The difference between this and these. Demonstrative pronouns this, that, these, those in English
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 illustrative examples and decorate all this with a final table with a difference.
It's time to dispel doubts and find out the difference so that you can be 200% confident in using one of the most common words in the English language.
This and That
The main difference lies in the distance of the object from the speaker.
Need to use " this" [ðɪs] - this / this / this, when the object is close to the speaker (he holds it in his hands, for example), and " that» [ðæt] - that / that / that, when he is at a distance or out of sight of the speaker or listener.
This is my cat (pointing at a cat on my lap).
This is 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 a demonstrative pronoun.
If something happened in the past, use " that' would be more appropriate. Although in Russian we still say "it".
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 hasn't died yet. This is made me think.
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 is pretty weird.
It's amazing that Americans, when picking up the phone, usually say: Who is this?", and the British -" Who is that?».
We usually use " that", talking 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 activity, 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.
The proton has the same mass as the proton of the neutron.
The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.
Emotions in poetry reflect loss and grief.
How to use these pronouns
- Cast defining word:
What's in this bag?
That whiskey tastes strange.
I might get myself a pair of those Nikes.
- Cast pronouns(meaning things or ideas):
Come and look at this.
That's a very bad idea.
Can I have one of these?
Variants of using this and that
emotional distance
Sometimes we use this, that, these, and those to refer to something that makes us happy.
For example, you can use " this/these”, referring to what we approve of or have a positive attitude towards.
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 to that friend?
We use " those”, talking about the 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 tell a story or explain 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 story.
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, indicating things and people that are close to the speaker or writer, or what is happening at the moment.
Shall I use this knife here?
I should take advantage this knife?
I'll post these letters on my way home.
I will throw these letters to the post office on the way home.
We use " that" and " those”, pointing to things and people who are not easily identified in the situation. They are often at a distance from the speaker, and sometimes closer to the listener.
What's in that bottle over there?
What is it in toy bottle there?
Sometimes things are not visible to either the speaker or the listener.
Deathstar! That's my favorite star!
The Death Star! This is my favorite star!
Useful expressions and phrases
That's it- exclamation when solving a problem: “that's all!”; in the role of consent: “yes, right”, “exactly!”, “in-in!”, “and the point !; in the role of the final replica in an unambiguous plan: “well, that’s it!”, “everything, that’s enough!”, “dry the oars!”; interrogative meaning in terms of “is that all?”, “Yes, well?”.
That's it! I "m not putting up with any more of her rudeness!
Well everything! I will no longer tolerate her rudeness!
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.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
- Everything is good.
That's right is one of the most popular answers in English. Says that you agree or confirm other people's words.
Translations: just like that, right, exactly, absolutely, just about, so-and-so.
- You must be one lucky son of a b*tch, right?
- You must be a lucky son of a bitch, right?
- That's right, I am. What?
- Yes sir. 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 abstracting- those who abstained from voting;
those and that ones- those and those;
those are her days- on these days she receives (guests, for example).
This one taken?- Is it busy/free here?;
What's all this/that about?- What is this news!; Here's more news!;
This is it!- Here it is!; Here is what I was looking for!; This is a critical moment!; Good!; Correctly!; In fact of the matter!
| This/These | That/Those | |
| Meaning | Pronouns and defining word. | |
| Use | 1) With people and objects near the speaker or listener in the singular / plural. 2) To represent someone. 3) Speaking of close time periods. 4) Referring to what will happen in the future, what has not yet happened, or what we are going to say or do. 5) Referring to something important or recent, or when presenting someone with a new person or thing in our 6) Talking about things close in time or location to the speaker or happening at the moment. 7) Referring to what we approve of or have a positive attitude towards. |
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. 3) Talking about what just happened. 5) In a formal context, especially in scientific activities, talking about the similarity of something. 6) Talking about items inside the room where we were. 7) To create a sense of distance. |
Conclusion
Summarize:
This/that- here & singular / there & singular.
These/those- here & plural / there & plural.
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Big and friendly family EnglishDom
In terms of their purpose, demonstrative pronouns in English strongly resemble those used in Russian.
We also use different words to indicate objects that are near and far. At the same time, different pronouns are used for objects in the singular and in the plural.
We will present the correspondences of Russian and English pronouns as follows:
This item is this thing; these items are these things; that subject is that thing; those items are those things
Nevertheless, there are some differences, which consist in the special use of these pronouns when coordinating tenses and when comparing objects.
Let's start with how the demonstrative pronoun is used. this
This word is used to indicate an object that is within reach:
This orange is sour. This orange is sour.
