When to Use THIS (THESE) and THAT (THOSE) in English!

THIS

[Tweet “Use THIS when talking about someone or something near to you.”]

Use THIS when talking about someone or something near to you.

• This is my husband, John. (He’s standing next to me and I’m introducing him to somebody. He’s near.)
• How much is this T-shirt? (I’m holding the T-shirt in my hand or I’ m pointing at it. It’s near.)
• Press this button if you want to open the gate. (I’m pointing at the button while explaining. It’s near.)
  
• I bought this book yesterday. (The book is in my hand or I’m pointing at it. It’s near.

[Tweet “Use THESE when talking about more people or things.”]

Use THESE when talking about more people or things.

• These are my sisters, Abby and Lana. (They’re standing next to me.)
• These are the shoes I bought yesterday. (The shoes are near.)

THAT

[Tweet “Use THAT when talking about someone or something quite far from you.”]

Use THAT when talking about someone or something quite far from you.

• That is my brother over there. (I’m pointing at my brother. He’s quite far.)
• How much is that T-shirt? (I’m pointing at the T-shirt. I can’t reach it, it’s far- on a shelf or in the shop window.)
• Can you give me that hammer? (I can’t reach the hammer. I’m pointing at it and asking my friend to give it to me.)
• Look at that cat on the tree! How did she climb so high? (I’m pointing at the cat. It’s far from me.)

[Tweet “Use THOSE when talking about more people or things.”]

Use THOSE when talking about more people or things.

• I’d like to buy those shoes on the shelf. (The shoes are far.)
• Can you see those boys? They’re Greg’s sons. (The boys are far.)

Read more:
When to Use THIS and IT in English?
List of Sentence Connectors in English with Examples!
Difference between SO/SUCH followed by THAT!
Which vs That + Examples