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?
Learn Them One by One
Near or far? One or more than one? Take one word at a time and check each example.
Step 1: This
Use this for one thing that is near you — close enough to touch or point to without stretching. “This book” is the book in your hand.
Examples:
- This is my pen. (The pen is right here.)
- I like this shirt. (The shirt I am wearing or holding.)
- This coffee is hot. (The coffee in front of me.)
Common mistake
Using this for something far away
✗ This car over there is very fast.
✓ That car over there is very fast.
Using this for plural
How to remember: Picture something in your hand. One thing. Close to you. That is this.
Step 2: That
Use that for one thing that is far from you — across the room, across the street, anywhere you cannot reach without walking.
Examples:
- That is my house. (The house at the end of the road.)
- Look at that bird! (The bird up in the tree.)
- That dog is friendly. (The dog over there, not next to me.)
Common mistake
Using that for something near you
✗ That is my phone (holding it up).
✓ This is my phone (holding it up).
Using that for plural
How to remember: Stretch your arm. If you cannot reach it, it is that. Far goes with that — both have an “a” sound.
Step 3: These
Use these for more than one thing that is near you — two or more shoes on your feet, several books in your bag, all the apples on your desk.
Examples:
- These are my keys. (Two or more keys, in my hand.)
- I love these cookies. (Several cookies on the plate in front of me.)
- These chairs are comfortable. (The chairs in this room.)
Common mistake
Using these for one thing
✗ These is my pen.
✓ This is my pen.
Using these for things far away
How to remember: More than one + near = these. “This” + many things = “these.” The shape changes because the number changes.
Step 4: Those
Use those for more than one thing that is far from you — birds in the sky, cars across the street, books on the highest shelf.
Examples:
- Those are my parents. (Two people across the room.)
- Look at those stars! (Many stars in the sky.)
- Those shoes are too expensive. (Shoes in the shop window, not in my hand.)
Common mistake
Using those for one far thing
✗ Those car at the end of the road is mine.
✓ That car at the end of the road is mine.
Using those for things near you
How to remember: Many + far = those. Picture pointing at the sky — many things, all far away.
Test Yourself: This, That, These, Those
Choose an answer to see your feedback immediately. Your first answer counts towards your score.
1. _______ is my phone (in my hand).
2. Look at _______ birds far away 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.
Practise this with one thing near you. Then compare it with that for one thing farther away. The next lesson gives you more examples and practice.
Next lesson: Possessive Adjectives: My, Your, His, Her, Our, Their
I’m Khamis Maiouf. I’m studying Health and Social Care and have completed Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Level 3 Hairdressing. I have taught ESOL in my community and helped students with GCSE English. I run English Teacher Site to help people learn and practise English.