This, that, these, those in English: demonstrative adjectives

In English, when pointing out something or someone, your choice of word depends on two simple factors. You need to know if there is one or multiple items, and whether they are near or far from the speaker. Here is how to correctly use the demonstrative adjectives this that these those.

Singular and near: This

The word this is used for a singular object, person, or idea. The item referred to must be near the speaker. This proximity can be physical or temporal.

Physical proximity

We use this when we can touch the object or when it is right next to us. Here are some concrete examples:

• This book is interesting. (The book is in the person’s hands.)
• Look at this cat. (The cat is right nearby.)
• This coffee is too hot. (The person is drinking the coffee.)

Temporal proximity

This is also used to talk about a present moment or a time very near in the future or past. We use it for the current day, the ongoing week, or an immediate situation:

• I am working this morning.
• We have a meeting this week.
• This is a difficult situation. (The situation is happening right now.)

Singular and far: That

The word that is also used in the singular. The difference from this is the distance. The item referred to is far from the speaker. This distance applies in both space and time.

Physical distance

We choose that to point out an object we cannot touch directly. The object is further away, across the room, or down the street:

• That house is beautiful. (The house is in the distance.)
• Who is that man? (The man is at a certain distance.)
• Pass me that pen, please. (The pen is out of reach.)

Temporal distance

That allows us to talk about a past moment. We use it to recall a memory or a bygone era:

• That day was amazing.
• I remember that summer.
• At that time, I was living in London.

Plural and near: These

When talking about multiple items near us, we use these. It is the plural of this. The rule of physical or temporal proximity remains exactly the same.

Multiple items within reach

If the objects or people are very close and plural, these is the appropriate word:

• These apples are delicious. (The apples are in the basket right there.)
• I bought these shoes yesterday. (The person is pointing to the shoes they are wearing.)
• These documents need a signature. (The documents are on the desk in front of the person.)

Plural proximity in time

We use these to talk about current periods in the plural:

• These days, everything is expensive.
• I am very busy these weeks.

Plural and far: Those

To point out multiple items that are far away, we choose those. It is the plural of that. The rule of spatial or temporal distance applies here in the plural.

Multiple distant items

When objects or people are far away, we use those:

• Look at those birds. (The birds are flying high in the sky.)
• Those boxes are heavy. (The boxes are across the hallway.)
• I don’t know those people. (The group of people is on the other side of the room.)

Plural distance in time

Those is used to evoke past periods in the plural:

• Those years were the best.
• In those days, we had no phones.

Summary of demonstrative determiners

Here is a clear summary to help you memorize the rule. The choice is made by combining number and distance.

The role of demonstrative pronouns

These words play two roles in a sentence. They can be demonstrative determiners or demonstrative pronouns. The meaning remains the same, only the sentence structure changes.

Use as a determiner

When the word accompanies a noun, it acts as a determiner. It is placed right before the noun it modifies. This is the case in most of the examples seen previously:

• This car is fast. (This accompanies car.)
• Those mountains are high. (Those accompanies mountains.)

Use as a pronoun

These words can be used alone to replace a noun. This avoids repeating the noun. They then take on the function of a demonstrative pronoun:

• This is my friend, Paul. (This replaces the person being introduced.)
• That is a good idea. (That replaces the idea just proposed.)
• These are my keys. (These replaces the objects being shown.)
• Are those your bags? (Those replaces the distant objects.)

Usage on the phone

English speakers use a specific rule to introduce themselves on the phone. We use this to talk about ourselves. We use that to ask for the identity of the person on the other end.

• To say “It’s Sarah” on the phone, we say: Hello, this is Sarah.
• To ask “Is this John?” or “Who is calling?”, we say: Is that John? or Who is that?

This rule applies only during phone calls or when knocking on a door without being seen.

Practical exercise

Test your knowledge by choosing the correct demonstrative: