This, that, these, those
This, that, these, those
As you watch the video, look at the examples of this, that, these and those. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, this, that, these and those correctly.
We use this/that/these/those to explain what we are talking about. We sometimes use them with nouns and we sometimes use them on their own.
We use this (singular) and these (plural) to talk about things close to us, and that (singular) and those (plural) to talk about things at some distance away from us.
What about this shirt for Oliver?
No, hold on, what about that one over there?
So this is the idea of here and that is the idea of there?
Yes, exactly.
Wow, that market looks amazing. (= there. I'm not in the market, it's at some distance away from me)
This market is amazing. (= here. I'm in the market)
What about time? How does time affect this or that?
A good question. We use that to show distance in time as well as distance in space.
This is a good film. (we're watching it now)
That was a good film. (we saw it at some time in the past)
Are this/these and that/those always used with nouns?
No, we can use them as pronouns, without nouns, when it's obvious what they refer to.
What do you think about these for your Uncle Bob? (pointing to trousers)
I've never seen Uncle Bob in trousers like those. (those trousers, but we don't need to repeat trousers)
Who was that?
So they are useful words in shops or cafes. If you don't know the word for something, you can just say, 'Can I see that?' or 'I'd like those, please' and point.
Yes, they're very useful words!
I think I've heard this and that refer to more general things too, not just specific things.
That's right. This and that can refer to what somebody has said or what has happened. This could be several things or ideas.
That's right. (everything you said)
This is work you know! (all the things I'm doing)
That was a great concert! (something that has just happened)
What about phone language? How do people use this and that?
When you explain who is talking you say, 'Hi, this is Dan.'
And to check who is speaking, you can say, 'Is that Jenny?'
Can I say 'This is me'?
No. If you're phoning someone you know very well, you'd say 'It's me.'
What about introducing people to each other? Do I use this or that?
When you're introducing one person to another person, you say, 'Juliette, this is Marc'.
OK, thanks. That's all for now!
Comments
I can´t see this video
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Simon (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
Hi!
It stands to reason that Oliver hate this kind of shirt and me too. This Grammar Snack is very helpful, thank you! :)
Hi)
I think,Oliver hate this `exotic` shirt)
This Grammar Snack is very good and cool)Thanks)
Yes,I enjoyed. I think Oliver will be very surprised when he see that flowered shirt. :D
Yes, of course I enjoyed it. It was really fun.
I don't think Oliver will like the flowered shirt. It's too loud and colourful.
Most of the boys hate that kind of shirts.
Yes i liked it very much.This Grammar Snack is very helpful.Thank you for your help.I think that Oliver will hate that exotic shirt.It doens't appeal to him.He would prefer e black one instead of that.
Grammar snacks are very helpful..
it is beautiful video.Grammar snacks are very helpful..Yes,I enjoyed
yes i enjoyed the grammar snack ..i don't think that oliver will like the shirt becouse it was with flowers and i think that folwers aren't for boys..:)
This grammar snack was very helpful
I like this grammar snack ...I think that oliver will not like the blouse....
It is beautiful video.yes,I enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!
i really enjoyed it. its a interesting video and helpful too
i enjoy this video i thnk that oliver will like the shirt
I like this grammar snack but I don´t think Ollie will like that shirt!
i like grammer snack are too helpful
I think that garammar snack is very helpful..... Oliver will not like his T-shirt because flowers are for girls not for boys..
yes a beautiful video
I like this grammar snack .
I like this grammar and it is useful wapsite
hi ! yea i enjoyed a lot ,it was wonderful conversation between mom and daughter as well. i guess yes oliver would like that shirt but i think he would like the shirt with flowers because her sister told her mother that his brother do like darker colors mostly.
I was wondering if anyone knows were can be found some English expressions, more difficult ones, that are used very often. I'm participating at English competition, so I need it for practice. Thanks in advance:).