Use in English the or these. Demonstrative pronouns This, That, These and Those

What is the difference between this and that in English?

Here you can find out what is the difference between the words this and that.

The English language has many pronouns that serve different roles. This and that are demonstrative pronouns. They indicate a certain object and its distance.

For example, the pronoun this is used with an object located nearby, and the pronoun that with an object located far away. Let's look at this with examples:

I'd like to buy this dress. - I would like to buy this dress.
Look at that scenery. It's absolutely stunning. - Look at that landscape. He's amazing.
Don't touch this big black box. - Don't touch this big black box.
Do you like that jacket? - Do you like that jacket?

As can be seen from the examples, this indicates the proximity of objects, and that indicates distance. Both pronouns have plural forms:

this - these (this - these)
that - those (that - those)

These clothes are mine. - Are these things mine?
Can you see those stars? - Do you see those stars?

The words this and that There are other functions too. This can easily replace the pronoun it:
It is a red clock. = This clock is red. - This watch is red.

That can sometimes replace the pronoun which:
I saw the camera which you bought. = I saw the camera that you bought. - I saw the camera you bought.

The pronoun that is often used in harsh statements, fixed expressions and other emotionally charged phrases. For example:

That’s none of your business! - This doesn't concern you!
That's why you chose to skip my lesson. - So that's why you chose not to come to my lesson.
Never mind. That's all right. - Don't worry. Everything is fine.
That's just what he suggested. - That's exactly what he suggested.

• What is the difference between pronouns this and it in English.
• Features of use this and it in an English sentence.
• Difference this and it with examples of use.

Anyone learning English using an audio course VoxBook, which is based on fiction without simplifying the text, I should be interested in in what case they are used this and it, and how they differ in sentences similar to the following:

This is a pen.
It is a pen.

This is a demonstrative pronoun and is translated: this, this, this.
It is a personal pronoun and is translated: he, she, it, his, her, him, her.
In some cases the pronoun it is indicative in nature, and is translated in the same way as this in a word: This.

Let's look at the difference between it and this in English:

IT	THIS
It- used to return to things or situations that were just written or spoken about, i.e. to known things or situations. Replaces a noun meaning inanimate object or animals (when its gender is unknown). It- does not place any emphasis on a thing or situation without indicating the position of the subject.	This or that- used to define something with special emphasis. Also drives a new one not previously known fact in conversation or writing. This- places the main emphasis on the word “this”, one might say points with a finger at a specific object located nearby. That - “that” indicates a specific object that is far away. This pencil is mine. This is my pencil. That pencil is yours. That pencil is yours. This is my pencil and that is yours. This is my pencil, and this one is yours.
	Indicates a Noun:
It will merge the laptop OS with the iPad and iPhone OS. Apple is about to release a new operating system. It will combine the laptop OS with the iPad and iPhone OS.	Apple is going to release a new operating system. This will be a huge step in merging the laptop OS with the iPad and iPhone OS. Apple is about to release a new operating system. This will be a huge step in combining laptop OS with iPad and iPhone OS.
(It- refers to the preceding noun: operating system, replacing it.)	(This- refers to the preceding noun: operating system, underlining it.)
He looked round, and, see! the book was unfastened [he looked around and saw! (that) the book was unlocked] ; ...The boy rushed to it [the boy hurried towards her] and unclosed volume [and opened the volume] . It was written with red and black ink [it was written "with" in red and black ink] , and much of it he could not understand [and much of it he could not understand]; (English Fairy Tales - "The Master And His Pupil")	So they went along, and they went along, and they went along, [they “walked alongside/forward” and...] till they came to a narrow and dark hole [until they came to a narrow and dark hole] . Now this was the door of Foxy-woxy"s cave [so this was the door of Foxy-voxie's closet/cave] . But Foxy-woxy said to Henny-penny, Cocky-locky, Ducky-daddles, Goosey-poosey, and Turkey-lurkey: [but Foxy-woxy said "to" Henny-penny, Cocky-locky, Ducky-doodles, Goosey-pusey] "This is the short way to the king's palace [this "is" a shortcut to the royal palace] ... (English Fairy Tales - "Henny-Penny")
(It- replaces a noun book And volume.)	(This- emphasizes the preceding noun hole And cave; this particular hole.)	Indicates the situation:	Indicates the situation:
It Another employee lost a prototype of the future iPhone. This became the basis for an official search for the missing phone.	Another employee has lost an iPhone prototype. This set off an official search for the missing phone. Another employee lost a prototype of the future iPhone. This was the basis for the official search for the missing phone.
(It- refers to the situation from the previous sentence.)	(This- emphasizes the situation of the previous sentence.)
...but what it struck eight o"clock [but as “it” struck eight o’clock: to strike - to strike;] , when Bang, bang [when Boom, boom] went one of the largest man-of-war vessels [one of the big warships came] ; and it made Jack jump out of bed [and this made/caused Jack to jump out of bed: jump out - jump out] to look through the window [to look "through" = out the window]; (English Fairy Tales - "Jack and his Golden Snuff-box")	and Jack, when she was not standing by [and Jack when she wasn't standing nearby], cut off Lucifer's head [cuts off Lucifer's head] and brought it under his invisible coat to his master [and brought her under his invisibility jacket to his master] , who the next morning pulled it out by the horns before the lady [who the next morning pulled her out by the horns in front of the lady] . This broke the enchantment [this broke the spell] and the evil spirit left her [And evil spirit left her] , and she appeared in all her beauty [and she appeared in all her beauty]. (English Fairy Tales - " Jack the Giant Killer")
(It- refers to the situation in the sentence.)	(This- emphasizes the situation.)

In the VoxBook audio course, sentences with the words this and it are often found. The article examines only some of these examples. After studying the audio course, you will be able to translate, correctly pronounce and use this and it, as well as other phrases in any text or conversation.

Interlinear translation of the audio course will greatly speed up the memorization of new words. Competent and correct speech The native speakers who have narrated the VoxBook audio course guarantee that you will receive perfect pronunciation.

Thanks to the VoxBook audio course, you will achieve wonderful, outstanding results in learning English, even those that seem impossible to you. All this is due to the fact that you were simply curious, installing the VoxBook audio course on your computer, and having installed the audio course, you were smart enough to understand what it promises you in the future.

Difference between this and it - examples of use.

1. This introduces the concept into conversation It continues the conversation about the previously introduced concept. It replaces the introduced concept and is used to avoid repeating the word.

   This is a road. This is the road. (Introduces the concept into the conversation)
   It is a good road. This good road. (continues)
   ....
   Look at this tree. Look at this tree. (Introduces the concept into the conversation)
   It is full of fruit. It is full of fruits. (continues)
   ....
   This is a nice house. This nice house. (Introduces the concept into the conversation)
   It is neat add clean. He is neat and clean. (continues)
   

   "I will lay down some money for him, from my own purse [I'll shell out some money for him, from my own wallet]"; but her father told her [but her father told her] : "This will not do, for it must be something of his own [this “will not do” = will not do, for it must be something of his own] ."

   (English Fairy Tales - "Whittington And His Cat")

   (First time this, next time it.)

2. Unlike the word it, this can be used as a definition and can appear immediately before a noun.
   For example:
   

   is good. This book is good.
   But..., that is, it cannot be placed immediately before book. While this is possible, compare:

   Is a good thing. This book is good.
   is a good. This is a good book.
   

3. Pronoun it can be used in intensifying sentences as a formal subject, as an intensifying and is usually translated by the words exactly, this, just.
   

   Answer to the question Who's there? when knocking on the door: It's me, Jon! Me. / It's me, John.
   Answer during roll call: It "s me (I) I am. / Here. / Present.
   

   Home came the giant [a giant came home] , and a great big tree in his hand [and huge big tree in his hand], and he took down the sack [and he “took down” = lowered the bag], and began to batter it [and started hitting him]. His wife cried [the wife screamed], " It's me, man[it's me, husband] "; but the dog barked [but the dog barked] and the cat mewed [and the cat meowed] , and he did not know his wife's voice [and he didn't recognize his wife's voice] .

