Pointing at Things
These four words are called demonstratives. They help you point at things — whether they’re near or far, one thing or many. Think of them as a pointing finger in grammar.
THIS — near + singular
One thing close to you.
This is my phone. (in my hand)
THAT — far + singular
One thing far from you.
That is the Eiffel Tower. (over there)
THESE — near + plural
Multiple things close to you.
These are my keys. (in my hand)
THOSE — far + plural
Multiple things far from you.
Those are great shoes! (on the shelf)
The Grid
Near + 1 thing
THIS book
Far + 1 thing
THAT building
Near + 2+ things
THESE books
Far + 2+ things
THOSE buildings
Examples
This coffee is cold.
The coffee in front of me
That man over there is my uncle.
Man across the room
These apples look delicious.
Apples I’m holding
Those clouds look like rain.
Clouds in the sky, far away
✗ Wrong
These is my friend Tom.
One person = singular → this
✓ Correct
This is my friend Tom.
One person → this (near + singular)
💡 Memory Hack
Near/Far + S for plural
Two decisions, in order: 1) Near or far? Near → this/these. Far → that/those. 2) One or many? One → this/that. Many → these/those. Notice: these and those both end in a similar sound to the plural -s. That’s your cue — if it’s plural, you need the one with the “z” sound at the end.