This, That, These, Those
Four pointing words: this and these for what is near, that and those for what is far. One distance, one number — pick the pair.
What are Demonstratives?
Two questions, four words
Every demonstrative answers two questions: near or far? One or many? This is the whole system — distance times number.
this — near, one
in your hand, right hereThis book is mine
that — far, one
across the room, over thereThat mountain is high
these — near, many
plural of thisThese shoes are new
those — far, many
plural of thatThose birds are flying
⚠️ This/these = near. That/those = far. The -e- is the distance, the -s- is the plural.
Singular ↔ Plural
Match the pointing words
Each demonstrative has a twin: this becomes these, that becomes those. Match each pair and say them out loud.
⚠️ The noun changes number — the demonstrative changes with it.
Common Mistakes
Five traps to escape
Mixing near and far is rare — mixing one and many is the classic slip. These five pairs show where the number breaks.
This books are heavy.
These books are heavy.
💡 Many → these, not this.
These cat is sleeping.
This cat is sleeping.
💡 One → this, not these.
Those dog is barking.
That dog is barking.
💡 One and far → that.
That apples are green.
Those apples are green.
💡 Many and far → those.
This are my keys.
These are my keys.
💡 Are needs a plural subject: these.
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned
Three minutes, five questions — check what stuck. No essay questions, we promise.
___ is my phone here in my hand.
💡 Zusatzinfo2 Abschnitte
This is / These are
The verb follows the number
This and that ride with is; these and those ride with are. Slide the right verb in and the pair snaps together.
Thisisa pen
Thesearepens
Thatismy car
Thosearemy keys
Beyond Distance
Other jobs for the four words
The four words do more than point at things — they point at time, phone calls, and stories. Here are the bonus uses.