This, That, These, Those

What are this, that, these and those?

This, that, these and those show which thing or person we mean. They tell us if something is near or far, and if it is one thing or more than one. These words are called demonstratives.

This coffee is hot. Those cakes look good.

How to use this, that, these, those: near and far

Examples:

• This bag is mine. (one bag, near me)
• That car is very old. (one car, far from me)
• These shoes are new. (two or more shoes, near me)
• Those people are my colleagues. (two or more people, far from me)

Uncountable nouns (water, music, money) take this and that:

• This water is cold.
• That music is too loud.

This, that, these, those with the verb "be"

That is can be short: that's. We do not usually write short forms for "this is", "these are" or "those are".

Questions:

• Is this your coat? → Yes, it is.
• What's that? → It's a bird.
• Are these your glasses? → Yes, they are.
• Who are those people? → They're my neighbours.

Note: in answers, use it for this/that and they for these/those. We do not say Yes, this is.

When to use this, that, these, those

1. Before a noun (determiner)

Here the word comes before a noun. A determiner = a word before a noun that shows which one.

• This sandwich is delicious.
• Can I try that jacket?
• These apples are from British Columbia.
• I don't know those men.

2. Alone, without a noun (pronoun)

Here the word stands alone, instead of the noun.

• This is great!
• What is that?
• These are for you.
• I like those.

3. With "one" and "ones"

Use this one / that one for one thing and these ones / those ones for more than one. We use them when we choose between things.

• Which phone do you want? → This one.
• I don't like this hat. I prefer that one.
• Do you want these shoes or those ones?

People often say just these or those without "ones": "I want those."

4. On the phone and when you introduce people

• Hello, this is Anna. (= I am Anna, on the phone)
• Is that Mark? (= are you Mark, on the phone)
• Mum, this is my friend, Leo.
• These are my parents.

In British English, people often say "Is that ...?" on the phone. In North American English, people often say "Is this ...?" Both are correct.

5. Time: now and then

• This week is very busy. (the week now)
• I'm free this evening.
• In those days, we lived in Ottawa. (a time in the past)
• That day was very cold.

6. "That" for something someone just said or did

• "I passed the test!" → "That's great!"
• "The bus is late again." → "That's annoying."
• "I'm sorry." → "That's OK."

This vs that, these vs those

Remember: this → these (near) and that → those (far).

Common mistakes

1. "This" or "that" with a plural noun

• Wrong: This books are interesting.
• Correct: These books are interesting.
• Plural noun → these or those.

2. "These" or "those" with "is"

• Wrong: These is my keys.
• Correct: These are my keys.
• These and those are plural → are.

3. "These" with a singular noun

• Wrong: These car is fast.
• Correct: This car is fast.
• One thing → this or that.

4. Using "this" or "these" in a short answer

• Wrong: Is this your bag? — Yes, this is.
• Correct: Is this your bag? — Yes, it is.
• In short answers, use it or they.

5. Adding "the" or "a"

• Wrong: The this book is mine. / That a car is nice.
• Correct: This book is mine. / That car is nice.
• Do not use an article with this, that, these, those.

Quick reference

Common questions

What is the difference between "this" and "these"?

This is for one thing near you: this box. These is for two or more things near you: these boxes.

Is it "these ones" or just "these"?

Both are used. These ones and those ones are common in everyday speech. In writing, many people prefer just these or those.

Why do we say "This is Anna" on the phone?

On the phone, the other person cannot see you, so we use this is to say who we are. This is Anna or It's Anna is the usual way to start.

Practise next

• Determiners — some, any, every, each and more
• Articles: A, An, The — when to use a, an and the
• There Is and There Are — say what is in a place
• Subject and Object Pronouns — it and they in answers
• A1 Grammar Basics Quiz — check your A1 grammar