you. This can mean physically close (within arm's reach) or close in time (happening now).
- Example: "This is my favorite coffee mug." (You are holding it or pointing to it right next to you.)
- Example: "I am really enjoying this conversation." (The conversation is happening right now.)
Using 'That' for Singular Things That Are Far
Use 'that' to refer to a single person, place, or thing that is farther away from you. This can mean physically distant or something that happened in the past.
- Example: "Do you see that house on top of the hill?" (The house is far away.)
- Example: "Remember our trip to Spain? That was an amazing vacation." (The trip happened in the past.)
What is the difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' when we talk about plurals?
Just as 'this' and 'that' handle singular items, 'these' and 'those' handle multiple items (plural). They follow the exact same rule of distance.
Using 'These' for Plural Things That Are Near
'These' is the plural form of 'this.' Use it to refer to more than one thing that is close to you in space or time.
- Example: "These cookies are delicious!" (The cookies are on a plate in front of you.)
- Example: "These next few days are going to be very busy." (Referring to the immediate future.)
Using 'Those' for Plural Things That Are Far
'Those' is the plural form of 'that.' Use it to refer to more than one thing that is farther away from you in space or time.
- Example: "Who are those people waiting across the street?" (The people are at a distance.)
- Example: "I loved the 1980s. Those were the days!" (Referring to a decade in the past.)
How can I remember the rules easily?
A great way to remember these demonstrative pronouns is to use a simple chart. Think about whether the object is 'here' (near) or 'there' (far).
- Near (Here):
- Singular (one thing): This
- Plural (more than one thing): These
- Far (There):
- Singular (one thing): That
- Plural (more than one thing): Those
How are these words used beyond physical distance?
While distance is the primary rule, these words have other important uses related to time, ideas, and introductions.
Referring to Time
We use 'this' and 'these' for present or upcoming time periods.
- "This morning, I went for a run."
- "What are you doing these days?"
We use 'that' and 'those' for past time periods.
- "We met in 2010. That was the year I graduated."
Referring to Ideas or Situations
'That' is very common for referring to something someone just said. 'This' can refer to a current situation or a point you are about to make.
- Friend: "I'm thinking of learning to play the guitar." You: "That is a fantastic idea!"
- "Listen to this: I have a plan to solve our problem."
Introducing People
In English, we always use 'this' to introduce people, even if they are standing a bit farther away.
- "Maria, this is my colleague, David."
Understanding the real difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' is a significant step toward speaking English more naturally. By remembering the simple rules of distance (near vs. far) and number (singular vs. plural), you can use these essential pointing words with confidence. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use 'that' to talk about something someone just said?
A: Yes, absolutely! 'That' is commonly used to refer to an idea, statement, or action that was just mentioned. For example, if a friend says, "I passed my exam!" you can reply, "That's great news!"
Q: What is the plural of 'this'?
A: The plural of 'this' is 'these.' You use 'this' for one item that is near you (e.g., 'this book') and 'these' for multiple items that are near you (e.g., 'these books').
Q: What is the plural of 'that'?
A: The plural of 'that' is 'those.' 'That' is for one item that is far from you (e.g., 'that car'), while 'those' is for multiple items that are far from you (e.g., 'those cars').
Q: Is 'this' always about things I can touch?
A: No, 'this' isn't only for physical objects you can touch. It can also refer to the current time period ('this month'), a current situation ('this is a tricky problem'), or introducing someone ('this is Maria').
Q: When are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' called demonstrative adjectives?
A: They are called demonstrative adjectives when they come before a noun to modify it, like in 'this apple' or 'those people'. They are called demonstrative pronouns when they stand alone and replace a noun, as in 'This is my apple' or 'Those are the people I met.'