This/that/these/those are used with nouns. Examples: this computer, this pen, that door, those geese, these mice etc. After 'this' and 'that' use a singular noun: this window, that cow.
But after these and those use plural nouns: these pens, those books.
Use this and these when you mean that something is here, in front of you. For example, by saying 'this notebook' you mean that notebook is here, near you. Use that and those when you mean that something is not near you. For example, 'that door' means that the door is not near you.
Learn the following examples:
- Do you like this book? (the book is here in my hand).
- Do you like that book? (the book which is on the shelf but it is not near me).
- Take these books (the books I am giving you).
- Many children are playing under
those trees.
- This boy is very clever. He can speak in two languages.
- This is a very intersting book. I like it very much.
| Singular | Plural |
| this/that cup | these/those cups |
| this/that shelf | these/those shelves |
| this/that whale | these/those whales |
| this/that CD | these/those CDs |
Remember: You may use this/that/these/those without noun. This is..., that is..., these are ..., those are ... .
Learn the following examples:
- This is a dog.
- That is a cat.
- These are dogs.
- Those are cats.
