This or That? The Simple Difference Between 'This', 'That', 'These', and 'Those'

The simple difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' is about two key ideas: distance (is it near or far?) and number (is it singular or plural?). We use 'this' and 'these' for things that are close to us, and 'that' and 'those' for things that are farther away.

Feeling confused? Don't worry! This is a very common challenge for beginner English learners. Understanding the difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' is a fundamental step toward speaking English more clearly and naturally. In this guide, we'll break it down with simple rules and clear examples to make you a confident user of these important words.

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

These four words are called demonstratives. Their job is to point to a specific person, place, or thing. To choose the right one, you only need to ask yourself two questions:

Is it near me or far from me? (Proximity)
Is it one thing (singular) or more than one thing (plural)? (Number)

Let's organize this into a simple chart:

This simple grid is your key. 'This' is for one thing, nearby. 'These' is for multiple things, nearby. 'That' is for one thing, far away. And 'those' is for multiple things, far away.

How Do I Use 'This' and 'These' for Things Nearby?

When we talk about objects, people, or ideas that are physically or metaphorically close to us, we use 'this' and 'these'. Think of it as anything you can touch or that is in your immediate space.

Using 'This' (Singular, Near)

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

Example (Object): "I am reading this book." (You are holding the book or it's right in front of you.)
Example (Place): "This room is very warm." (You are currently in the room.)
Example (Introducing someone): "Maria, this is my brother, Tom." (Tom is standing next to you.)

Using 'These' (Plural, Near)

Use 'these' to point to two or more items, people, or ideas that are close to you.

Example (Objects): "Whose keys are these on the table?" (The keys are on the table next to you.)
Example (People): "These are my children." (Your children are with you.)
Example (Ideas): "Please review these points in the report." (Pointing to points in a document you are looking at together.)

When Should I Use 'That' and 'Those' for Things Far Away?

When you need to refer to things not in your immediate space, you switch to 'that' and 'those'. The distance can be physical (across the room, down the street) or even in time (something that happened in the past).

Using 'That' (Singular, Far)

Use 'that' to point to a single item, person, or idea that is at a distance.

Example (Object): "Can you see that car down the street?" (The car is far from you.)
Example (Person): "Who is that man standing by the door?" (The man is across the room.)
Example (Time): "I loved living in London. That was a great time in my life." (Referring to a time in the past.)

Using 'Those' (Plural, Far)

Use 'those' to point to two or more items, people, or ideas that are at a distance.

Example (Objects): "I'd like to buy some of those apples." (Pointing to apples on the other side of the store.)
Example (People): "Who are those people waiting in line?" (The people are far away from you.)
Example (Comparison): "I prefer these shoes to those ones in the window." (Comparing shoes you have with shoes in a display.)

A Final Tip: Pronouns vs. Adjectives

One last helpful point is that these words can be used in two slightly different ways, but the rules of near/far and singular/plural always apply.

As a Demonstrative Pronoun: It replaces the noun.
"This is my coffee."
"Can you pass me that?"
As a Demonstrative Adjective: It comes before and describes the noun.
"This coffee is mine."
"Can you pass me that remote?"

Mastering the simple difference between 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' just takes a little practice. Remember the two key questions about distance and number, and you'll be using them perfectly in your conversations in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use 'this' to introduce a person on the phone? Yes, absolutely. It's very common and polite. For example, if you call a friend, you can say, "Hi Jane, this is Mark," to identify yourself.

What is the opposite of 'these'? In terms of distance, the direct opposite of 'these' (plural, near) is 'those' (plural, far). In terms of number, the opposite is 'this' (singular, near).

How do you use 'this' and 'that' to talk about time? We generally use 'this' for current or near-future time periods (e.g., "I am very busy this week"). We use 'that' to refer to a more distant time, usually in the past (e.g., "Do you remember that summer we went camping?").

Is it correct to say 'this people' or 'these people'? Because the word 'people' is plural, you must always use the plural demonstrative. The correct phrase is "these people" (if they are near) or "those people" (if they are far away).

Can 'that' ever be used for something close? Yes, sometimes it is used for emotional distance. If you are annoyed or want to distance yourself from something, you might use 'that' even if it's close. For example, if a cat jumps on your keyboard, you might say, "Get that cat off my laptop!"