It points to two or more objects near the speaker.
These oranges are still green. These oranges are green yet.
It is important not to confuse the pronunciation of these items. It must be remembered that the ending of the pronoun this sounds dull [ðɪs], and when pronouncing the word these, the ending is voiced [ði:z].
Consider demonstrative pronouns that
This word refers to a single object that is in the distance.
That orange hangs too high. That orange is hanging too high.
The word has a homonym which translates as "what" or "which" and should not be confused with a demonstrative pronoun.
I know that oranges are good for my health. I know that oranges are good for my health.
Finally, the demonstrative pronoun those
It, as you already understood, denotes several objects located at a distance. Perhaps these objects are no longer in your field of vision.
Those oranges were very sweet. Those oranges were very sweet.
Sharing the pronouns this, that and these, those
When we compare two objects that are within reach, we have to use two different pronouns, which is not the case in Russian:
This is a ripe orange, and this is green. This is a rape orange and that is a green one.
In plural it would look like this:
These are ripe oranges, and these are green. These are rape oranges and those are green.
We hope that you can easily complete the following table. They say that when you write down words or fill in a table with them, you remember them twice. We offer to write down pairs of phrases, rhyming them.
In conclusion, we will describe one very important feature of demonstrative pronouns when coordinating tenses during the transition from direct speech to indirect. In this case, the pronouns this and these become the words that and those:
John asked, “Give me this orange please”. John asked: "Give me this orange, please."
John asked to give him that orange. John asked to be given that orange.
John said, "These oranges seem to be too green". John said, "The oranges look too green."
John said that those oranges seemed to be too green. John said the oranges looked too green.
As you have noticed, in English, the words of the author in indirect speech pass into the past tense, and demonstrative pronouns are used to express remoteness.
This, that, these, those are demonstrative or demonstrative pronouns in English. Typically, this, that, these, and those are used to refer to a specific object, being, or phenomenon. When should these pronouns be used? What is their difference? Read more in the article.
Fundamental rules
So, the rule about this, that, these and those testifies: in English speech, these words can play the role of not only pronouns, but also 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 with plural nouns.
Using the pronouns this, that, these and those: the 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 have 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 only be used 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 time
So, for example, we often use this with words that describe time and date (morning, afternoon, evening, week, month, year).
It is important to refer to the time at which the speaker directly speaks, or the time that comes. For example:
I'll be with you some time this evening.
Johan seemed very happy this afternoon.
Ian is in Germany all this week.
- Tonight I will be with you.
- Johan seemed very happy this afternoon.
- Jan is in Germany this week.
This, that, these, those - the rule of using as pronouns further.
This, that, these, those - pronouns
We use the above words as pronouns, referring to things or phenomena:
Put the butter, chocolate and sugar in a saucepan. Heat this over a low flame until it melts.
Add butter, chocolate and sugar to a saucepan. Heat it (this/mixture container) over low heat until the food is melted.
What color are those? Black or dark blue. I can't see.
What color are they? Black or blue. I do not understand.
You can use this and that if you want to point 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?
Often demonstrative pronouns are used in telephone conversations.
Hello, is that Ken Orm? This is Jane Bromham here.
Hey, is this Ken Orme? It's Jane Bromham calling.
Use cases for 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 spelling rules are presented in the following examples:
Translation: Shall I use this knife?
I'll post these letters on my way home.
Translation: I will send these letters on my way home.
We use that and those for things and people that are not easily identified in a particular situation.
They are often more distant 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?
- 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, the attitude of the speaker towards them plays an important role in the rule about this, that, those and these and the use of these pronouns. So we use this and these to think of 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.
(speaking of the restaurant) I didn't like the decoration. It had those awful paintings.
I didn't like the decor. There (in the restaurant) hung these horrible pictures.
Public information
We sometimes use that instead of the to direct the listener to common knowledge. For example, when telling a story or explaining something, we might say:
You know that old shop on the corner? Well, they're going to turn it into a restaurant.
Do 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 refers to something important or relevant, or is going to introduce a new person, 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 to put in new windows.
- Suddenly, she pulled out such a large pile of papers from her pocket and threw it on the table.
What other uses are there for this, that, those, these?
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 is that (information) given at the beginning of the manual.
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 applied methods are those (methods) that are familiar to the researchers.
In the context of formal writing and speech, 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 that of a neutron. In this case, we can see that the word mass has been replaced by the construct that of.
The emotions in the poems are those of loss and grief.
Translation: Emotions in poetry are emotions of loss and grief.
It should be noted that in English the demonstrative pronoun that can only be used as a substitute for a thing or object. Regarding animals, people and other living beings, this pronoun is not used. 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: With the one who works in 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.
