This / That / These / Those
Build your vocabulary with practical examples
Demonstratives point to things. Use 'this' for one thing that is near you — close in space or time: 'this book' (in my hand), 'this morning' (today).
'This' is singular. We also use it to introduce people and to choose an item: 'This is Anna', 'I'll take this one'.
Examples
This book is very interesting.
'this' = one thing, near the speaker.
This is my friend Anna.
'This is...' introduces a person.
I'll take this one, please.
'this one' chooses a nearby item.
this book
/ðɪs bʊk/
This book is very interesting.
this morning
/ðɪs ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
I had coffee this morning.
this is
/ðɪs ɪz/
This is my friend Anna.
this one
/ðɪs wʌn/
I'll take this one, please.
Choose the word for one thing near you: ___ book in my hand is interesting.
Introduce a person: ___ is my friend Anna.
Use 'that' for one thing that is further away — across the room, or further back in time: 'that house' (over there), 'that day' (in the past).
Like 'this', it is singular. The contrast is distance: this = near, that = far.
Examples
That house belongs to my uncle.
'that' = one thing, further away.
I remember that day clearly.
'that day' points back in time.
Not this — that one over there.
'that one' chooses a distant item.
that house
/ðæt haʊs/
That house belongs to my uncle.
that day
/ðæt deɪ/
I remember that day clearly.
that is
/ðæt ɪz/
That is a beautiful painting.
that one
/ðæt wʌn/
Not this — that one over there.
Choose the word for one thing far away: ___ house across the river is my uncle's.
Point to a distant item: Not this — ___ one over there.
'These' is the plural of 'this'. Use it for more than one thing that is near you: 'these shoes' (on my feet), 'these days' (the present period).
Remember the pair: this → these. The noun after it must be plural: these shoes, not these shoe.
Examples
These shoes are very comfortable.
Plural + near → 'these' + plural noun.
These days I work from home.
'these days' = the current period.
These are my parents.
'These are...' introduces more than one person.
these shoes
/ðiːz ʃuːz/
These shoes are very comfortable.
these days
/ðiːz deɪz/
These days I work from home.
these are
/ðiːz ɑːr/
These are my parents.
Choose the plural near form: ___ shoes on my feet are comfortable.
Introduce more than one person: ___ are my parents.
'Those' is the plural of 'that'. Use it for more than one thing that is further away: 'those people' (over there), 'those years' (long ago).
The full set: this (1, near) / that (1, far) / these (many, near) / those (many, far).
Examples
Those people are tourists.
Plural + far → 'those' + plural noun.
I'll never forget those years.
'those years' points far back in time.
Those are my old photos.
'Those are...' for distant plural items.
those people
/ðoʊz ˈpiːpəl/
Those people are tourists.
those years
/ðoʊz jɪərz/
I'll never forget those years.
those are
/ðoʊz ɑːr/
Those are my old photos.
Choose the plural far form: ___ people across the square are tourists.
Distant plural items: ___ are my old photos.
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Past Simple