Demonstratives: This, That, These, Those

Demonstratives point to specific things and indicate their distance from the speaker.

Overview

This vs. That

This (near, singular)

• This book is interesting. (holding it)
• This is my car. (standing next to it)
• I like this. (something here)

That (far, singular)

• That building is tall. (pointing at it)
• That is her house. (over there)
• What is that? (something there)

These vs. Those

These (near, plural)

• These shoes are comfortable. (wearing them)
• These are my friends. (standing with them)
• I’ll take these. (items here)

Those (far, plural)

• Those mountains are beautiful. (in the distance)
• Those are her children. (over there)
• Who are those people? (people there)

As Determiners vs. Pronouns

Determiner (before a noun)

• This book is good.
• I want that car.
• These apples are fresh.
• Look at those birds.

Pronoun (replacing a noun)

• This is good. (= This book/thing)
• I want that. (= that car/thing)
• These are fresh. (= These apples/things)
• Look at those. (= those birds/things)

Time References

This (present, near future)

• this morning / afternoon / evening
• this week / month / year
• this Monday (the coming Monday)
• I’m busy this week.

That (past, completed)

• that day (a past day we’re talking about)
• that time (referring to a past occasion)
• Do you remember that summer?

Phone Conversations

This (for yourself)

• Hello, this is John speaking.
• This is the front desk.

That (asking about the other person)

• Who is that?
• Is that you, Mary?

Special Uses

Introducing People

• This is my friend, Sarah.
• Mom, this is Tom.

Referring Back

• The meeting was canceled. That was disappointing.
• He lied to me. I can’t forget that.

Emphasis

• I don’t like this weather!
• That was amazing!

Practice

Choose the correct demonstrative:

1. “Look at ___ stars!” (far, plural) → Look at those stars!

2. ”___ is delicious!” (eating something now) → This is delicious!

3. “I’ll see you ___ Friday.” (the coming Friday) → I’ll see you this Friday.

4. “Who are ___ people over there?” (far, plural) → Who are those people over there?