Today I ho body would talk aboutThis, that, these, thoseIt is not uncommon for students, even with a very good knowledge of English grammar, to get confused in demonstrative pronouns:this, that, these, those- this is a common mistake, but do not think that you do not need to pay attention to it. Often this mistake appears if you translate sentences with pronouns from Russian into English.These four words can be classified according to 2 criteria: distance and amount. Consider distance. Take a look at the table below. You will see that the pronounsthis and thesecan be used, when it comes to personalities and whether things who are close to the speaker. Let's take an example this newspaper (this newspaper), these newspapers (these newspapers).That and those – Can be used when talking about something or someone locatedaway, away from the one who speaks. For example , that book (that book), those book s (those books).Let's talk about numbers(sg. - the singular - a single number , pl. - plural - plural). The pronouns this and that are used with singular nouns - this pearl(this pear) that pearl(that pear), and these and those - in the plural - these pearls(those pears) those peers(those pears).
Particular attention should be paid to the pronunciation of the demonstrative pronouns this and these. These two sounds are very similar. now repeat a few times to feel the difference between [??s] (“s”) and [?i:z] (like “and” in the word “needles”).
Do not forget, what afterthese and thoseshould be usedplural noun by adding the ending -s or -es ( these shops s, those bench es).
|
HERE |
THERE |
|
|
this (this) |
that (that) |
|
|
these (these) |
those (those) |
It's time to check how much you understand my explanation :) Translate into English:
1. this man
2. these houses
3. those fruits
4. these lamps
5. that city
I have no doubt thateveryone coped with this an easy task. Then, how would you say in English such a sentence (note, NOT a phrase): “This is a hotel, and that is a restaurant”? That's right, after the words this and that we use the verb to be in the singular: "This is a hotel, and that is a restaurant." Say about the hotel and restaurant in the plural. It should be like this: "These are hotels, and those are reataurants." - the verb to be in the plural (These are hotels, otherwise restaurants.)
|
HERE |
THERE |
|
|
This is |
That is |
|
|
These are |
Those are |
We fix:
1. That is magazines, and this is a primer.
2. This is my job, and that is your duty.
3. Those are our envelopes, and this is his letter.
4. This is her white bag, and that is her coat.
5. This is the student and this is the teacher.
Interrogative forms with this, that, these, those
Continuing to consider topic demonstrative pronouns, we will touch onquestionpositive suggestions. Before you ask in English "What is this?", identify camping , singular or plural noun will be in the answer. Since your question and answer must match in number. For example, if there are several oranges , then the question "What is it?" will sound: "What are these?', not 'What's this?' because the answer would be: "These are orange s."
We train:
1. - What is it? - This is money .
2. - What is it? - It's a door.
3. - What is (there)? - That sweets .
4. - What is (there)? - T am balls.
Now you will no longer have confusion with this, that, these, those!
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In English, there are many different constructions, words and pronouns that perform a variety of functions in sentences. Such words often cause a lot of questions not only for beginners, but also for those who are more advanced in learning English. In this article, we will analyze what is the difference between this and that, similar at first glance, words.
So what is the difference between these two most common words?
If we translate both words into Russian, we can say that they are absolutely similar, because both are translated as "this". But you can not rely only on the translation of this and that.
The main difference between these two demonstrative pronouns is the distance of an object from the person who is talking about it. This is what we will now look into.
This in English: when to use?
Let's look at the rules for using these two particularly popular pronouns.
The English pronoun this is used when we point to an object not far from us:
- this plate, standing on the table nearby;
- this person is opposite us;
- this phone lying on the couch and so on.
Let's give a couple of examples to make it clearer:
- Give me this pen. - Give me that pen.
- My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend. - My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend.
- This is my dog. It is cute, isn't it? - This is my dog. She's cute, isn't she?
- Mary won "t go with us. This is pretty sad. - Mary won't go with us. It's very sad.
In sentences, the pronoun this can often be replaced by another personal pronoun - it (it).
- This book is the most interesting. - This book is the most interesting.
- It is the most interesting book. - This is the most interesting book.
When is the pronoun that used?
And here, on the contrary, that is used when talking about an object that is at a greater distance from the speaker. Usually this pronoun is translated as "that": that box, that person, that car. Here are a couple of sentences that use this pronoun:
- Do you see that big blue box? Do you see that big blue box?
- John, look at that picture! It's fantastic! - John, look at that photo! It's amazing!
- That man made me crazy. - That man pissed me off.
- That girl looks weird! That girl looks weird!
