This, that, these and those – English Grammar

15th October 2017

Do you want to know when to use ‘this‘, ‘that‘, ‘those‘ and ‘these‘ in English? Check our new #StudyTip lesson and learn about this grammar point.

This, that, these and those are called demonstratives.

We can use this (singular) and these (plural) to talk about things that are near to us.

We can use that (singular) and those (plural) to talk about things that are not near. 

This house is nice (singular, near)
That house is nice (singular, distant)
These houses are nice (plural, near)
Those houses are nice (plural, distant)

We can use this and these to talk about things that are happening now or starting now.

We can use that and those to talk about things that are finished.

I like this music.                                      Listen to these sentences.

That lesson was boring.                        Did you answer those letters yesterday?

Test your knowledge. Put in this, that, these, those.

1. I like liking in___ country.
2. Could you bring _____ box to me, please?
3. Why did you say___?
4. Who are ____ people over there?
5. Wait- I can’t walk fast in _____ shoes.
6. ____ is my sister Helen. “How do you do?”
7. I am not enjoying ____ conversation.
8. What are ____ birds on the roof?

Remember there are lots more grammar lessons like this on our blog.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson and come back for our new lesson next Sunday!