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Differences of the four words This That These Those in English

This That These Those are common demonstrative words in English. Let’s explore their meanings, usage, and differences with PREP below!

Differences of 4 words This That These Those in English

I. What is This?
II. What is That?
III. What is These?
IV. What is Those?
V. Difference between This That These Those
VI. English exercises This That These Those
1. 1. Exercise
2. 2. Answer

I. What is This?

This is pronounced /ðɪs/ and acts as a determiner, pronoun, adverb, adjective, and exclamation, meaning: used for a person, object, idea, etc. to show which one is referred to (close distance).

Usage	Example
Determiner	This book is very interesting.
Pronoun	This is my favorite movie.
Adverb	The solution is this simple.
Adjective	If you wear the scarf like this, it will look better.
Exclamation	This! This is what I’ve been looking for!
Time description (+morning, afternoon, evening, week, month, year)	I’ll be with you this evening.
This can replace "a/an" to refer to something important recently or to introduce a new person/thing in a story.	This guy knocked on the door and asked if I wanted a new newspaper.

Idioms/phrases with This:

Idioms/phrases with This	Meaning	Example
This is ...	To introduce a person	Harry, this is Joan.
By this time	already	I thought you'd be done by this time.
This minute/second	now or a very short time ago	It doesn’t have to be done this minute, but it should be done before lunch.
In this day and age	at the present time	You can't afford to run businesses inefficiently in this day and age.
This side of something	before reaching a particular age, date, place, etc.	I can't believe Anna's this side of 50.
This ... lark	a way of referring to an activity or a situation that you do not take seriously	I don't really think I'm suited to this marriage lark.
This and that	various things	What were you talking about? - Oh, this and that.
This baby	something such as a device, vehicle, or product, especially one that you approve of or find impressive in some way	The phone is enormous — you can't slip this baby into your handbag.

II. What is That?

That is pronounced /ðæt/ and acts as a determiner, conjunction, pronoun, adverb, and adjective, meaning: used to refer to a person, object, idea, etc. that is separated from the speaker by space or time.

Usage	Example
Determiner	I don’t like that color.
Pronoun	That is a great idea!
Adverb	The test was not that difficult.
Adjective	If Sarah could play piano like that every day, she’d be a star.
Conjunction	Anna said that she would arrive late.
That can replace "the" to specify the object being referred to.	You know that old shop on the corner? Well, they’re going to turn it into a restaurant.

Idioms with That:

Idioms with That	Meaning	Example
... at that	in addition to that	Maria’s not only a talented musician but a great cook at that.
that is (to say)	or more exactly	Our friends, that is to say our son's friends, will meet us at the airport.
that will do	said to mean that you do not want any more of something	You don’t need to make any more changes; that will do.
that's it	used to say that something has ended/something is correct	I’ve explained everything I know about the project. That’s it.
that's that	an expression that shows that something has ended	I’ve made my decision, and that’s that. There’s no more discussion.
that’s life	said after something bad or unlucky has happened, to express your feeling that such events will sometimes happen and have to be accepted; you have to accept what happens, even if it is not exactly what you wanted	I didn’t get the job I wanted, but that’s life. I’ll keep trying.
that's more like it	used to show that you think something or someone has improved	The new design looks much better. That’s more like it!
that beats everything	used to express great surprise	I’ve never seen anything like it before. That beats everything!
that did it!	said when someone or something has caused damage or a difficulty	When John forgot our anniversary again, that did it! I’m really upset now.
that does it!	said when someone or something goes further than the limit of what is acceptable	If you’re late again, that does it! I’m going to find a new company.
that is to say ...	or more exactly	We need to finish the report by Friday, that is to say, we need to work extra hours this week.

III. What is These?

These is pronounced /ðiːz/ and serves as a determiner, pronoun. Are This and These used the same? These is the plural form of This.

Usage	Example
Determiner	I found these photos while I was cleaning out my cupboards.
Pronoun	Do you think this jacket looks a bit funny with these trousers?

Idiom with These:

Idiom with These	Meaning	Example
these days	used to talk about the present time, in comparison with the past	Vegetarianism is very popular these days.
one of these days	some time in the near future	You're going to get into serious trouble one of these days.
these parts	used to refer to an area of the country	We don't see many foreigners in these parts.
check this, these, it, etc. out!	used to bring someone's attention to something that you think is interesting, impressive, useful, etc.	Check out these cool new looks and let me know which outfit is your favourite!

IV. What is Those?

Those is pronounced /ðoʊz/ and serves as a determiner, pronoun. Those is the plural form of "That."

Usage	Example
Determiner	Can I help you with those bags?
Pronoun	In those days it was considered not quite proper for young ladies to be seen talking to men in public.
Used to refer to a group of people/animals	There are sports facilities for guests, those interested in golf.

Idioms with Those:

Idioms with Those	Meaning	Example
those were the days	something you say that means life was better at the time in the past that you are talking about	Remember when we used to go camping every summer? Ah, those were the days.
those whom the gods love die young	sometimes said when someone has died young	It’s such a tragedy that he passed away so young; I guess those whom the gods love die young.
in those days	in the past	In those days, people didn’t have smartphones or the internet.
one of those days	a bad day, full of problems	I forgot my keys and missed the bus. It was just one of those days.
just one of those things	said to mean that there was no way of planning to avoid something	The concert was canceled due to bad weather. It’s just one of those things.

V. Difference between This That These Those

When to use This That These Those? Let’s quickly distinguish the difference between This That These Those with PREP below!

Difference between This That These Those	Definition	Usage	Example
This	Used for a person, object, idea, etc. to show which one is referred t Used with singular nouns (countable and uncountable).	Used to refer to things that are near.	I love this book.
These	Used with plural nouns. These is the plural form of This.	Used to refer to things that are near.	I love these books.
That	Used to refer to a person, object, idea, etc. that is separated from the speaker by space or time Used with singular nouns (countable and uncountable).	Used to refer to things that are far from the speaker. That and Those can replace "the ones" for things that have been mentioned before. In formal or academic contexts, we use "that of/those of" instead of "one of/the ones of" or "the...one/the...ones."	I love that book. The most important information is that given at the beginning of the manual. The proton has a similar mass to that of a neutron.
Those	Used with plural nouns. Those is the plural form of That.		I love those books. The methods employed are those familiar to researchers. The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.

VI. English exercises This That These Those

To better understand the usage and differences between This That These Those, let’s complete the This That These Those exercises below with PREP!

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with This or That, These or Those

_______ book on the table is mine.
_______ are my friends. We’ve known each other for years.
_______ is the house where I grew up.
Can you pass me _______ pens over there?
_______ was a great movie. I enjoyed it a lot.
I need to buy _______ shoes. They look very stylish.
Do you remember _______ day we went to the beach?
_______ car in the parking lot is very old.
_______ are the cookies I baked yesterday.
_______ are the most challenging questions on the test.

Exercise 2: Find and correct the mistakes.

This book over there is on sale.
Can you see those stars in the sky?
I love this cookies; they are delicious!
That are my favorite songs on the playlist.
These is the report I wanted to show you.
I don’t like those weather in summer.
That’s the reason I’m late.
Look at this shoes; they’re very stylish.
These are very old movies; I remember watching them as a child.
That are my neighbors’ children.

2. Answer

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
This These That Those That These That That These These	This ➞ That ✅ This ➞ These That ➞ These These ➞ This Those ➞ That ✅ This ➞ Those ✅ That ➞ Those

Above, PREP has provided you with the concepts, usage, and differences of the demonstrative pronouns This That These Those. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and PREP will respond as soon as possible!

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