The main difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' relates to 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' refer to things farther away. 'This' and 'that' are for single items, while 'these' and 'those' are for multiple items.
Mastering these four little words—known as demonstratives—is a huge step toward sounding more natural in English. They might seem simple, but using them correctly makes your speech and writing much clearer. In this guide, we’ll break down the complete difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' with simple rules and plenty of examples to help you feel confident.
What's the Core Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'?
The easiest way to understand these words is to think about two simple questions:
- How many? (Is it one thing, or more than one?)
- How far? (Is it close to me, or far away?)
Let’s map it out. These words, which can be demonstrative pronouns or demonstrative adjectives, follow a clear pattern:
- THIS
- Number: Singular (one)
- Distance: Near (close to the speaker)
- THAT
- Number: Singular (one)
- Distance: Far (not close to the speaker)
- THESE
- Number: Plural (two or more)
- Distance: Near (close to the speaker)
- THOSE
- Number: Plural (two or more)
- Distance: Far (not close to the speaker)
When Should I Use 'This' and 'These'?
'This' and 'these' are your words for things that are right here, within your reach or in your immediate vicinity. Think of them as pointing to something close by.
H3: Using 'This' (Singular, Near)
Use 'this' when you are talking about one single person, place, or thing that is close to you.
- As a pronoun (replaces the noun):
- "This is my favorite book." (while holding it)
- "I like this a lot!"
- As an adjective (describes the noun):
- "This car needs to be washed." (pointing to the car in front of you)
- "Do you want to eat at this restaurant?"
We also use 'this' to introduce people ("This is my colleague, Mark.") or to refer to the current time period ("I've been so busy this week.").
H3: Using 'These' (Plural, Near)
Use 'these' when you are talking about two or more things that are close to you.
- As a pronoun:
- "These are my keys."
- "Are these yours?"
- As an adjective:
- "These shoes feel very comfortable." (referring to the shoes you are wearing)
- "I need to finish these reports before lunch."
When Is It Correct to Use 'That' and 'Those'?
'That' and 'those' are used for things that are 'over there'—at a distance from you, whether physically or sometimes, metaphorically in time.
H3: Using 'That' (Singular, Far)
Use 'that' when you are talking about a single item that is not near you.
- As a pronoun:
- "What is that?" (pointing to something across the room)
- "That looks delicious!" (referring to food on someone else's plate)
- As an adjective:
- "Can you see that bird in the tree?"
- "I'd like to buy that painting on the wall."
'That' is also commonly used to refer to something someone has just said ("That's a great idea!") or a past event ("That was a fun vacation.").
H3: Using 'Those' (Plural, Far)
Use 'those' when talking about multiple items that are not close to you.
- As a pronoun:
- "Those are beautiful mountains."
- "Who are those?" (referring to a group of people in the distance)
- As an adjective:
- "Could you please pass me those books on the top shelf?"
- "I remember those days clearly."
Mastering the Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'
Understanding the contrast between near/far and singular/plural is the key. Once you internalize the simple grid we outlined above, choosing the right word becomes automatic. The difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' is a fundamental part of English grammar that, once mastered, will significantly improve your fluency. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be using them like a native speaker!
Frequently Asked Questions About This, That, These, and Those
Q1: Can I use 'this' to introduce someone on the phone? Yes, it's very common. When you start a phone call, you can say, "Hello, this is Maria," to introduce yourself.
Q2: What is the opposite of 'these cookies here'? The opposite would be "those cookies there." 'These' refers to plural items close to you, while 'those' refers to plural items farther away.
Q3: Is it 'this people' or 'these people'? It is always "these people." The word 'people' is a plural noun, so you must use the plural demonstrative 'these' (for people nearby) or 'those' (for people farther away).
Q4: How do you use 'that' to refer to an idea? You can use 'that' to refer to something someone just said or an idea that was just mentioned. For example, if a friend says, "We should go to the beach," you can reply, "That's a fantastic idea!"
Q5: Can 'this' and 'that' be used to talk about time? Absolutely. 'This' usually refers to a current or upcoming time period (e.g., this week, this month). 'That' often refers to a specific time in the past (e.g., "Do you remember that summer we went camping?").