A1 Pronouns 4 min read Facile

Ce, Cette, Ces (This, That, These, Those): Les Démonstratifs

Les démonstratifs t'aident à montrer des objets en anglais. C'est simple: près ou loin, un ou plusieurs.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'this' and 'these' for things close to you, and 'that' and 'those' for things further away.

  • Use 'this' for one thing nearby: 'This apple is sweet.'
  • Use 'that' for one thing far away: 'That car is fast.'
  • Use 'these' (near) and 'those' (far) for more than one item: 'Those stars are bright.'
☝️ (Near/1) This | ☝️☝️ (Near/2+) These | 👉 (Far/1) That | 👉👉 (Far/2+) Those

Overview

Tu as déjà essayé de commander une pâtisserie spécifique dans la vitrine d'une boulangerie en oubliant son nom ? Tu as probablement juste pointé du doigt et dit : Je veux celle-là. On fait ça tous les jours.
Pointer du doigt est l'astuce humaine ultime pour communiquer. En anglais, on utilise quatre mots spéciaux appelés démonstratifs pour pointer à notre place. Ces mots sont this, that, these et those.
Ce sont tes meilleurs amis quand tu fais du shopping en ligne, quand tu envoies des SMS à des potes à propos d'un TikTok bizarre, ou quand tu présentes ton colocataire à tes parents. Sans eux, tu passerais trop de temps à décrire les choses. Imagine dire
Le téléphone qui est actuellement dans ma main sonne
au lieu de juste
This phone is ringing.
Tu aurais l'air d'un robot tout droit sorti d'un film de science-fiction des années 70.
Les démonstratifs nous disent deux choses : où se trouve quelque chose et combien il y en a. Vois-les comme un GPS pour tes phrases. Ils suivent la distance entre toi (l'orateur) et l'objet.
Si tu peux le toucher, c'est généralement this. Si tu dois traverser la pièce pour l'attraper, c'est probablement that. Ils gèrent aussi les maths.
L'anglais est très pointilleux sur le singulier et le pluriel. Tu ne peux pas utiliser le même mot pour une pizza que celui que tu utilises pour cinq pizzas. C'est un système simple, mais c'est la base pour être compris dans le monde réel.
Que tu sois à un entretien d'embauche ou juste en train de traîner sur Discord, ces quatre mots font le gros du travail.

How This Grammar Works

La logique est une simple grille 2x2. Tu dois te poser deux questions. Question un : Est-ce près de moi ou loin ? Question deux : Est-ce une seule chose ou plus d'une ?
  • Physical Distance : C'est l'utilisation la plus courante. Si tu tiens ton gobelet Starbucks, c'est this coffee. Si ton ami tient son gobelet de l'autre côté de la table, c'est that coffee.
  • Time Distance : On les utilise aussi pour le temps ! Les choses qui se passent maintenant ou très bientôt utilisent this.
    This week is crazy!
    (Cette semaine est dingue !). Les choses qui se sont passées dans le passé utilisent that.
    That party last Saturday was legendary.
    (Cette fête samedi dernier était légendaire).
  • Emotional Distance : Parfois, on utilise that pour mettre de la distance avec quelque chose qu'on n'aime pas. "I don't like that guy's vibe." (Je n'aime pas l'ambiance de ce type). Il semble plus éloigné que
    this guy
    , qui pourrait être debout juste à côté de toi.
Et si on faisait une blague ? Pourquoi l'étudiant a-t-il pointé l'assiette vide ? Parce qu'il voulait that sandwich invisible ! Ok, je vais m'en tenir à la grammaire.

Formation Pattern

1
Apprendre les formes, c'est comme apprendre une danse simple. Il n'y a que quatre mouvements à retenir.
2
Singular + Near : Utilise this. (Exemple : this laptop on my desk).
3
Singular + Far : Utilise that. (Exemple : that plane in the sky).
4
Plural + Near : Utilise these. (Exemple : these notifications on my screen).
5
Plural + Far : Utilise those. (Exemple : those mountains in the distance).
6
Conjugation Table (Agreement)
7
Number | Near | Far
8
--- | --- | ---
9
Singular | this | that
10
Plural | these | those
11
Contrairement à des langues comme le français ou l'espagnol, les démonstratifs anglais ne se soucient pas du genre. Tu n'as pas besoin de t'inquiéter de savoir si une table est mâle ou femelle. Tu t'intéresses seulement à savoir s'il y a une table ou tout un showroom IKEA de tables.

