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Understanding this, that, these, and those is essential for clear communication in English.
Singular Near and Far: This vs That
At the heart of demonstratives lies the distinction between this and that. We use this to point to something that is near the speaker, either physically close or conceptually close in time or relationship. For example, you might hold up a pen and say, "This is my new pen," because it is literally in your hand. You might also refer to the present moment by saying, "This week has been very busy," indicating something happening right now. The key idea is proximity, whether it is spatial, temporal, or social.
Conversely, that points to something that is farther away from the speaker. If you are sitting across the room and gesture toward a clock on the wall, you would likely say, "That clock is very loud," because it is not within your immediate reach. We also use that when referring to a past event or a situation that is more removed from the present. For instance, you might reflect by saying, "That was a difficult decision last year," placing the event at a distance in time. Remembering the simple rule of "this for near, that for far" helps you choose the correct word instantly.
Plural Proximity: These vs Those
The same logic applies when dealing with plural nouns, only the words change to these and those. These is the plural form of this, so it describes items that are close to you. If you are at a fruit stand and point to the apples right in front of you, you would say, "These apples look delicious." The objects are physically within your immediate vicinity, making these the appropriate choice. You can also use these for ideas that are currently being discussed, such as in the phrase, "These are the reasons for the new policy."
On the other hand, those serve as the plural form of that, referring to items that are farther away. Imagine looking out a window at trees in a park; you would likely say, "Those trees are very tall." The distance between you and the trees makes those the correct pronoun. In a business context, you might separate current data from historical data by stating, "These are the current figures, but those from last quarter show a decline." Mastering the difference between these and those ensures your descriptions remain precise, regardless of how many items you are discussing.
The Contracted Forms: This Is vs That Is and These Are vs Those Are
In everyday speech and writing, you will rarely see the full forms written out as this is, that is, these are, or those are. Instead, they contract into smoother combinations that flow more naturally. For singular subjects, the contractions are this is turning into "this's" (though often just "this is" is spoken) and that is becoming "that's." For example, "That's the man I was talking about" uses the contracted form to link the pronoun to the verb efficiently.
For plural subjects, the pattern continues with these are contracting to "these're" or more commonly "these are," and those are becoming "those're" or "those are." You might hear, "Those are the ones we need to fix." Understanding that these are merely shortened versions of the full phrases helps you recognize them instantly. Whether you are speaking or writing, choosing the correct base form—this, that, these, or those—remains the same, even if the contraction changes the sound.
Common Mistakes and Tricky Situations
Even proficient English users sometimes mix up these words, especially when the physical distance is not clear. A common error is using that or those for something close. Imagine pointing to a sandwich right in front of you and saying, "That is my lunch." This sounds awkward because you are holding it nearby; the correct phrase is "This is my lunch." The mistake usually happens when the speaker is thinking about the object conceptually rather than physically.
Another tricky situation involves abstract distance rather than physical distance. You might say, "I prefer this idea to that one," even if both ideas are just sitting on a table in front of you. Here, this refers to the idea you favor or are currently considering, while that refers to the alternative that is less favorable. Similarly, in storytelling, you might refer to the main narrative as "this story" and a side plot as "those adventures." Paying attention to the context and the relationship between the speaker and the subject is more important than just measuring physical space.
How to Choose the Right Word Quickly
To use these demonstratives correctly, try a simple mental checklist. First, determine if you are talking about one item or more than one. Is it a singular noun or a plural noun? Second, evaluate the distance. Is the object close to you or far away? If it is close and singular, use this; if close and plural, use these. If it is far and singular, use that; if far and plural, use those. By asking yourself these two questions—"How many?" and "How far?"—you can select the correct word almost automatically.
Listening to native speakers is another excellent way to internalize the rules. Pay attention to how they use this and that in conversation, noticing the context in which they appear. Over time, your ear will develop a sense for the subtle differences in proximity and emphasis. Practicing by describing objects around you using the correct demonstrative will reinforce the grammar until it feels natural.
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Conclusion
Mastering the distinction between this, that, these, and those is a fundamental step toward achieving fluency and precision in English. By consistently applying the concepts of proximity and number, you can eliminate confusion and express your thoughts with greater confidence. Whether you are speaking casually or writing formally, these small words play a big role in ensuring your message is understood exactly as intended.