   (English Fairy Tales - "Molly Whuppie")

4. Another significant difference is that the pronoun it used in impersonal sentences as a formal subject that is not translated. For example:
   

   It's five past twelve. The time is five minutes past twelve.
   It is two o'clock. Two hours.
   It's rains. It's raining.
   It is cold. Cold.
   It is warm. Warm.
   It's hot. Hot.
   It's winter. Winter.
   It is spring. Spring.
   It is getting dark. It's getting dark.
   It was interesting to read this article. It was interesting to read this article.
   

Take a look at an example of an impersonal sentence from the VoxBook audio course and its translation. The audio course uses word-by-word translation, so the word It is translated, but placed in quotation marks, which means “translation of the word as it is.” Such a translation must either be omitted, as in the example below, or replaced with a translation after the equal sign, as in the examples above.

One day the rose-tree flowered [one day “rose-tree”= the rose bloomed: one day - once; once upon a time;] . It was spring ["it" was spring] and there among the flowers was a white bird [and there was a white bird among the flowers]; and it sang, and sang [and she sang and sang], and sang like an angel out of heaven [and sang like an angel from heaven]. Away it flew [she flew away]...

(English Fairy Tales - "The Rose Tree")

Conclusions:

1.	This- introduces a new one, and it- a well-known fact in discussion.
2.	This- used if you need to point to a specific object in the field of view or highlight this object against the background of other objects
3.	Pronouns this- indicating a person, object, event or action close in place or close in time.
4.	This- used as a definition and stands before a noun.
5.	Pronoun it- usually refers to an inanimate thing, or is used in relation to a person, thing, idea, taken in the abstract.
6.	It- can be a substitute word for a previously mentioned noun and act as a subject or object.
7.	It- used in impersonal sentences as a formal subject, not translated into Russian.
8.	It- used in intensifying sentences as a subject.

This, that, these, those are demonstrative or demonstrative pronouns in English. As a rule, this, that, these and those are used to indicate a specific object, creature or phenomenon. When should you use these pronouns? What is their difference? Read more in the article.

Basic rules

So, the rule about this, that, these and those indicates: in English speech these words can serve not only as pronouns, but also as determiners. Consider the following table.

It's also worth noting that these is the plural form of this, and those is the plural form of that.

Thus, this and that should be used with singular nouns, and these and those should be used with plural nouns.

Using the pronouns this, that, these and those: rule

The first thing to remember is that we use this and that with uncountable nouns as well as singular nouns.

Try to repeat this exercise every morning and evening.

What does this music make you think.

I’ve never been to that part of France.

Can I have some of that juice, please?

• Try to repeat this exercise every morning and evening.
• What does this music make you think about?
• I've never been to this part of France.
• Can I have some of this juice please?

The English rule about this, that, these and those indicates that these and those should be used exclusively with plural nouns:

You can use any one of these computers.

I need to paint those windows.

• You can use any of these computers.
• I need to paint those windows.

Interestingly, according to the rules of the English language, this, that, these and those are used in the context of time.

Demonstrative pronouns and tenses

For example, we often use this with words that describe time and date (morning, afternoon, evening, week, month, year).

In this case, it is important to refer to the time in which the speaker directly speaks, or the time that is coming. For example:

I'll be with you some time this evening.

Johan seemed very happy this afternoon.

Ian is in Germany all this week.

• I'll be with you tonight.
• Johan seemed very happy this afternoon.
• Jan is in Germany this week.

This, that, these, those are the rules for using as pronouns further.

This, that, these, those - pronouns

We use the above words as pronouns when referring to things or phenomena:

Put the butter, chocolate and sugar in a saucepan. Heat this over a low flame until it melts.

Add the butter, chocolate and sugar to the pan. Heat it (this/container with the mixture) over low heat until the ingredients melt.

What color are those? Black or dark blue. I can't see.

What color are they? Black or blue. I don't understand.

It is acceptable to use this and that if you want to refer to a person:

Linda, this is my mother, Anne.