When To Use It

Tu vas les utiliser partout. Regardons quelques scénarios modernes.
  • On the Phone : Quand tu réponds à un appel d'un numéro inconnu, tu dis :
    Hello, this is [Ton Nom].
    Pour demander qui appelle, tu dis :
    Who is that?
  • Social Media : Si tu partages un mème dans une discussion de groupe, tu pourrais écrire :
    This is so me!
    (C'est tellement moi !).
  • Online Shopping : Tu navigues sur Amazon ? Tu pourrais dire à ton coloc : "I really want those headphones, but they're so expensive." (Je veux vraiment ce casque, mais il est si cher).
  • Introducing People : Quand tu es à une fête, tu pointes ton ami et tu dis :
    This is Sarah.
    Tu ne dis pas She is Sarah quand tu la présentes pour la première fois dans un espace physique.
  • Ordering Food : À un food truck ? Pointe le menu et dis : "I'll have this taco and that burrito, please."
Conseil de pro : Si tu voyages et que tu ne connais pas le mot pour pieuvre sur un marché local, pointe simplement du doigt et dis
That, please.
Ça sauve des vies (et la faim).

Common Mistakes

Même si c'est de la grammaire niveau A1, les gens trébuchent tout le temps.
  1. 1Mixing Singular and Plural : C'est l'erreur n°1. Les gens disent
    this shoes
    au lieu de
    these shoes.
    Rappelle-toi : this est un solitaire (singulier). these aime la foule (pluriel).
  2. 2The It Trap : Utiliser it quand tu devrais utiliser this. Si tu présentes un concept ou commences une conversation, commence par this.
    This is a great idea!
    est mieux que
    It is a great idea!
    quand tu le présentes pour la première fois.
  3. 3Pronunciation : this ('i' court comme dans 'fish') et these ('e' long comme dans 'cheese'). Si tu les prononces mal, les gens pourraient être confus sur le nombre d'articles dont tu parles.
  4. 4Overusing That : N'utilise pas that pour des choses que tu tiens actuellement. On dirait que tu as peur de l'objet.
    What is that?
    (en pointant ta propre main) donne l'impression que tu as trouvé un insecte. Utilise
    What is this?
    .

Contrast With Similar Patterns

En quoi sont-ils différents d'autres mots de pointage comme it, here et there ?

This/That vs. It : this et that sont plus spécifiques. Ils pointent vers une chose précise dans l'espace. it est plus général et utilisé une fois qu'on sait déjà de quoi on parle.
Look at this dog! It is so cute.
(Utilise this pour pointer, puis it pour continuer à parler).
This/That vs. Here/There : here et there sont des adverbes de lieu. Ils ne remplacent pas le nom ; ils décrivent l'emplacement.
My phone is here.
(Emplacement)
This is my phone.
(Identification)
These vs. Those in stories : Quand on raconte une histoire, these donne l'impression que les événements se passent maintenant. those fait penser au bon vieux temps.

Quick FAQ

Q : Est-ce que je peux utiliser this pour des personnes ?

R: Oui ! Mais surtout pour les présentations ou pour identifier quelqu'un sur une photo.

This is my brother.

Q : Est-ce que je dois toujours utiliser un nom après eux ?

R: Non. Ils peuvent être autonomes comme pronoms.

I like this.
ou ils peuvent être adjectifs :
I like this song.

Q : Est-ce impoli de pointer du doigt ?

R: Dans certaines cultures, oui ! Mais utiliser les mots this et that est parfaitement poli. Utilise peut-être toute ta main au lieu d'un seul doigt si tu es dans un restaurant chic.

Memory Trick

Pense aux lettres !

- THIS a un I. Il n'y a qu'1 I. Donc this est pour 1 chose.

- THESE a beaucoup de E. C'est pour les choses Extra (pluriel).

- THAT et THOSE ? Si ça commence par T-H et que c'est long, c'est loin. (Ok, celle-là est un peu tirée par les cheveux, mais hé, ça pourrait marcher pour toi !)

Real Conversations

Scénario 1 : Dans un magasin de vêtements

C

Client

Excusez-moi, combien coûtent these jeans ?
V

Vendeur

Those ones sur le portant ? Ils sont à 50 $.
C

Client

Non, this pair dans ma main.
V

Vendeur

Ah ! Those sont en solde à 30 $.

