Simple explanation
What are demonstratives? Demonstratives are words that help us point to people, animals, or things. In English, the four main demonstratives are this, that, these and those. They tell the listener where something is and how many things we are talking about. Near and far: the main idea The first step is to think about distance. This and these are used for things that are close to the speaker. That and those are used for things that are farther away. Singular and plural forms The second step is to check the number. This and that are used with one person or thing. These and those are used with two or more people or things. Using demonstratives without nouns Sometimes demonstratives can stand alone. For example, 'This is my phone.' In this sentence, this replaces the noun because the listener understands what we mean.
Grammar formula
Near singular
This + singular noun + be + adjective/nounThis bag is mine.
Far singular
That + singular noun + be + adjective/nounThat house is beautiful.
Near plural
These + plural noun + be + adjective/nounThese books are useful.
Far plural
Those + plural noun + be + adjective/nounThose pictures are old.
Question form
Is/Are + this/that/these/those + noun?Is this your pen?
Core rules
- 1
Use this for one nearby thing
Use this when you talk about one person or thing that is close to you. Example: This book is interesting.
- 2
Use that for one far thing
Use that when you talk about one person or thing that is not close to you. Example: That building is tall.
- 3
Use these for several nearby things
Use these when you talk about two or more things that are close. Example: These shoes are new.
- 4
Use those for several far things
Use those when you talk about two or more things that are far away. Example: Those cars are expensive.
Useful examples
This is my new phone.
This phone is close to me and it is new.
This is used for one thing near the speaker.
That is my teacher over there.
My teacher is far from me or not close.
That points to one person or thing away from the speaker.
These books are very interesting.
The books near me are interesting.
These is used with plural nouns that are close.
Those buildings are very old.
The buildings far away are very old.
Those refers to multiple things at a distance.
Is this your jacket?
I am asking about a jacket near me.
This can be used in questions about nearby objects.
Are those your friends?
I am asking about friends who are over there.
Those is used for plural people or things far away.
I don't like that movie.
I do not like that particular movie.
That can refer to something already mentioned or known.
These apples are fresh.
The apples near me are fresh.
These must be followed by a plural noun or replace plural things.
That is not my computer.
The computer over there does not belong to me.
That can also be used in negative sentences.
Those pictures look amazing.
The pictures over there look amazing.
Those refers to several distant objects.
Common mistakes
- ❌ This are my books. ✅ These are my books. Books is plural, so we need these, not this.
- ❌ Those is my car. ✅ That is my car. Car is singular, so we use that for one distant object.
- ❌ These book is new. ✅ This book is new. Book is singular, so this is the correct form.
- ❌ That shoes are expensive. ✅ Those shoes are expensive. Shoes is plural, so those is needed.
- ❌ These is my pen. ✅ This is my pen. Pen is one object, so we use this.
Learning tips
- Always check the number first: one thing or more than one.
- Then check the distance: near or far.
- This and that are singular forms.
- These and those are plural forms.
- Learn demonstratives through real situations, not isolated words.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between this and that?
This refers to one nearby thing, while that refers to one thing farther away or not close to the speaker.
When do I use these and those?
Use these for several nearby things and those for several things that are farther away.
Can I use this and that without a noun?
Yes. For example, 'This is my phone.' The demonstrative replaces the noun.
Why is 'This are my books' incorrect?
Because this is singular. For plural nouns like books, you need these.