Is that your brother over there?

• Linda, this is my mother, Ann.
• Is that your brother there?

Demonstrative pronouns are often used in telephone conversations.

Hello, is that Ken Orm? This is Jane Bromham here.

Hello, is this Ken Orme? This is Jane Bromham calling.

Use cases of this and these, that and those

In many ways, the selection of the correct pronoun is determined by the physical proximity of the object/person/phenomenon to the speaker. Those and these, this, that and the writing rules are presented in the following examples:

Translation: Should I use this knife?

I'll post these letters on my way home.

Translation: I will send these letters on the way home.

We use that and those to refer to things and people that are not easily identified in a particular situation.

They are often further away from the speaker, and sometimes closer to the listener:

What's in that bottle over there?

Could you blow out those candles near you?

• What's in that bottle over there?
• Can you blow out those candles next to you?

Sometimes they are not in the field of view of either the listener or the speaker:

Budapest! That's my favorite place!

Translation: Budapest! My favorite place!

Emotional meaning

Oddly enough, in the rule about this, that, those and these and the use of these pronouns, the speaker’s attitude towards them plays an important role. So, we use this and these when thinking about positive things that we like to think about.

I love these new blue walls.

We use that and those to point out things that don't make us feel good.

(talking about the restaurant) I didn’t like the decoration. It had those awful paintings.

I didn't like the decor. There (in the restaurant) these terrible pictures hung.

Generally known information

We sometimes use that instead of the to direct the listener to commonly known information. For example, when telling a story or explaining something, we might say:

Do you know that old shop on the corner? Well, they’re going to turn it into a restaurant.

You know that old corner store? Basically, they're going to turn it into a restaurant.

It is also acceptable to use this instead of the indefinite article a/an if the speaker is referring to something important or relevant, or is going to introduce a new person or mention something new.

This guy knocked on the door and asked if I wanted new windows.

Then suddenly she pulled out this big pile of papers from her briefcase and threw them on the table.

• This guy knocked on the door and asked if I wanted new windows.
• Suddenly she pulled one out of her pocket big pile papers and threw it on the table.

What other uses of this, that, those, these are there?

Replacement

In the context of formal speech, it is acceptable to use the demonstrative pronouns that and those as substitutes in the meaning of the one(s), in order to avoid lexical repetitions.

The most important information is that given at the beginning of the manual.

The most important information- this is the (information) given at the beginning of the manual.

IN in this case that replaces the word information.

The methods employed are those familiar to researchers. (sounds more formal than The methods employed are the ones familiar to researchers.)

The methods used are those(methods) that are familiar to the researchers.

In the context of formal writing and speaking, especially in academic style, we use that of/those of instead of the one of/the ones of. The use of demonstrative pronouns in this case is preferable.

The proton has a similar mass to that of a neutron

A proton has a mass similar to the mass of a neutron. In this case we can see that the word mass has been replaced by the construction that of.

The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.

Translation: The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.

It should be noted that in English the demonstrative pronoun that can be used exclusively as a substitute for a thing or object. This pronoun is not used in relation to animals, people and other living beings. Consider the following dialogue.

B: The one who works at the town hall, or his brother?

You can't say: That who works at the town hall.

A: Have you met Mr. Kelly?

Q: The one who works at the town hall, or his brother?

A: The one who works at the town hall.

However, the use of this plural demonstrative pronoun as a substitute for people and animals is permitted. For example:

There are sports facilities for guests.Those interested in golf can enjoy our course.

There are sports facilities for guests. Those who are interested in golf can enjoy our course.

Greetings, everyone! Today we'll talk about the basics. We will tell you the difference between “this / that” and “these / those”, explain their meaning, give clear examples and decorate it all with a final table with the difference.

It's time to dispel doubts and find out the difference in order to be 200% confident in using one of the most common words in English.

This and That

The main difference is distance of the object from the speaker.

You need to use " this"[ðɪs] - this / this / this, when the object is close to the speaker (he is holding it in his hands, for example), and " that» [ðæt] - that / that / that when it is at a distance or outside the field of view of the speaker or listener.