Scénario 2 : Regarder Netflix

S

Sam

Tu as vu this show ?
A

Alex

Lequel ? That documentaire sur les tigres ?
S

Sam

Non, this nouvelle télé-réalité sur l'écran d'accueil.

Progressive Practice

1

Regarde autour de ta chambre maintenant. Touche 5 choses et dis

This is my...

2

Regarde par la fenêtre. Pointe 3 choses au loin et dis

That is a...

3

Ouvre ton application photos. Trouve une photo de groupe. Pointe et dis

These are my friends.

4

Imagine que tu es dans un magasin de technologie. Demande le prix d'un ordinateur portable à l'autre bout de la pièce :

How much is that?

5

Corrige cette phrase :

I love this movies.
(Attends, tu l'as vu ? Ça devrait être these movies !)

The Demonstrative Grid

Distance Singular (1) Plural (2+)
Near (Close)
This
These
Far (Distant)
That
Those

Common Contractions

Full Form Contraction Usage Note
That is
That's
Very common in speech
This is
None
Rarely contracted in writing
These are
None
Never contracted
Those are
None
Never contracted

Meanings

Words used to point to specific people or things in relation to the speaker in space or time.

1

Physical Distance

Pointing to objects based on their physical proximity to the speaker.

“This chair is comfortable.”

“That mountain is very high.”

2

Time Reference

Referring to events happening now or in the past/future.

“This week is very busy.”

“That was a great party last night.”

3

Introduction/Identification

Identifying people or things, often on the phone or when introducing someone.

“Hi, this is Sarah speaking.”

“Mom, this is my friend, Alex.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Ce, Cette, Ces (This, That, These, Those): Les Démonstratifs
Démonstratif Quantité Distance Exemple
this
Singulier
Proche
This is my phone.
that
Singulier
Loin
That is a bird.
these
Pluriel
Proche
These are my keys.
those
Pluriel
Loin
Those are stars.
this (adjectif)
Singulier
Proche
I like this song.
those (adjectif)
Pluriel
Loin
Look at those trees.

Spectre de formalité

Formel
Could you tell me what this item is?

Could you tell me what this item is? (Shopping or curiosity)

Neutre
What is this?

What is this? (Shopping or curiosity)

Informel
What's this?

What's this? (Shopping or curiosity)

Argot
What's this thingy?

What's this thingy? (Shopping or curiosity)

Le monde des démonstratifs

Démonstratifs

Près de toi

  • this singulier
  • these pluriel

Loin de toi

  • that singulier
  • those pluriel

Comparaison : Singulier vs. Pluriel

Singulier (1)
this proche
that loin
Pluriel (2+)
these proche
those loin

Quel mot devrais-je user ?

1

Est-ce une seule chose ?

YES
Va à 'Distance'
NO
Va à 'Distance (Pluriel)'
2

Est-ce proche de toi ?

YES
Use THIS
NO
Use THAT
3

Est-ce proche (pluriel) ?

YES
Use THESE
NO ↓

Scénarios d'usage modernes

📱

Au téléphone

  • This is Mark speaking.
  • Who is that?

Dans un café

  • I'll have this muffin.
  • That latte looks good.
📸

Réseaux sociaux

  • Look at these comments!
  • Those filters are weird.

Exemples par niveau

1

This is my cat.

This is my cat.

2

That is a big tree.

That is a big tree.

3

These are my friends.

These are my friends.

4

Are those your keys?

Are those your keys?

1

This coffee is very hot.

This coffee is very hot.

2

I don't like that movie.

I don't like that movie.

3

These sandwiches are delicious.

These sandwiches are delicious.

4

Who are those people over there?

Who are those people over there?

1

This is exactly what I was talking about.

This is exactly what I was talking about.

2

That was a difficult time for everyone.

That was a difficult time for everyone.

3

These rules are quite confusing.

These rules are quite confusing.

4

Those who finish early can leave.

Those who finish early can leave.

1

This new policy will affect all employees.

This new policy will affect all employees.

2

That is a very interesting point you've raised.

That is a very interesting point you've raised.

3

These findings suggest a need for further research.

These findings suggest a need for further research.

4

Those arguments are simply not valid in this context.

Those arguments are simply not valid in this context.

1

This brings us to the final conclusion of the report.

This brings us to the final conclusion of the report.

2

That the economy is failing is a common misconception.

That the economy is failing is a common misconception.

3

These are not merely suggestions; they are requirements.

