“Wait… do I say this one or that one?”
If that question sounds familiar, congratulations — you’ve already started thinking like an English speaker!
These tiny words — this, that, these, and those — sneak into almost every conversation. We use them when showing something, pointing at something, or just trying to sound clear and natural.
But here’s the secret: they’re not difficult at all. You already use them in your language every day — you just need to know how they work in English.
So, take a quick look around you. What’s near you? What’s far away? By the end of this article, you’ll be able to describe them all — easily and confidently.
1. What Are Demonstratives?
Demonstratives are words we use to point to or show people and things.
They tell us which one we’re talking about — the one close to us or the one far away.
There are only four:
👉 This, That, These, and Those
Even though they’re small, they’re powerful. They help make your sentences clear and specific.
2. Understanding Each Demonstrative
Now let’s look at what each word means — one by one.
A.This
Meaning:
We use this when we talk about one thing that is close to us — something we can touch or hold.
Examples:
This is my phone.
This is a cup of coffee.
This is my friend.
Tip:
👉 Use this for singular (one) things near you.
If it’s right in your hand, this is the right choice.
B. That
Meaning:
We use that when we talk about one thing that is far from us — something we can point to, but not touch.
Examples:
That is my car over there.
That is a tall building.
That is my school.
Tip:
👉 Use that for singular (one) things far away.
If you have to point at it, it’s that.
C. These
Meaning:
We use these when we talk about more than one thing that is close to us — things we can touch or show nearby.
Examples:
These are my books.
These are my keys.
These are my shoes.
Tip:
👉 Use these for plural (many) things near you.
If they’re right beside you, say these.
D. Those
Meaning:
We use those when we talk about more than one thing that is far away — things we can only point to.
Examples:
Those are my friends over there.
Those are mango trees.
Those are beautiful houses.
Tip:
👉 Use those for plural (many) things far away.
If you can only see them at a distance, it’s those.
3. Quick Comparison Table
💡 Memory Trick:
If you can touch it, use this or these.
If you can only point to it, use that or those.
4. Practice in Real Life
Let’s practice using these words naturally:
Look around your room.
Say five sentences with this / these.
Say five sentences with that / those.
Example:This is my notebook.
- These are my pens.
- That is my bag.
- Those are my shoes.
💡 Practice this daily for a week — it’ll soon feel effortless.
Final Thoughts
You’ve just learned one of the easiest yet most useful grammar topics — Demonstratives!
They help make your English sound clear, confident, and natural.
Once you start noticing them in daily life, you’ll see how often you use them — in every conversation.
So, look around and start describing what you see:
- This is your moment.
- That is your progress.
- These are your steps forward.
- Those are your goals waiting ahead. 🌟
You’ve Learned the Rule — Now Let’s Make It Speak!
You know how to use this, that, these, and those — now let’s use them like a fluent speaker. Join Aksent’s English for Beginners Course — your first step toward confident, natural English communication.
