This, That, These, Those
Point to things near and far, singular and plural. A clear beginner lesson on demonstratives with 20 questions.
The words this, that, these, and those are called demonstratives. We use them to point to people or things — to say whether they are near or far, and whether there is one or more than one.
The simple 2 x 2 system
| Near (here) | Far (there) | |
|---|---|---|
| One | this | that |
| More than one | these | those |
Easy memory trickThis and these both have the same sound as “these fingers near me.” That and those are for things further away. And the plurals (these/those) end in the long “ee” sound.
Examples from class
- This book in my hand is interesting. (one, near)
- That building across the street is the school. (one, far)
- These pens on my desk are new. (more than one, near)
- Those students over there are in Omar’s class. (more than one, far)
Using them in questions and answers
- What is this? — It’s a dictionary.
- Who is that? — That’s Ms Layla.
- What are these? — They’re my notebooks.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersEnglish keeps it simple — only the number (one or many) and distance (near or far) matter. Unlike Arabic, English demonstratives do not change for masculine or feminine. “This” works for a man, a woman, a book, or a chair. One word, no gender to worry about!
Common mistakes
- This books are new. → These books are new. (more than one)
- That apples are red. → Those apples are red.
- These is my pen. → This is my pen. (one)
Practise pointing near and far with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1.Point to one book in your hand:
One thing, near = this.
2.Point to one building far away:
One thing, far = that.
3.Point to several pens on your desk (near):
More than one, near = these.
4.Point to students across the room (far):
More than one, far = those.
5.Complete: "___ is my pen." (one, near)
One, near = This.
6.Complete: "___ books are new." (more than one, near)
More than one, near = These.
7.Complete: "___ apples over there are red."
More than one, far = Those.
8."What is ___?" — "It's a dictionary." (one, near)
One, near = this.
9."Who is ___?" — "That's Ms Layla." (one, far)
One, far = that.
10."What are ___?" — "They're my notebooks."
More than one = these (or those).
11.Which is correct?
"books" is plural and near = These books.
12.Which is correct?
One pen = This is my pen.
13.Aisha holds one apple and says:
One, near = This apple.
14.Yusuf points at toys far away:
More than one, far = those toys.
15.Complete: "___ chairs here are comfortable."
Plural + near = These.
16.Complete: "Is ___ your phone?" (one, near)
One, near = this.
17.Demonstratives in English change for ___.
Only number (one/many) and distance (near/far).
18."___ shoes over there are mine."
Plural + far = Those.
19.Ms Layla holds up two books near her: "___ are your books."
Plural + near = These.
20.Choose the plural, far word:
those = plural + far.
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