Learn This, That, These, Those: Pre-A1 English Grammar

Raúl Maguiña

Gründer von Langcom | Prüfer für Cambridge- und SIELE-Prüfungen

Juli 13, 2026

PRE-A1✏️ Grammar⏱️ 3 min read
This, that, these, and those are demonstrative words in English. They help us point to specific things or people. We use them to show if something is close to us or far away, and if it is one thing (singular) or many things (plural). Think of them like pointing with your finger!

Use this for one thing that is near you, like This is my book. Use these for many things that are near you, like These are my books.

Use that for one thing that is far from you, like That is your car. Use those for many things that are far from you, like Those are your cars. These words are essential for clear communication in English, helping you describe your surroundings accurately.

What are Demonstrative Words?

Demonstrative words help us show which person or thing we are talking about. They are like pointing words.

In English, the main demonstrative words are this, that, these, and those.

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When Do We Use This and These?

We use this und these for things that are near us.

  • Use this for one thing (singular) that is near.
  • Use these for many things (plural) that are near.

When Do We Use That and Those?

We use that und those for things that are not near us. They are far away.

  • Use that for one thing (singular) that is far.
  • Use those for many things (plural) that are far.
Summary of Demonstrative Words
Near Far
This (singular) That (singular)
These (plural) Those (plural)

Examples

  • This is my phone.
  • These are my keys.
  • That is your house.
  • Those are your friends.
  • Do you like this shirt?
  • Look at those birds!

Practice

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Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish has different words for “this” and “that” depending on how far something is. In English, we only have two main distances: near or far.

  • Mistake 1: Using this for plural things.

    In Spanish, you might say “estos libros” (these books). But in English, this is only for one thing.

    • This are my books. (Incorrect)
    • These are my books. (Correct)
  • Mistake 2: Confusing singular and plural.

    Remember to match the demonstrative word with the number of things.

    • Look at those car. (Incorrect, car is singular)
    • Look at that car. (Correct)
    • That are my shoes. (Incorrect, shoes is plural)
    • Those are my shoes. (Correct)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the difference between this and that?

This is for one thing near you. That is for one thing far from you.

What is the difference between these and those?

These is for many things near you. Those is for many things far from you.

Can I use this or that for people?

Yes, you can! For example, This is my friend, Maria. oder Who is that man?

Related lessons

Über den Autor: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña ist Leiter der Asociación Educativa Langcom, einem autorisierten Cambridge English-Vorbereitungszentrum in USA. Mit mehr als einem Jahrzehnt Erfahrung in der Sprachausbildung und der internationalen Zertifizierung hat er Tausenden von Schülern, Lehrern und Bildungseinrichtungen in 25 Ländern zu Cambridge-, IELTS-, TOEFL- und Michigan-Englischzertifikaten verholfen.

Erfahren Sie mehr über Langcom →.

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