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This These That and Those in English Grammar

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What Is the Difference Between This These That and Those with Rules and Examples

This page teaches students how to use this these that and those in English sentences. These words, called demonstrative pronouns, help point to things or people nearby or far away. Here, you will find definitions, rules, everyday examples, helpful quotes, and practice worksheets to master these important grammar tools for clear communication.


What are ‘This’, ‘These’, ‘That’, and ‘Those’?

This and these point to things near you; that and those point to things far from you. This/that are for singular nouns. These/those are for plural nouns.

Page Outline: What You’ll Learn

  • Definitions of this, these, that, and those
  • Rules for correct usage in English
  • Practical examples in sentences
  • Quotes & quick facts for clarity
  • Essay and speech samples (150, 250, 500 words)
  • FAQs answered in simple language
  • Printable worksheets and answer keys

This These That And Those: Definition and Rules

Demonstrative pronouns are words used to point to people, objects, or ideas. This (singular) and these (plural) refer to things that are close to the speaker. That (singular) and those (plural) refer to things farther away. These words improve clarity in writing and speaking.


Types and Position

There are two main types: this/these (near), that/those (far). Demonstratives come before the noun or stand alone as pronouns. Example: "This book is mine," or "These are delicious."


Examples

1. This is my pencil.
2. These are my friends.
3. That is your bag.
4. Those are old trees.
5. This cake tastes amazing.


Quick Quotes & Facts

“A demonstrative pronoun points out a noun in a sentence.”
– Cambridge English
Use this and these for things you can touch or see nearby.
Use that and those for objects far away from you.
Singular: this/that | Plural: these/those
“Accurate demonstratives make your meaning clear in writing and speaking.”
A demonstrative can be a pronoun or an adjective: “This is new” vs “This pen.”

Sample Essays and Speeches (Collapsible)

Sample Speech – 150 words

Today, I will talk about this these that and those in English grammar. These are called demonstrative pronouns. We use this for one thing near us and these for more than one thing close by. We use that for something far away, and those for many things that are not close. For example, "This is my book," and "These are my pencils." If something is not near, we say, "That is my house," or "Those are my shoes." Knowing how to use this these that and those helps us point clearly to people or objects. It makes speaking and writing more accurate. Mastering these words improves our communication and grammar in both essays and conversations.


Sample Paragraph – 250 words

This these that and those are essential for beginner and advanced English learners. They are used every day, whether in writing assignments or giving speeches. This is used when referring to something singular and close, like "This chair is comfortable." These is its plural form, as in "These apples are sweet." On the other hand, use that for a single object far away. For example, "That mountain looks tall." Those is used for plural objects at a distance: "Those stars are beautiful." Also, this these that and those act as demonstrative adjectives when used before a noun: "This car is new." As demonstrative pronouns, they can stand alone: "This is delicious." Being able to distinguish between near/far and singular/plural helps in using them correctly. Many students make mistakes by mixing up these/those or this/that. Practicing sentences, using worksheets, and reading aloud can strengthen these concepts. In exams or real life, using these words well makes your speech or essay easy to understand. Vedantu offers many worksheets to practice. Remember: this/these for near, that/those for far, and always match with singular or plural nouns.


Essay – 500 words

When learning English grammar, this these that and those play an important role. These words, called demonstrative pronouns, allow us to refer to people, places, or things and show exactly which one we mean. For example, when you say "This is my pen," you point to one pen near you. If you have a group to show, say, "These are my books." When pointing to something far away, use "That is my friend's bag," and for many at a distance, "Those are our bicycles." This these that and those help avoid confusion in daily speech and writing. In essays, using them makes descriptions specific and creative. As demonstrative adjectives, they add detail, like "This apple tastes fresh," or "Those animals are in the zoo." As pronouns, they stand alone: "That was amazing."

Always remember, "this/these" are for things close by, "that/those" for things farther away. Use "this" and "that" with one thing (singular), and "these" and "those" with two or more (plural). Students often mix up "these" and "those." To avoid mistakes, see if what you are pointing to is near or far, and check if it’s one or many. Worksheets, like those at Vedantu, offer practical sentences and answer keys for extra practice.

These words are not just for grammar exams—they appear in stories, instructions, and even in friendly talks. For example, “This story reminds me of my childhood,” or “Those memories will never fade.” In speeches, using demonstratives keeps your audience engaged. With dedicated practice and clear examples, mastering this these that and those becomes easy. Use them to improve your marks and communicate confidently every day.


Practice more with Vedantu’s expertly crafted worksheets and answer keys — ideal for quick revision and deep learning.

For younger learners, see how to use this these that those for kids.
To get more sentence examples, visit examples of this these that those.
Looking for extra practice? Try this that these those exercises and this that these those worksheets.

Understanding this these that and those is key for clear, precise English in both writing and daily speech. These demonstratives help students correctly point to people or things and improve grammar marks. With real-life examples, practical worksheets, and expert tips from Vedantu, you can confidently use these pronouns in any situation. Keep practicing for better results every day!

FAQs on This These That and Those in English Grammar

1. What is the difference between this, these, that, and those?

The difference between this, these, that, and those is that they are demonstrative words used to show distance and number.

  • This – singular, near (this book)
  • These – plural, near (these books)
  • That – singular, far (that house)
  • Those – plural, far (those houses)
They are called demonstratives because they point to specific people or things.

2. What are demonstrative pronouns in English?

Demonstrative pronouns are words that replace nouns and point to specific things, and they include this, these, that, and those.

  • They stand alone without a noun.
  • Example: This is my favorite.
  • Example: Those are beautiful.
They help indicate distance (near or far) and number (singular or plural).

3. How do you use this and these in a sentence?

Use this for singular nouns that are near and these for plural nouns that are near.

  • This pen is mine. (one pen, near)
  • These pens are mine. (more than one, near)
Both words can function as demonstrative adjectives when they come before a noun.

4. How do you use that and those correctly?

Use that for singular nouns that are far away and those for plural nouns that are far away.

  • That mountain looks beautiful.
  • Those mountains look beautiful.
They indicate physical or emotional distance in English grammar.

5. Can this, these, that, and those be used as adjectives?

Yes, this, these, that, and those can function as demonstrative adjectives when they describe a noun.

  • This car is new.
  • Those students are late.
In this case, they come before a noun and modify it.

6. What is the rule for choosing this or that?

The rule is to use this for something near and that for something far.

  • Near in distance or time: This day is special.
  • Far in distance or past time: That day was special.
This rule applies to both physical distance and time references.

7. What is the rule for choosing these or those?

Use these for plural nouns that are near and those for plural nouns that are far.

  • These cookies are fresh. (near)
  • Those cookies were delicious. (far or past)
Both words must agree with plural nouns.

8. Can this and that refer to time in English?

Yes, this and that can refer to time, not just physical distance.

  • This week is busy. (current time)
  • That year was difficult. (past time)
They help show whether something is present/current or distant in the past.

9. What are common mistakes when using this, these, that, and those?

A common mistake is mismatching singular and plural nouns with the wrong demonstrative word.

  • Incorrect: This books
  • Correct: These books
  • Incorrect: Those car
  • Correct: That car
Always check number agreement and distance when choosing the correct form.

10. Can you give example sentences using this, these, that, and those?

Yes, here are example sentences showing correct usage of this, these, that, and those.

  • This is my phone.
  • These are my keys.
  • That is your bag.
  • Those are your shoes.
Each sentence demonstrates correct agreement in number and distance.