These are not merely suggestions; they are requirements.

4

Those present at the meeting agreed to the terms.

Those present at the meeting agreed to the terms.

1

This, then, is the crux of the matter.

This, then, is the crux of the matter.

2

I simply cannot stand that constant whistling of his.

I simply cannot stand that constant whistling of his.

3

These are but a few of the challenges we face.

These are but a few of the challenges we face.

4

Those were the days of wine and roses.

Those were the days of wine and roses.

Facile à confondre

This, That, These, Those: Pointing Words vs This vs. It

Learners use 'it' to point to things for the first time.

This, That, These, Those: Pointing Words vs That vs. Which

In relative clauses, learners aren't sure which one to use.

This, That, These, Those: Pointing Words vs Those vs. They

Using 'they' to point to specific objects.

Erreurs courantes

This books are good.

These books are good.

You must use 'these' for plural nouns.

That is my keys.

Those are my keys.

Keys are plural, so use 'those' and 'are'.

Look at this!

Look at that!

If you are pointing to something far away, use 'that'.

I like these cake.

I like this cake.

Cake is singular here, so use 'this'.

In that days, life was hard.

In those days, life was hard.

Days is plural, so 'those' is required.

Who is that?

Who is this?

When introducing someone standing right next to you, use 'this'.

This is a good news.

This is good news.

News is uncountable, so 'a' is not used, but 'this' is correct.

That people are waiting.

Those people are waiting.

People is a plural noun.

This was a great party last week.

That was a great party last week.

Use 'that' for past events.

Those present at the meeting was...

Those present at the meeting were...

Subject-verb agreement with the plural 'those'.

Structures de phrases

Is this ___?

I like those ___.

This is my friend, ___.

That was a ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Shopping at a Mall constant

How much is this shirt?

Ordering at a Bakery very common

I'll take two of those croissants, please.

Phone Conversations very common

Hi, this is Mark. Is that Sarah?

Job Interview common

This experience helped me develop leadership skills.

Social Media very common

Check out this video! That was so funny.

Giving Directions common

Go past that building and turn left.

🎯

La règle du téléphone

Quand tu parles au téléphone, uses toujours « this » pour toi (This is John) et « that » pour la personne au bout du fil (
Is that you, Mary?
).
⚠️

N'oublie pas le 'S'

Si tu uses « these » ou « those », le nom doit être au pluriel (par exemple, these appleS).
💬

L'étiquette des présentations

En anglais, on dit « This is my friend » même si la personne est plus âgée ou dans un cadre formel. C'est la façon polie de présenter quelqu'un.

Smart Tips

If you are touching the item, use 'this'. If the shopkeeper has to get it for you, use 'that'.

I want that shirt (holding the shirt). I want this shirt (holding the shirt).

Always use 'these are' even if you are introducing them one by one as a group.

This is my parents. These are my parents.

Use 'that' to show you were listening to their past experience.

This was a crazy story! That was a crazy story!

Use 'this thing' or 'that thing' while pointing. It's a perfect survival strategy!

(Silence because you forgot the word 'stapler') Can I use this thing?

Prononciation

/ðɪs/, /ðæt/, /ðiːz/, /ðəʊz/

The 'TH' sound

All four words start with the voiced 'th' sound /ð/. Your tongue should be between your teeth.

This /ðɪs/ vs These /ðiːz/

This vs. These Vowels

'This' has a short /ɪ/ (like 'sit'). 'These' has a long /iː/ (like 'see'). This is the most important distinction.

Emphasis on the demonstrative

I want THIS one, not THAT one.

Stressing the word shows a strong contrast between choices.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

THIS and THESE have an 'I' or 'E' like 'NEAR'. THAT and THOSE have an 'A' or 'O' like 'AFAR'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a circle around your feet. Anything inside the circle is 'This/These'. Anything outside the circle, where you have to stretch your arm to point, is 'That/Those'.

Rhyme

This and These are close to me, That and Those are far, you see!

Story

You are at a market. You hold an apple (This). You point to a mountain (That). You hold your keys (These). You point to the stars (Those).

Word Web

thisthatthesethoseheretherenearfar

Défi

Look around your room. Point to 3 things near you using 'This/These' and 3 things far away using 'That/Those'. Say them out loud!

Notes culturelles

When answering the phone, we say 'This is [Name].' We never say 'I am [Name]' or 'That is [Name]'.

