This - That - These -Those

English Grammar Notes - Demonstratives

This, That, These, Those are called demonstratives and they are used to show the relative distance between the speaker and the noun.

Demonstrative Pronouns

We use this (singular) and these (plural) to refer to something that is here / near.

Examples:

We use that (singular) and those (plural) to refer to something that is there / far.

Examples:

Note that the verb changes (i.e. singular / plural) depending on the pronoun that you use.

You can also use Demonstrative Pronouns by themselves:


Demonstrative Adjectives

You can also use demonstratives before a noun. These are called demonstrative adjectives.

The Demonstrative Adjective needs to agree (= be the same form) as the noun.

Examples of demonstrative adjectives:

Summary - What is the difference between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns use the same words. The easiest way to know that difference is that Demonstrative Adjectives are always before a noun while Demonstrative Pronouns are before a verb or by themselves.

Everything else is the same. For example, both Demonstrative Ajectives and Pronouns use the word THIS (singular) to talk about something that is close to you and the plural of THIS is THESE.


Present vs. Past

If an action is near in time we tend to use this / these.
If an action has finished or is in the past we use that / those.

Examples:

This is

The expression this is is commonly used when you talk on the phone or you introduce people.

Examples:

Summary Chart

This, That, These, Those - Demonstratives in English

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