A0 · Zero Point Chapter 3

Where Things Are

5 Total Rules
60 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of locating and identifying objects in your daily life.

  • Identify objects near and far using demonstratives.
  • Ask simple questions to learn the names of items.
  • Describe the precise location of objects using prepositions.
Point, ask, and locate your world with confidence.

What You'll Learn

Welcome! This chapter will help you talk about everything around you. We'll learn to point out things using 'this' and 'that,' and show exactly where they are with 'in,' 'on,' and 'at.' Get ready to describe your world in simple English!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'this' and 'that' to point out objects in your immediate surroundings.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Learning to talk about the things around you is one of the most exciting first steps in English! This guide will help you begin to describe your everyday world, whether you're pointing out a cup, asking about a book, or telling someone where your keys are. Mastering these simple building blocks allows you to communicate basic needs and observations, making your first interactions in English much clearer and more confident. It’s all about understanding where things are and how to refer to them directly. This fundamental knowledge is key for any absolute beginner aiming to learn English A0 grammar and will be useful in countless daily situations, from finding items to understanding directions. You’ll quickly be able to express yourself more effectively, turning simple observations into basic English sentences. This chapter lays the foundation for all future descriptive language.

How This Grammar Works

Let's explore how we point to and describe objects in English. First, when you want to show someone an object, you use 'this' for one thing that is close to you, and 'these' for many things that are close to you. If the object is far away, you use 'that' for one thing and 'those' for many things. For example, if a pen is in your hand, you say, "This is a pen." If a book is across the room, you say, "That is a book."
When you want to ask about something, you often start with "What is this?" for one close object, or "What are these?" for many close objects. Similarly, you'd ask "What is that?" or "What are those?" for things far away. Notice how we use 'is' for one thing (singular) and 'are' for many things (plural). We also use 'here' to talk about a location close to you, and 'there' for a location far from you. For instance, "My bag is here" or "The car is there."
To show ownership, we use 'my' for things belonging to you and 'your' for things belonging to the person you are talking to. These words must always be followed by a noun. For example, "My book is red" or "Your phone is new."
Finally, to specify where things are, we use prepositions:
* 'In': for something inside an enclosed space (e.g., "in the box," "in the room").
* 'On': for something resting on a surface (e.g., "on the table," "on the wall").
* 'At': for a specific point or general location (e.g., "at the door," "at home," "at the park"). Understanding these basic rules will unlock your ability to describe the world around you in simple English.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Mixing up 'is' and 'are' with singular/plural:
* ✗ These is my keys.
* ✓ These are my keys. (Use 'are' for plural 'these'.)
* ✗ Those are my book.
* ✓ That is my book. (Use 'is' for singular 'that'.)
  1. 1Incorrect preposition for location:
* ✗ The apple is on the box. (If it's *inside* the box)
* ✓ The apple is in the box.
* ✗ My phone is in the table. (If it's *on top of* the table)
* ✓ My phone is on the table.
  1. 1Using 'my' or 'your' without a noun:
* ✗ That is my. (What is yours?)
* ✓ That is my book.
* ✗ Where is your? (Your what?)
* ✓ Where is your jacket?

Real Conversations

Conversation 1: Pointing and Asking

A

A

What is this? (A points to a pen on the table, close to A)
B

B

This is a pen.
A

A

And what is that? (A points to a bag across the room)
B

B

That is my bag.

Conversation 2: Location and Possession

A

A

Excuse me, where is my phone?
B

B

Is it on the chair?
A

A

No, it’s not on the chair. Oh, it’s in my pocket! Thank you.

Conversation 3: Close and Far

A

A

Look! This is a nice picture. (Holding the picture)
B

B

Yes, it is! And that is a big tree there. (Pointing out the window)

Quick FAQ

Q: When do I use 'this' versus 'that' in English?

Use 'this' for a single object close to you (like in your hand). Use 'that' for a single object that is farther away from you (like across the room).

Q: What's the main difference between 'in', 'on', and 'at' for beginners?

'In' means something is inside a space (like in a box). 'On' means something is on a surface (like on a table). 'At' means a specific point or general location (like at home or at the bus stop).

Q: Can I say "My is good" instead of "My life is good"?

No, 'my' always needs a noun right after it. You must say "My life is good" or "My car is fast." It tells you *whose* noun it is.

Q: How do I ask about a location in English?

You can ask "Where is it?" for a single item, or "Where are they?" for multiple items. Then you can use 'here' or 'there' in your answer, or a preposition like 'in', 'on', or 'at'.

