This, that, these, those

This, that, these, and those are the words you use to point at something — to show your listener exactly which thing, or things, you mean. Which one you pick depends on two things: how close it is, and how many there are.

Quick shortcut: this/these = near the speaker. that/those = farther from the speaker. this/that = singular. these/those = plural.

The four demonstratives

There are only four of these words, and they form a simple grid — near or far, singular or plural:

• This is my phone. (one, near me)
• That is your phone. (one, farther away)
• These are my keys. (more than one, near me)
• Those are your keys. (more than one, farther away)

Near or far

This and these point to something close to the speaker — often something you could reach out and touch:

• This coffee is hot. (the cup right in front of me)
• These shoes are new. (the shoes on my feet)

That and those point to something farther from the speaker — across the room, outside, or just not right next to the speaker. It might even be close to the person they're talking to:

• That building is really old. (over there)
• Those birds are loud. (up in the tree, not next to the speaker)
• Can you pass me that pen? (the pen is near the listener, not the speaker — so it's still that)

"Near" and "far" aren't only about physical space — this/these and that/those work the same way for time: this week means the current one, while that day points back to a specific time already mentioned.

One thing or more than one

This and that go with a singular noun, or with an uncountable noun — something you don't count with a plural -s, like water or music. These and those go with a plural noun:

• ✅ This book is interesting. — never ❌ This books is interesting.
• ✅ These books are interesting. — never ❌ These book is interesting.
• ✅ This water is cold. (uncountable, so still this, not these)

With the verb be, the same pattern applies: the singular forms this/that take is/was, and the plural forms these/those take are/were:

• This is my bag. / These are my bags.
• That was a great film. / Those were great films.

With other verbs, the demonstrative and the noun still agree the normal way: This looks good. These look good.

Used alone, or before a noun

Demonstratives can work in two ways: standing alone as the subject or object of a sentence, or sitting right before a noun to point out which one:

• Alone: This is delicious. I'll take those. (the noun isn't repeated — it's already clear from context)
• Before a noun: This cake is delicious. I'll take those apples. (the noun is named directly)

Both are completely normal — which one you use just depends on whether it's already clear what you're talking about.

One especially common pattern uses this/that + is to introduce someone or something: This is Maria. This is my bag. That's my teacher, over there.

Pointing to an idea, not just a thing

This and that don't only point at physical objects — they're also used to refer back to a whole idea, situation, or something someone just said:

• She got the job! That's amazing news.
• I forgot my umbrella. This is a problem.

When you're pointing back to one whole situation like this, use the singular this/that. But if you're referring to several separate ideas or points, use the plural forms these/those too: We need more time and more money — these are the main problems.

Common mistakes

• ❌ This books are mine. → ✅ These books are mine. (plural noun needs these, not this)
• ❌ Those car is expensive. → ✅ That car is expensive. (singular noun needs that, not those)
• ❌ I like this shoes. → ✅ I like these shoes. (shoes is plural)
• ❌ That were a good idea. → ✅ That was a good idea. (singular that needs was, not were)
• ❌ These is my friend. → ✅ This is my friend. (one friend, singular)
• ❌ This my phone. → ✅ This is my phone. (don't forget is — use it in sentences like This is my phone)

Quick check

Which word fits — this, that, these, or those?

1. ____ apple in my hand is sweet. (one, near you)
2. ____ mountains over there are beautiful. (more than one, far away)
3. Can you pass me ____ pen? (one, near the listener, not near you)
4. ____ shoes I'm wearing are new. (more than one, near you)

Key takeaways

• This (near the speaker, singular), that (farther away, singular), these (near the speaker, plural), those (farther away, plural).
• This/that also go with uncountable nouns (this water); these/those only go with plural nouns.
• With be, the verb agrees too: singular this/that + is/was; plural these/those + are/were.
• Demonstratives can stand alone (I'll take these) or go before a noun (I'll take these apples).
• This and that are also used to point back to a whole idea; use these/those only for several separate ideas.