This / That / These / Those
01 · Quick explanation
We use this and these for things near us, and that and those for things far away. This/that are singular; these/those are plural.
02 · Full explanation
This (singular, near) and these (plural, near) point to things close to the speaker: This is my pen. These are my pens. That (singular, far) and those (plural, far) point to things further away: That is your house. Those are your shoes. They can also be used alone as pronouns: This is nice, or before a noun as adjectives: This book is interesting.
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ This / That + is + noun (singular) · These / Those + are + noun (plural)
- This is my book.
- Those are her shoes.
05 · Negative
− This is not / These are not
- That is not my bag.
- These are not his keys.
06 · Question
? Is this…? / Are these…?
- Is this your pen?
- Are those your friends?
07 · Examples
ENThis is my pen.
KZБұл менің қаламым.
RUЭто моя ручка.
ENThese are my new shoes.
KZБұлар менің жаңа аяқкиімдерім.
RUЭто моя новая обувь.
ENThat is your house over there.
KZАнау жердегі сенің үйің.
RUВон тот дом — твой.
ENThose are my friends across the street.
KZКөшенің ар жағындағылар — менің достарым.
RUТе, что на другой стороне улицы, — мои друзья.
ENThis book is very interesting.
KZБұл кітап өте қызықты.
RUЭта книга очень интересная.
ENThese flowers smell wonderful.
KZБұл гүлдер керемет иіс шығарады.
RUЭти цветы прекрасно пахнут.
ENIs that your car in the car park?
KZАнау тұрақтағы көлік сенікі ме?
RUТа машина на стоянке — твоя?
ENAre those your cousins over there?
KZАнадағылар сенің немере туыстарың ба?
RUТе, что там, — твои двоюродные братья?
ENThis is my mother, and that is my father.
KZБұл — менің анам, ал анау — менің әкем.
RUЭто моя мама, а то — мой папа.
ENCan you pass me those books, please?
KZАнау кітаптарды маған беріп жібере аласың ба?
RUМожешь передать мне те книги, пожалуйста?
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ This are my books.
✓ These are my books.
Use these (plural) for more than one near item.
✗ Those is her bag.
✓ That is her bag.
Use that (singular) for one far item.
✗ This pens are mine.
✓ These pens are mine.
This is singular; use these before a plural noun.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
This/These vs That/Those
This and these point to things close to the speaker. That and those point to things further away.
This is my desk. (near)
That is your desk. (far)
These are my pens. (near)
Those are your pens. (far)
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
___ is my new bag. (in my hand)
2. Choose the correct answer:
___ are my shoes over there.
3. Choose the correct answer:
Look at ___ flowers next to you — they're beautiful.
4. Fill in the gap:
___ (that) is my sister in the photo.
5. Fill in the gap:
___ (these) are my favourite books.
6. Fill in the gap:
Is ___ (this) your phone on the table?
7. Fill in the gap:
Are ___ (those) your friends over there?
8. Correct the sentence:
This are my keys.
9. Correct the sentence:
Those is my teacher.
10. Correct the sentence:
These book is very good.
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.