Demonstratives: This, That, These, Those
This museum, those mountains — near or far, now or then. Learn the rules, then practise.
Show rules
this / that / these / those
| Near (here, now) | Far (there, then) | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | this | that |
| Plural | these | those |
✅ this book (in my hand) — that book (over there)
✅ these shoes (here) — those shoes (across the room)
As an adjective or a pronoun
- adjective (before a noun): this book, those people
- pronoun (alone): This is great. Who are those?
Time
- this week / month / year — the current one; this morning — today
- that day / time / summer — a specific moment in the past
- these days = nowadays; in those days = in the past
Introducing people and the phone
- Introducing people: This is my friend Tom. (never "that")
- On the phone, identifying yourself: Hello, this is Anna.
- On the phone, asking who it is: Is that Sarah?
that for referring back
Use that to refer back to a fact or statement already mentioned: "She got the job." "That's wonderful news!"
Use this for something you are about to say or show: "Listen to this..."
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| this shoes | these shoes |
| that days | those days |
| That is my friend Tom. | This is my friend Tom. |
| Look at this birds. | Look at those birds. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this/these and that/those?
Use 'this' (singular) and 'these' (plural) for things that are near the speaker — close in space, time, or thought. Use 'that' (singular) and 'those' (plural) for things that are farther away. 'This book' is in my hand; 'that book' is over there. 'These shoes' are here; 'those shoes' are across the room.
Which demonstrative do you use for time?
Use 'this' for the current period — this week, this month, this morning. Use 'that' for a specific moment in the past, especially in stories — 'I'll never forget that day'. 'These days' means 'nowadays', and 'in those days' means 'in the past'.
Do you say 'this is' or 'that is' on the phone?
When you identify yourself on the phone, use 'this': 'Hello, this is Anna.' When you ask who the other person is, use 'that': 'Is that Sarah?' When introducing people face to face, always use 'this': 'This is my friend Tom.'
When do you use 'that' to refer back to something?
Use 'that' to refer back to a fact, idea, or statement that has just been mentioned: 'She got the job.' 'That's wonderful!' Use 'this' for something you are about to say or show: 'Listen to this...'. 'That' looks back; 'this' looks forward.