Let’s dive into the usage of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” for singular and plural nouns. These words are known as demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, and they help us point to specific things or people.
Singular Nouns: “This” and “That”
“This”
- Usage: “This” is used to refer to a singular noun that is close to the speaker.
- Examples:
- This book is interesting. (The book is near the speaker.)
- This apple tastes delicious. (The apple is close to the speaker.)
“That”
- Usage: “That” is used to refer to a singular noun that is farther away from the speaker.
- Examples:
- That car is fast. (The car is not near the speaker.)
- That house is beautiful. (The house is at a distance from the speaker.)
Plural Nouns: “These” and “Those”
“These”
- Usage: “These” is used to refer to plural nouns that are close to the speaker.
- Examples:
- These books are interesting. (The books are near the speaker.)
- These apples taste delicious. (The apples are close to the speaker.)
“Those”
- Usage: “Those” is used to refer to plural nouns that are farther away from the speaker.
- Examples:
- Those cars are fast. (The cars are not near the speaker.)
- Those houses are beautiful. (The houses are at a distance from the speaker.)
Comparing “This” and “That”
- Proximity: “This” indicates something nearby, while “That” indicates something farther away.
- Example: This pen (near) vs. That pen (far).
Comparing “These” and “Those”
- Proximity: “These” indicates things nearby, while “Those” indicates things farther away.
- Example: These pens (near) vs. Those pens (far).
Usage in Sentences
Singular Examples
- This cat is cute. (The cat is near the speaker.)
- That dog is barking. (The dog is far from the speaker.)
Plural Examples
- These cats are cute. (The cats are near the speaker.)
- Those dogs are barking. (The dogs are far from the speaker.)
Contextual Usage
- In a Classroom:
- Teacher: “Look at this map on the board.” (The map is close to the teacher.)
- Student: “Can you see that poster on the wall?” (The poster is farther away.)
- Shopping:
- Customer: “I like these shoes.” (The shoes are near the customer.)
- Salesperson: “What about those shoes over there?” (The shoes are farther away.)
Practice Exercises
- Fill in the blanks with “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those”:
- _______ (near) chair is broken.
- _______ (far) mountains are beautiful.
- _______ (near) cookies are delicious.
- _______ (far) stars are bright.
- Create sentences using “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those”:
- Example: This phone is new.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” is essential for clear communication. “This” and “these” refer to things close to the speaker, while “that” and “those” refer to things farther away. By practicing their usage, you can improve your English language skills and make your speech and writing more precise.