Sometimes the pronoun is used in sentences that require a hard, hard coloring. Usually such proposals are rude. For example:
- That "s none of your business! - It doesn't concern you! / It's none of your business!
Sometimes this demonstrative pronoun can be replaced by another by analogy - which. In this case, it is translated into Russian as "which":
- The town that we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town that we visited is so wonderful! I would like to go there again.
- The town which we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town that we visited is so wonderful! I would like to go there again.
Difference
As we have already found out, the demonstrative pronouns this and that are somewhat similar. But there is a very important difference between them. The pronoun this refers to objects that are nearby, not far from the speaker. But that performs a slightly different function. It is used when talking about an object that is far away. This is the difference between this and that.
Plural: these and those
Another pronoun that often raises questions is the plural of the same this and that.
These is translated into Russian as "these" and is the plural of this. Everything is exactly the same here. If the items are nearby, then we use these:
- These cats are so cute! - These cats are so cute!
- I hope these guys are nice. - I hope these guys are nice.
But those is the plural of the demonstrative pronoun that. It is translated into Russian as "these", "those" and is used when talking about any distant objects, objects at a distance:
- Those stars are amazing. Those stars are amazing.
- Those who are interested at other books of this writer can take them at our school library. - Those who are interested in other books by this writer can borrow them from our school library.
When we talk about the similarity of something, as well as in various scientific reports, these plural demonstrative pronouns are often changed to that of / those of.
The roles of these pronouns in a sentence
The pronouns of this group have two different functions:
- Definition, that is, the search for a dependent word that reveals the main one: That house is so big! (This house is so big!) This cat is really fat! (This cat is really fat!) These books are worth reading. (These books are worth reading.)
- As an independent word - a pronoun. In this case, things or objects are meant. Just look at that! (Just look at this!) Can I take some of these? (Can I have some?)
Expressions you might find useful
There are many expressions in English that contain the demonstrative pronouns that were discussed. Most often these statements are colloquial, everyday, used in our everyday life:
- That's it ("that's all"; "in-in"; "exactly"; "exactly"; "enough!"). This expression can be explained in different ways. Most often, it means "exactly!", but can be translated as the end of a dialogue, a point in resolving some issue. In this case, the expression is translated: "well, that's enough." And if the expression has an interrogative intonation, the phrase can be translated as follows: "Is that all you can say?". In Russian, we often say in such cases: "Yes, well!".
- That's right is one of the most popular affirmative answers in English. It is translated as follows: "that's exactly", "true", "so exactly", "absolutely true", etc.
- That's alright / that's ok - used to forgive a person, to say that everything is fine. It translates as: "everything is in order", "everything is OK", "everything is fine".
- This one time only - one single time, only one time.
- This one taken? - Is it busy here? / Is it free here?
- Those against? - Are there those who are against? / Anyone against?
- This is it! - That's it!/Exactly/Absolutely/Good/Correct!
Variants of using this and that
There are many different uses. These demonstrative pronouns often have different meanings and even emotional connotations. We will talk about this now.
We continue to study the rule this and that.
Approval of things and objects that we love
These demonstrative pronouns are often used to indicate an object that we love and approve of. In this case, this or these are used. This creates a feeling of proximity to the subject, the predisposition of the speaker:
- I love this new dress I "ve bought! - I love this new dress that I bought!
- These places remind me of my childhood. These places remind me of my childhood.
That and those to indicate distance
And the following demonstrative pronouns, on the contrary, exist in order to create some distance, remoteness from the object, in the literal and figurative sense. This is the difference between this and that. Take a look at the examples and you will understand everything:
- Actually, I don't really like that boyfriend of yours. - Actually, I don't really like this boyfriend of yours.
- I hate those places! - I hate these places! / those places!
That in the meaning of the and this as a/an
Very often, the demonstrative pronoun replaces the definite article in order to focus on the subject that is being described. Usually this technique is used when telling various stories, transferring knowledge and life experience:
- So I saw that man and... - And I saw this man, and...
- Remember that museum where we have already been at? - Do you remember the museum where we have already been?
But the demonstrative pronoun this replaces a/an. This usually happens when someone introduces us to something new or introduces a new person in our life. I think you can see a clear difference between this and that:
- This guy is really shy, but I like him. This guy is so humble, but I like him.
Physical distance and proximity to objects
But most often with the help of these pronouns we designate physical distance. Thus, we sum up the conclusion to all of the above.
The use of this and that in English is one of the easiest rules, but one that is often mistaken. This and its plural these show proximity to an object, that this object is near, not far. But that and those in the plural are used to indicate the remoteness of the subject.