In the UK, when asking who is on the other end of the phone, people often say 'Who is that?' whereas Americans might say 'Who is this?'

Pointing with a finger while saying 'that' can be considered rude in some cultures. Using the word alone is polite.

Demonstratives come from Old English 'þis' (this) and 'þæt' (that).

Amorces de conversation

What is this in English?

Do you like these shoes I'm wearing?

Is that your car parked outside?

What do you think of this weather we're having?

Sujets d'écriture

Look at your desk. Write 5 sentences about the things you see using 'This' and 'These'.
Describe your dream house. Use 'that' and 'those' to describe things in the distance (e.g., the garden, the mountains).
Compare your life now with your life 5 years ago. Use 'these days' and 'those days'.
Write a short story about a mysterious object you found. Use 'this' to create a sense of mystery.

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Choisis le mot qui décrit correctement plusieurs choses éloignées. Choix multiple

___ clouds look like sheep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Those
Les nuages sont pluriels et loin dans le ciel, donc on use « those ».
Complète la phrase pour quelque chose que tu tiens.

I can't believe I found ___ book in the trash!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: this
Si tu l'as trouvé et que tu le tiens ou le regardes de près, use « this » pour un objet singulier.
Corrige l'erreur dans la phrase. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

That shoes are very dirty.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Those shoes are very dirty.
« Shoes » est pluriel. « That » est singulier. Il faut « those » (loin) ou « these » (proche). « Those » est la meilleure correction ici.

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Choix multiple

___ is my favorite book in my hand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This
The book is singular and 'in my hand' (near).
Fill in the blank with 'this', 'that', 'these', or 'those'.

Look at ___ stars in the sky!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: those
Stars are plural and far away in the sky.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

These is my brother, Tom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: These
Brother is singular, so it should be 'This'.
Match the demonstrative with the correct noun. Match Pairs

1. This 2. These 3. That 4. Those

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Apple, 2-Apples, 3-Cloud, 4-Clouds
This/That are singular; These/Those are plural.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

are / keys / those / your / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Are those your keys?
In questions, the verb 'are' comes before the subject 'those'.
Select the correct demonstrative for the time reference. Choix multiple

___ was a great movie we saw last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That
Use 'that' for events in the past.
Complete the phone introduction.

Hello, ___ is Sarah. Is ___ John?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: this / that
Use 'this' for yourself and 'that' for the other person on the phone.
Identify the correct plural form. Choix multiple

I want to buy ___ shoes over there.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: those
Shoes are plural and 'over there' indicates distance.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Texte trous

___ (near) are my favorite cookies.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: These
Sentence Reorder

is / laptop / mine / that

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That laptop is mine.
Traduction

Translate: 'Dies sind meine Eltern.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: These are my parents.
Choix multiple

Identifie la phrase correcte pour une personne qui appelle au téléphone :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Who is that?
Match Pairs

Associe le démonstratif à sa catégorie :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: this - Near/Singular
Error Correction

Corrige : 'I want those apple on the table.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I want that apple on the table.
Texte trous

Look at ___ bird way up in the tree!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
Choix multiple

Comment présentes-tu ton ami Mark ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is Mark.
Traduction

Translate: 'Jene Häuser sind alt.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Those houses are old.
Sentence Reorder

expensive / are / those / glasses

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Those glasses are expensive.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, but mainly for introductions like `This is my friend` or on the phone. In other cases, use `he` or `she`.

We use `this` for the present or future (`this week`) and `that` for the past (`that year`).

English requires subject-verb agreement. `This` is singular, so it needs `is`. `These` is plural, so it needs `are`.

It is always `that's` with an apostrophe, which is short for `that is`.

Yes, `these ones` and `those ones` are very common in informal English to emphasize specific items.

Make sure the 'e' sound is long like in 'bee' and the 's' sounds like a 'z'.

Usually no. However, you might use it if you are referring to something the other person is holding.

No. In English, `this`, `that`, `these`, and `those` are the same for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

este / ese / aquel

English lacks the 'middle' distance word (ese).

French partial

ce / cette / ces

English demonstratives are gender-neutral.

German high

dieser / jener

English forms are much simpler and don't change for case.

Japanese moderate

kore / sore / are

Japanese distinguishes between 'near you' and 'far from us'.

Arabic moderate

hadha / dhalika

English has no 'dual' form for exactly two things.

Chinese high

zhè / nà

English has unique plural words (these/those) rather than adding a suffix.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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