This is my cat (pointing at a cat on my lap).
This my cat (pointing to him on her lap).

That is his dog (pointing at a dog beside some stranger on the street).
Ta his dog (pointing to the dog next to the stranger on the street).

Note that tense will also affect the use of "this" and "that" as demonstrative pronouns.

If something happened in the past, use " that" would be more appropriate. Although in Russian we still say “this”.

You can, of course, say “that”, but it will sound suspiciously strange. There is no need for clarification, which cannot be said about English.

He didn't die yet. That made me think.
He's not dead yet. This got me thinking.

On the other hand, if the event has not yet occurred, then the appropriate form would be " this».

She won't go to church tomorrow. This is quite strange.
She won't go to church tomorrow. This quite strange.

It’s surprising that Americans, when they pick up the phone, usually say: “ Who is this?", and the British - " Who is that?».

Usually we use " that", speaking about things, but not about people or animals:

Right: - Have you met Mr. Rogers? - The one with the stupid haircut or silly mustache?
Wrong: That who has stupid haircut?

These and Those

In a formal context, especially in scientific work, when talking about the similarity of something, we use " that of / those of" instead of "the one of / the ones of".

The proton has a similar mass to that of a neutron.
A proton has a similar mass to a neutron proton.

The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.
The emotions in the poems reflect loss and grief.

How to use these pronouns

• In the role defining word:

What's in this bag?
That whiskey tastes strange.
I might get myself a pair of those Nikes.

• In the role pronouns(meaning things or ideas):

Come and look at this.
That's a very bad idea.
Can I have one of these?

Uses of this and that

Emotional distance

Sometimes we use this, that, these and those to refer to things that make us happy.

For example, you can use " this/these”, referring to something we approve of or feel positive about.

I love this new woolen smartphone cover that you can get.
I like this new wool phone case, which you can get.

We use " that/those” to create distance.

What are you going to say to that friend of yours?
What are you going to say that friend of mine?

We use " those", talking about objects inside the room where we were.

I didn't like his house. It had those awful paintings.
I didn't like his house. It contained those terrible pictures.

Knowledge sharing and new information

Often this happens when we are telling a story or explaining something.

You know that waterfall in the forest nearby? Well, they're gonna privatize it.
You know That waterfall in the forest nearby? Well, they're going to privatize it.

« This" is sometimes used instead of "a/an" when we are referring to something important or recent, or when introducing someone to a new person or thing in our history.

This guy today knocked on the door and asked if I wanted to talk about God.
This the guy knocked on the door and asked if I wanted to talk about God.

Physical proximity and distance

We use " this", And " these» most often, pointing to things and people that are close to the speaker or writer, or to what is happening in at the moment.

Shall I use this knife here?
I should take advantage this with a knife?
I'll post these letters on my way home.
I'll throw it in these letters to the post office on the way home.

We use " that" And " those”, pointing out things and people that are not easily identified in a situation. They are often located at a distance from the speaker, and sometimes closer to the listener.

What's in that bottle over there?
What's in it that bottle there?

Sometimes things are not visible to either the speaker or the listener.

Death Star! That's my favorite star!
Death Star! This my favorite star!

Useful expressions and phrases

That's it- exclamation when solving a problem: “that’s all!”; in the role of agreement: “yes, right”, “exactly!”, “whoa!”, “period!; in the role of the final remark in an unambiguous plan: “that’s it!”, “that’s enough!”, “dry the oars!”; interrogative meaning in the sense of “that’s all?”, “oh well?”.

That's it! I"m not putting up with any more of her rudeness!
That's it! I won't tolerate her rudeness anymore!
That's it, it is working now.
That's all! Now it works.

That's alright(that's ok) - both expressions can be used to express forgiveness.

- Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
-That's ok.
- Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
- Everything is fine.

That's right is one of the most popular answers in English. Says that you agree or confirm someone else's words.

Translations: exactly like that, right, exactly, absolutely, just about, like that.

