This, That, These, Those
Quick Answer
English has four demonstratives — small words that point at things. Two are for one thing: this (near) and that (far). Two are for more than one: these (near) and those (far).
Click any one below to open a short lesson with examples, common mistakes, and a quiz.
What Is a Demonstrative?
A demonstrative is a small word you use to point at things. In English there are exactly four:
- this book — one thing, in your hand
- that book — one thing, across the room
- these books — many things, in your hand
- those books — many things, across the room
The choice depends on two questions: How many? (one or more than one) and How close? (near or far).
The Four Demonstratives
Each one has its own short lesson. Pick one, learn it, take the quiz, then come back for the next.
| Word | How many? | How close? | Example | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| this | one | near | This is my pen. | Learn THIS |
| that | one | far | That is my house. | Learn THAT |
| these | more than one | near | These are my keys. | Learn THESE |
| those | more than one | far | Those are my parents. | Learn THOSE |
The Rule in One Line: Demonstratives answer two questions — how many? and how close?
How to Learn These Four Words
Many learners try to memorise all four at once and get them mixed up. The easy way is to learn them as two pairs:
- Pair 1 — near vs far (one thing): this / that
- Pair 2 — near vs far (more than one): these / those
Learn one a day, four days, four small wins. That is how it sticks.
Test Yourself: This, That, These, Those
Three quick questions to see what you remember. Click Check after each one.
1. _______ is my phone (in my hand).
2. Look at _______ birds in the sky!
3. _______ shoes (the ones I am wearing) are new.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You now know the four demonstratives by name. The next step is to make each one feel automatic.
The first one is this. It seems simple — but did you know there is one tiny rule that decides whether you say “this car” or “that car”? Most beginners get it wrong the first time.
Next lesson: Demonstrative THIS — When and How to Use It
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
