The Comprehensive Guide to Using “This,” “That,” “These,” and “Those” Effectively

The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to the usage of demonstrative pronouns and determiners like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” These words play a crucial role in referring to people, things, and ideas, and understanding their proper usage is essential for effective communication. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the grammatical specifications, usage patterns, and practical examples to help you master the art of using these demonstrative words with confidence.

Demonstrative Pronouns and Determiners

The primary distinction between “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” lies in their singular or plural form, as well as their proximity to the speaker.

• This and that are singular demonstratives, while these and those are their plural counterparts.
• This and these are used to refer to things that are close to the speaker, while that and those are used for things that are at a distance.

This understanding of the singular-plural and proximity-based differences is the foundation for the proper usage of these demonstrative words.

Usage with Nouns

When used with nouns, “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” function as demonstrative determiners, providing additional information about the noun they modify.

Demonstrative	Example
This	This book is interesting.
That	That car is expensive.
These	These shoes are comfortable.
Those	Those flowers are beautiful.

The choice of demonstrative depends on the number (singular or plural) and the proximity (close or distant) of the noun being referenced.

Usage without Nouns

Demonstrative pronouns can also be used without accompanying nouns when the context is clear. In such cases, the demonstrative pronoun stands alone, referring to the object or person being discussed.

Demonstrative	Example
This	What do you think about these? (pointing to trousers)
That	I’ve never seen Uncle Bob in trousers like those.

The context, often aided by gestures or the surrounding conversation, helps the listener understand the specific referent of the demonstrative pronoun.

Time and Distance

The demonstratives “this” and “that” can also be used to refer to time and physical distance, in addition to their use with nouns.

Time Reference:
– This is a good film. (we’re watching it now)
– That was a good film. (we saw it in the past)

Physical Distance:
– This market is amazing. (I’m in the market)
– That market looks amazing. (it’s at some distance away from me)

The use of “this” and “that” in these contexts helps to establish the temporal or spatial relationship between the speaker and the object or event being referenced.

Introductions and Phone Language

The demonstrative “this” is commonly used in introductions and on the phone to establish the identity of the speaker.

• Hi, this is Tim.
• Juliette, this is Marc.

The use of “this” in these situations helps to clearly identify the speaker and initiate the conversation.

Emotional Distance

Demonstratives can also be used to create a sense of emotional distance or detachment. The choice of “this,” “these,” “that,” or “those” can convey the speaker’s attitude or feelings towards the subject.

• I love these new woollen mobile phone covers.
• What are you going to say to that sister of yours?

The use of “these” in the first example suggests a more positive, endearing attitude, while “that” in the second example creates a sense of emotional distance or detachment.

Shared Knowledge and New Information

The demonstrative “that” can be used instead of “the” to refer to shared knowledge or information that is already known to the listener.

• What are you going to say to that sister of yours?

In this example, the use of “that” implies that the listener is already aware of the speaker’s sister, creating a sense of shared understanding.

Examples

To further illustrate the usage of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” let’s consider some additional examples:

• This is work you know! (referring to the current task or situation)
• That was a great concert. (referring to a past event)
• This is my new watch. (referring to a nearby object)
• Those are my sisters Anna and Jenny. (referring to distant people)
• That man is very strange. (referring to a person at a distance)
• These dogs are big. (referring to nearby dogs)

These examples demonstrate the versatility of these demonstrative words and how they can be used to refer to a wide range of people, things, and ideas.

Exercises and Practice

To reinforce your understanding of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” try the following exercises:

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun:
2. _____ book is interesting.
3. I’ve never seen Uncle Bob in trousers like _____.
4. _____ market looks amazing.

5. _____ are my new woollen mobile phone covers.

6. Identify the correct usage of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” in the following sentences:

7. “This is work you know!”
8. “I love those new woollen mobile phone covers.”
9. “What do you think about these?” (pointing to trousers)
10. “That was a great concert.”

Regular practice with these types of exercises will help you develop a deeper understanding of the nuances in using demonstrative pronouns and determiners effectively.

Reference Links

1. Cambridge Dictionary: This, That, These, Those
2. YouTube Video: This, That, These, Those – Demonstrative Pronouns
3. Test-English.com: This, That, These, Those