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This, that, these, those
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 6 of 24
We use this, that, these and those to show which thing we mean. They tell the listener if a thing is near or far and if it is one or many.
Rule
Choose the word by two questions: Is it near or far? Is it one thing or many things? «Near» means close to you, often in your hand or next to you. «Far» means over there, not close to you.
| Near (here) | Far (there) | |
|---|---|---|
| One (singular) | this | that |
| Many (plural) | these | those |
This is my phone. (in my hand)
That is my house. (over there)
These shoes are new. (on my feet)
Those birds are big. (in the sky)
With a noun or alone
You can use these words before a noun or alone.
- Before a noun: this book, those people.
- Alone: This is nice. Those are my keys.
When we use these words alone, they usually mean things. For people, we use them with be: That is my teacher. These are my friends.
Remember the verb: this / that + is, these / those + are. We often say that’s for that is.
This coffee is hot.
Who is that man?
Are these your bags?
That’s a good idea!
I like those flowers.
Introducing people
We use this to introduce a person, even when two or more people stand together: Anna, this is Tom. Tom, this is Anna. For a group, we say: These are my parents. On the phone we also say: Hello, this is Maria.
Common mistakes
✗ This books are good.
✓ These books are good.
✗ Those is my car.
✓ That is my car.
✗ These are my sister.
✓ This is my sister.