Cultural Context

These simple grammar patterns are the backbone of everyday conversation in English. Native speakers use 'this', 'that', 'in', 'on', and 'at' constantly and naturally. They are not formal or informal; they are simply how you describe the basic existence and location of objects. Mastering them will make your English sound more natural and your meaning clearer to native speakers from the very beginning.

Key Examples (8)

1

Is **this** your coffee?

This & That: Pointing Things Out
2

**That** building is very tall.

This & That: Pointing Things Out
3

What is this? It's a book.

What Is This? — Asking About Things
4

What's that? It's a bird!

What Is This? — Asking About Things
5

This is my pen.

My & Your — Simple Possessives
6

Is that your bag?

My & Your — Simple Possessives
7

My phone is `in` my bag.

In, On, At: Where Things Are
8

The book is `on` the table.

In, On, At: Where Things Are

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The Touch Test

If you can reach out and touch it, use 'this'. If you have to point your arm, use 'that'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: This & That: Pointing Things Out
💡

Point and Ask

If you forget the word for an object, just point and say 'What is this?'. It's the best way to learn!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: What Is This? — Asking About Things
💡

The Noun Rule

Always make sure there is a noun after 'my' or 'your'. If there is no noun, you probably need 'mine' or 'yours'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: My & Your — Simple Possessives
💡

The 'Walk' Rule

If you can walk onto a vehicle, use 'on' (bus, train). If you have to duck or sit immediately, use 'in' (car, taxi).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: In, On, At: Where Things Are

Key Vocabulary (5)

book a written work pen an instrument for writing table a piece of furniture bag a container for carrying things phone a device for calling

Real-World Preview

search

Finding Your Keys

Review Summary

  • This/That + is + [noun]
  • What + is + this/that?
  • My/Your + [noun]
  • [Noun] + is + in/on/at + [place]
  • It is + here/there

Common Mistakes

You cannot use 'this' for something far away ('there'). Use 'that' for distance.

Wrong: This is my book there.
Correct: That is my book there.

We use 'on' for surfaces and 'in' for containers. A table is a surface.

Wrong: Where is the pen in the table?
Correct: Where is the pen on the table?

Use 'my' before a noun, not 'mine'. 'Mine' is used alone.

Wrong: What is that? That is mine book.
Correct: What is that? That is my book.

Next Steps

You've done an amazing job! Keep looking around and naming your world in English. See you in the next chapter!

Label your furniture with sticky notes using 'This is my...' phrases.

Continue to: Expressing Actions & Needs

Quick Practice (10)

Complete the question.

What ___ this?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
We use 'is' for singular objects like 'this'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: What Is This? — Asking About Things

Choose the correct response for a phone call.

Hello? ___ is David.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This
We use 'This is...' to identify ourselves on the phone.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: This & That: Pointing Things Out

Choose the correct word: I am standing ___ in my kitchen.

I am standing ___ in my kitchen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: here
Since the speaker is in the kitchen, 'here' is correct.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Here & There: Simple Location

Choose the correct word.

Is this ___ phone?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: your
'Your' is the possessive adjective needed before the noun 'phone'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: My & Your — Simple Possessives

Correct the sentence: Please come to here.

Find and fix the mistake:

Please come to here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please come here.
We do not use 'to' with 'here'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Here & There: Simple Location

Which is correct for transport?

I am ___ a taxi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: in
A taxi is a small, private vehicle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: In, On, At: Where Things Are

Fill in the blank: I love it ___ in Paris!

I love it ___ in Paris! (You are in Paris now)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: here
If you are currently in the place, use 'here'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Here & There: Simple Location

Choose the correct preposition.

I live ___ Paris.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: in
Paris is a city (large area), so we use 'in'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: In, On, At: Where Things Are

Fill in the blank with in, on, or at.

The keys are ___ the table.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
A table is a surface, so we use 'on'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: In, On, At: Where Things Are

Choose the best word for a past event.

___ was a great movie we saw yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That
We use 'that' for singular events in the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: This & That: Pointing Things Out

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Use this to point something out for the first time. Use it to refer to it again later. Example: 'This is my car. It is fast.'
Yes, but only for introductions or identification. 'This is my brother.' You wouldn't say 'This is tall' to describe him; you'd say 'He is tall.'
Yes! In fact, native speakers say What's this? more often than What is this? in casual conversation.
Use this for things you can touch or are very close. Use that for things further away.
Use my before a noun (my car). Use mine when there is no noun (It is mine).
Yes! Your is used for both one person and a group of people.
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Describing People & Things
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Expressing Actions & Needs
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