A1 Pronouns 4 min read Easy

This, That, These, Those: Pointing Words

Demonstratives point to objects based on their distance from the speaker and their quantity (singular or plural).
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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

this, that, these, and those are pointing words.
They help you show what you are talking about.
You use them for people and things.
You choose the word based on two things.
First, how many things are there?
Second, how far away are they?
These words make your English clear.
You can use them alone.
Example: This is my book.
You can use them with a noun.
Example: This book is mine.

How This Grammar Works

English uses a simple system for these words.
You must think about distance and number.
This helps you pick the right word.
First, think about distance.
Is the thing near you?
Maybe it is in your hand.
Maybe it is right in front of you.
Use this or these for near things.
Is the thing far from you?
Maybe it is across the room.
Maybe it is outside.
Use that or those for far things.
Distance can also be about time.
This is for now or today.
That is for the past.
Example

This day is good.

Example

That day was cold.

Second, think about number.
Is there one thing (singular)?
Are there two or more things (plural)?
The word must match the number of things.
This makes your sentences clear.
Use this flower for one flower.
Use these flowers for many flowers.

Formation Pattern

1
Choosing the right word is easy.
2
Follow this simple table:
3
| Distance from Speaker | Singular (one) | Plural (more than one) |
4
| :-------------------- | :------------- | :--------------------- |
5
| Near | this | these |
6
| Far | that | those |
7
Let's look at each word:
8
This: Use this for one thing near you. Use it with the word is. Example: This is my phone. (The phone is in your hand). You can also put it before a noun. Example: I like this song. (The song is playing now).
9
That: Use that for one thing far from you. Use it with the word is. Example: That is her house. (The house is across the street). You can also put it before a noun. Example: Can you see that bird? (The bird is in the sky).
10
These: Use these for many things near you. Use it with the word are. Example: These are my keys. (The keys are on your table). You can also put it before a noun. Example: I need to buy these shoes. (You are holding the shoes).
11
Those: Use those for many things far from you. Use it with the word are. Example: Those are my friends. (Your friends are far away). You can also put it before a noun. Example: Look at those clouds. (The clouds are high up).
12
Sometimes these words stand alone.
13
Example: This is delicious.
14
Sometimes they go before a noun.
15
Example: I want that car.

When To Use It

You will use these words every day.
They help you talk about many things.
  • Identifying Specific Items or People: Use them to point to something. You can introduce a person. Example: This is my brother, David. David is standing next to you. You can ask about a pen. Example: Is this your pen? If a car is far away, ask: Is that your car?
  • Introducing a Topic or Item for Discussion: Use these words to talk about a topic. You can share news. Example: This is my new plan. You can talk about an old meeting. Example: That meeting was long.
  • Referring to Time: This and that also talk about time. This morning means today. That morning means a day in the past. Example: I am busy this week. Example: I was happy that year.
  • Shopping and Making Choices: These words are very helpful in shops. You can point to a shirt you like. Example: I like this shirt. You can ask about shoes on a high shelf. Example: How much are those shoes?
  • Clarification and Distinction: Use these words to show the difference between things.

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 This, That, These, Those: Pointing Words
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Singular)
This/That + is + noun
This is my phone.
Affirmative (Plural)
These/Those + are + nouns
Those are my shoes.
Negative (Singular)
This/That + is not + noun
That isn't my car.
Negative (Plural)
These/Those + are not + nouns
These aren't your books.
Question (Singular)
Is + this/that + noun?
Is this the bus stop?
Question (Plural)
Are + these/those + nouns?
Are those your parents?
Short Answer (+)
Yes, it is / Yes, they are
Is that yours? Yes, it is.
Short Answer (-)
No, it isn't / No, they aren't
Are these new? No, they aren't.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Could you tell me what this item is?

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

Neutral
What is this?

What is this? (Shopping or curiosity)

Informal
What's this?

What's this? (Shopping or curiosity)

Slang
What's this thingy?

What's this thingy? (Shopping or curiosity)

The 4 Pointing Words

Demonstratives

Singular

  • This Near
  • That Far

Plural

  • These Near
  • Those Far

Near vs. Far

Near (In your hand)
This Singular
These Plural
Far (Across the room)
That Singular
Those Plural

Which word should I use?

1

Is it one thing?

YES
Go to Distance Check (Singular)
NO
Go to Distance Check (Plural)
2

Is it near you?

YES
Use THIS (Singular) or THESE (Plural)
NO
Use THAT (Singular) or THOSE (Plural)

Common Usage Scenarios

🛍️

Shopping

  • • This shirt
  • • Those shoes
  • • That price
🤝

Introductions

  • • This is my dad
  • • These are my kids
  • • Is that Alex?
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Examples by Level

1

This is my cat.

2

That is a big tree.

3

These are my friends.

4

Are those your keys?

1

This coffee is very hot.

2

I don't like that movie.

3

These sandwiches are delicious.

4

Who are those people over there?

1

This is exactly what I was talking about.

2

That was a difficult time for everyone.

3

These rules are quite confusing.

4

Those who finish early can leave.

1

This new policy will affect all employees.

2

That is a very interesting point you've raised.

3

These findings suggest a need for further research.

4

Those arguments are simply not valid in this context.

1

This brings us to the final conclusion of the report.

2

That the economy is failing is a common misconception.

3

These are not merely suggestions; they are requirements.

4

Those present at the meeting agreed to the terms.

1

This, then, is the crux of the matter.

2

I simply cannot stand that constant whistling of his.

3

These are but a few of the challenges we face.

4

Those were the days of wine and roses.

Easily Confused

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.

Common Mistakes

✗

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'.

Sentence Patterns

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.

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💡

The Touch Test

If you can touch it without moving, use 'this' or 'these'. If you have to walk or point far away, use 'that' or 'those'.
⚠️

Watch the Verb!

Don't forget to change 'is' to 'are' when you move from 'this' to 'these'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
🎯

Phone Etiquette

Always use 'this' to identify yourself on the phone. Saying 'I am John' sounds like you are introducing yourself in person.
💬

Emotional Distance

Native speakers use 'that' to talk about things they don't like. 'I don't like that attitude' sounds more distant and negative than 'this attitude'.

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?

Pronunciation

/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.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

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

Visual Association

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

Challenge

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!

Cultural Notes

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).

Conversation Starters

“

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?

Journal Prompts

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.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

___ 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

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ 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. Multiple Choice

___ 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. Multiple Choice

I want to buy ___ shoes over there.

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

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

___ 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. Multiple Choice

___ 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. Multiple Choice

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
Fill in the Blank

___ (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.
Translation

Translate: 'Dies sind meine Eltern.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: These are my parents.
Multiple Choice

Identify the correct sentence for a person calling on the phone:

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

Match the demonstrative to its category:

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

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I want that apple on the table.
Fill in the Blank

Look at ___ bird way up in the tree!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
Multiple Choice

How do you introduce your friend Mark?

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

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

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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

Previous
English Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her (Receiving the Action)

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