This or That? The Easiest Way to Understand the Difference Between 'This,' 'That,' 'These,' and 'Those'

The easiest way to understand the difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' is to remember two simple factors: distance (is it near or far?) and number (is it singular or plural?). 'This' and 'these' refer to things that are near the speaker, while 'that' and 'those' refer to things that are farther away. Getting this right is a simple step to making your English sound more natural and precise.

These four words are called demonstratives. They help us point to specific people or things. While they might seem confusing at first, they follow a very clear and logical pattern. In this guide, we'll break down the rules with simple examples, making it easy for you to master these essential English words.

The Two Simple Rules: A Quick Grammar Chart

At its core, the choice between these words comes down to answering two questions:

Where is it? (Near me or far from me?)
How many are there? (One or more than one?)

Here’s a simple chart that shows you exactly which word to use:

Let's explore how this chart works in real situations.

When Do You Use 'This' and 'These'? (For Things Nearby)

When you're talking about something you can touch or that is very close to you, you'll use 'this' or 'these.' Think of them as the "here" words.

How to use 'this' (Singular & Near)

Use 'this' to point to a single person, thing, or idea that is close to you.

As a pronoun (replaces a noun):
"This is my favorite book." (while holding the book)
"Is this your pen?"

As a determiner (comes before a noun):
"I love this song." (the song playing right now)
"This coffee tastes amazing."

How to use 'these' (Plural & Near)

Use 'these' to point to two or more people, things, or ideas that are close to you. 'These' is the plural form of 'this.'

As a pronoun:
"These are my children."
"Could you pass me these?"

As a determiner:
"These shoes are very comfortable."
"I need to file these documents."

What's the Difference Between 'This,' 'That,' 'These,' and 'Those' for Things Far Away?

When you're talking about something that is not close to you—across the room, down the street, or just generally 'over there'—you'll use 'that' or 'those.'

When should you use 'that'? (Singular & Far)

Use 'that' to point to a single person, thing, or idea that is far from you.

As a pronoun:
"What is that?" (pointing to something in the distance)
"That is the building where I work."

As a determiner:
"I'd like to buy that painting on the wall."
"Do you see that bird in the tree?"

When should you use 'those'? (Plural & Far)

Use 'those' to point to two or more people, things, or ideas that are far from you. 'Those' is the plural form of 'that.'

As a pronoun:
"Who are those?"
"Those look delicious!" (referring to cakes in a shop window)

As a determiner:
"I remember those days we spent in Paris."
"Those mountains in the distance are the Alps."

Going Beyond Physical Distance: Time and Ideas

These demonstrative words aren't just for physical space. We also use them to talk about time and abstract ideas in conversation.

Time: The 'near' and 'far' rule still applies. 'This' refers to a current or upcoming time period, while 'that' refers to a past or more distant one.
"I'm having a great time this week."
"2010? Oh, that was a great year."

Ideas & Conversation: We use 'this' to introduce something we are about to say and 'that' to refer to something someone else just said.
"I don't know how to say this, but I think you're wrong."
(Someone says, "The project is delayed.") You reply: "That's not good news."

By remembering the core rules of distance and number, understanding the difference between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' becomes incredibly simple. Practice pointing to objects around you—near and far, singular and plural—and you'll be using them like a native speaker in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the plural of 'this' and 'that'? The plural of 'this' is 'these.' Both are used for things that are near the speaker. The plural of 'that' is 'those.' Both are used for things that are far from the speaker.

Can 'that' be used to refer to something someone just said? Yes, absolutely. Using 'that' is a very common and natural way to respond to or comment on a statement someone has just made. For example: if a friend says, "I just passed my exam!" you can respond, "That's fantastic news!"

Are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' pronouns or adjectives? They can be both! When they take the place of a noun, they are called demonstrative pronouns (e.g., "This is my car"). When they come before a noun to describe it, they function as demonstrative determiners or demonstrative adjectives (e.g., "This car is mine").

What are some common mistakes with 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'? A common mistake is mixing up the singular and plural forms. For example, saying "*this shoes*" instead of "these shoes," or "*those person*" instead of "that person." Always check if the noun you are referring to is singular or plural.