- You must be one lucky son of a b*tch, right?
- You must be a lucky son of a bitch, huh?
- That's right, I am. What?
- That's right. What?

And others:

this one time only(this once, just for once) - only 1 time;
this one is still kicking- this one is still alive;
this one is as good as any- this one is no better than any other;
this side of the Black Stump- on “this side” (where there is water, trees, life);
this said- at the same time (despite the fact that ...), everything said means that ... ;
this and that- this and that; bench stoves;
those against?- who is against?;
those abstaining- abstained from voting;
those and those ones- both;
those are her days- on these days she receives (guests, for example).
Is this one taken?- Is it busy/free here?;
What's all this/that about?- What kind of news is this!; Here's more news!;
This is it!- Here it is!; This is what I was looking for!; This is a critical moment!; Fine!; Right!; That's the point!

Table: Difference between this/these and that/those

	This/These	That/That
Meaning		Pronouns and modifier.
Use	1) With people and objects near the speaker or listener in singular/plural. 2) To introduce someone. Jane, this is Tom. 3) Speaking about close time periods. We are going to the USA this summer (this winter, this week, this year). 4) Referring to what will happen in the future, to what has not yet happened, or to what we are going to say or do. I don’t really like to say this, but the service here is awful. 5) Referring to something important or recently happened, or when introducing someone a new person or thing in our This guy today knocked on the door and asked if I wanted to talk about God. 6) Speaking about things close in time or location to the speaker or happening at the moment. I love these long summer evenings. It's so bright at 10 p.m. still. 7) Referring to what we approve of or feel positive about. I love these new woolen smartphone covers that you can get.	1) With people and objects away from the speaker or listener in singular/plural. Do you want to sit down on that bench over there? 2) Talking about events in the past. That dinner we had last night was gorgeous. 3) Talking about what just happened. What was that? Did you hear it? 5) In a formal context, especially in scientific activities, talking about the similarity of something. The proton has a similar mass to that of a neutron. 6) Talking about objects inside the room where we were. I didn't like his house. It had those awful paintings. 7) To create a sense of distance. I don't like that/those new friend/friends of yours.

Conclusion

Let's summarize:

This/that- here & singular / there & singular.

These/those- Here & plural/ there & plural.

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Big and friendly EnglishDom family

The English pronouns this and these belong to the category of demonstrative pronouns. They have some common features, but at the same time, each of these words has its own peculiarities of use.

General information

Demonstrative pronouns allow you to place emphasis on something (objects, persons, periods of time, etc.), to point to objects. First, let's say what this and these, included in this category, mean.

This is understood as “this, this, this”: this orange – this orange.

These means “these”: these pictures – these pictures.

Typically, the pronouns in question are studied together with another pair of words from the named group: that (that) and those (those).

Comparison

A common feature for the two pronouns is that they are used to indicate objects that are nearby: this window is (not that) window, these windows are these (not those) windows. Proximity can be not only in space, but also in time:

Jim has been to the Zootwice this year. Jim has been to the zoo twice this year.

They never get time to travel these days. “They haven’t had the time to travel lately.”

Meanwhile, the difference between this and these is what number each of these pronouns corresponds to. This is used when reporting about one thing:

I want to buy this magazine. – I want to buy this magazine.

The use of these is associated with cases when speech contains information about several objects:

I want to buy these magazines. – I want to buy these magazines.

It should be noted that the function of the pronouns in question is ambiguous. It happens that they act as definitions for words, that is, they are pronouns-adjectives. In such cases, it is important not to forget about the approval rules. Namely: the noun related to this must be used, accordingly, in the singular, while these requires the placement of the noun associated with it in the plural.

Examples with adjective pronouns:

This table is big. - This table is big.

Write these words once more. – Write these words again.

Also, this and these can play the role of noun pronouns. Then they become subjects or other members of the sentence. What is the difference between this and these used in this sense? The fact is that when using the verb to be, the pronoun this corresponds to its form is, and pronoun these– form are.

Examples with noun pronouns:

This is my sister Jane. - This is my sister Jane.

These are birds. - These are birds.