This, that, these or those?
Four words, two questions. How many things, and how far away.
The short answer
This and these point at what is near; that and those at what is further off. This and that are singular, these and those plural. So: this book, these books, that book over there, those books over there.
Which one do you need?
| Near | Far | |
|---|---|---|
| One thing | this chair | that chair |
| Several things | these chairs | those chairs |
Practice the choice
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Getting your first question ready.
Side by side
Three sentences for each form, taken from the 450 sentences this drill uses. The answer is highlighted.
this
- This letter in my hand is from the bank.
- This path we are walking on leads to the river.
- This fence we are looking at now is on the old map as well.
that
- Do you see that bicycle across the road?
- That painting over there is part of the old collection.
- That shop in the distance is much better than the rest.
these
- These pears in my basket are not ripe yet.
- These jars I just opened smell of vinegar.
- These lamps right next to us are worth keeping.
those
- Do you see those paintings across the road?
- Those barrels over there are exactly what I needed.
- Those suitcases on the far side of the hall are included in the price.
Distance, then number
This and these are for things within reach, or just mentioned, or happening now. That and those are for things further off, in space or in time.
- Pass me this one. — the one in my hand
- Pass me that one. — the one over there
The number is the easy half: this and that take one thing, these and those take several. The verb follows: this is, these are.
Distance in time
The same pair covers time, with now as the near point:
- this morning — today
- that morning — some morning in the past
- these days — now
- those days — then
So in those days means long ago, and at this point means now.
As a word on its own
All four work without a noun after them:
- This is my brother.
- That was unexpected.
- These are the ones I meant.
- I’ll take those.
Careful with people: this is my brother is fine when introducing, but that man for a person present is blunt. Use a name, or he.
On the phone
A fixed convention, and the one place where learners reliably pick the wrong word:
- Hello, this is Anna. — identifying yourself
- Is that Peter? — asking who you are speaking to
That for what was just said
That often points back at a whole statement, not at an object:
- She’s resigning. — That’s a surprise.
- He didn’t call. That bothers me.
This can do the same job when you are about to explain further: This is what worries me: nobody checked.
Those who
Those introduces a group defined by what they do:
Those who arrive late will wait outside.
Fixed phrase, always plural, and never these who.
Mistakes to avoid
Wrong: I like this shoes. correct: I like these shoes.
Shoes is plural, so the plural form is needed. This goes with one thing only.
Wrong: Those is my keys. correct: Those are my keys.
Those is plural and takes are.
Wrong: Hello, that is Anna speaking. correct: Hello, this is Anna speaking.
On the phone you identify yourself with this and ask about the other person with that: is that Anna?