Demonstrative pronouns in English (this, that, these, those). What is the difference between this and that

Demonstrative pronouns this, that, these And those used to refer to people or things in a certain way.

This And these denote persons or objects that are in close proximity to the speaker in time or space. When mentioning people or objects more distant in space or time, determiners are used that And those.

This And that are placed before singular nouns, uncountable nouns and pronoun one. These And those are placed before plural nouns and pronouns ones.

This, that, these And those often called demonstrative adjectives.

This and these

This And these denote persons or objects that are completely obvious in a situation. This And these are used to distinguish these persons or objects from a group of similar ones. For example, if you are in a house, you can mark it this house. If we have the keys in our hands, we can talk about them these keys. If you are at a party, you can talk about it this party.

Didn't have a private practice in this fiat.
I am going to walk up these steps towards you.
I’ll come as soon as these men have finished their work.
I like this university.
Good evening. In this program we are going to look at the way in which British music has developed in recent years.

When it’s obvious what or who it’s about we're talking about, this And these can also be used as pronouns (pronouns).

This And these are part of many expressions relating to the present time period, for example, this month, this week And these days.

That and those

That and those are used in relation to people and objects that are within sight, but distant in space.

When it is obvious who or what we are talking about, that And those used as pronouns (pronouns).

Could you just hold that ?
Please don't take those .

Use

Use this, that, these And those before a noun indicates that the person or thing has just been mentioned. For example, if you just mentioned a girl, when you mention her again you can say this girt or that girl. Usually in such cases, the pronoun (a pronoun) is used to repeatedly mention someone or something, but sometimes this is impossible due to the fact that it is not clear who or what it refers to.

Students and staff suggest books for the library, and normally we’re quite happy to get those books.
Their house is in a valley. The people in that valley speak about the people in the next valley as foreigners.
They had a lot of diamonds, and they asked her if she could possibly get these diamonds to Britain.

In colloquial speech that And those can also be used before a noun to denote people or objects already known to the addressee.

That idiot Antonio has gone and locked our cabin door.
They learned how to eat with those horrible chopstics.
Do you remember that funny little attic apartment?

That can be used before nouns when talking about something that just happened, or something that the speaker just had a direct connection to.

I knew that meeting would be difficult.

That is often used as a pronoun to refer to something that just happened or happened.

Using those instead of the

In a more formal speech those can be used instead the before a plural noun when that noun is followed by a relative clause. When used in this way, the relative clause specifies which specific group of people or objects is being referred to.

… those workers who are employed in large enterprises.
The parents are not afraid to be firm about those matters that seem important to them.

Informal use of this and these

In informal conversation this And these sometimes used before nouns, even if something or someone is mentioned for the first time.

And then this woman came up to me and she said, “I believe you have a goddaughter called Celia Ravenscrofi.”
At school we had to wear these awful white cotton hats.

Demonstrative pronouns in English (demonstrative pronouns / demonstratives) indicate a person, object, or their signs. There are several demonstrative pronouns in English.

Now you know what demonstrative pronouns are in English. Next we will look at cases where each of them is used.

Demonstrative pronouns this and these

This these– with plural nouns. These pronouns should be used in the following cases:

1. When we talk about people or things that are close to us. Sometimes in sentences with this And these adverb is used here(here), which also shows the proximity of the object to us.

This table is wooden. – This table wooden. (the table is nearby and we point to it)

These books belong to me. – These books belong to me. (several books are near me)

This girl is here and she is waiting for you. – This girl Here, and she is waiting for you.

2. When a situation occurs in the present or future tense, we describe this situation using this/these.

We are going to meet this week. - We are going to meet at this week.

This month you are making a great progress. - IN this month you are making great progress.

3. When we talk about the same thing several times and want to avoid repetition.

I don't want to discuss this but I have to. - I don't want This discuss, but I have to. (implies that this event has already been called before, thus avoiding repetition)

Look at this! He seems to be looking for his money. - Look at This! Looks like he's looking for his money. (the pronoun indicates the situation described in the second sentence)

This is the main goal in my life. – This main goal in my life.

4. When we introduce people or introduce ourselves in a telephone conversation.

Jim, these are my brothers, Tom and Carl. – Jim This my brothers, Tom and Carl.

Hello! This is Kate speaking! Can I speak to Mary? - Hello. This Kate. Can I talk to Mary?

Demonstrative pronouns that and those

Demonstrative pronoun that used with nouns in singular, pronoun those– with plural nouns. Let's see when we can use demonstrative pronouns that And those:

1. When we talk about people or things located far away from us. Sometimes in sentences with demonstrative pronouns that And those adverb used there(there).

I don't like this piece of cake. Give me that one, please. – I don’t like this piece of cake. Give me That, Please. (the piece of cake that the speaker liked is located further from him)

Those ships are too far. I can't see their names. – Those ships too far. I don't see their names. (the indicated ships are at a distance from the speaker)

Look at that! There's a camel. - Look there! Vaughn there camel.

That's my future husband. – That- my future husband.

2. When we talk about a situation that took place in the past.

In those days people didn't have cars. - IN those times people didn't have cars.

We made only four kilometers that day. - IN that day we only walked four kilometers.

3. When we refer to some information that has been mentioned before and want to avoid repetition. We usually talk about a past action.
   

   She got married a month ago. That was wonderful! – She got married a month ago. It was Wonderful!

4. When we start a conversation on the phone and ask the other person to introduce himself. The person on the other end of the line is far from us, so we need to use a demonstrative pronoun that.
   

   Good morning! This is Brenda White. Who's that speaking? - Good morning! This is Brenda White! Who am I talking to?

The picture clearly shows how demonstrative pronouns work this/that And these/those when indicating the proximity or distance of an object.

We also suggest you watch a video from the teacher Alex. It's interesting how a native speaker explains this topic.

Demonstrative pronouns such, the same, it

Other demonstrative pronouns in English include such(such, similar) the same(the same one) and it(This). Let's look at how they should be used in speech:

1. When the noun is singular, then together with the demonstrative pronoun such(such, similar) the indefinite article is used.
   

   It's such an important decision - This such important decision.

   If the noun is plural, use the article after the pronoun such(such, similar) no.

   Don't do such things! - Don't do it such things!

2. Demonstrative pronoun the same(the same / the same) is always used with the definite article. Nouns after the same can be in either singular or plural form.

Underline the word with the same meaning, please. – Please underline the word with same meaning.

He chose the same movies as I did. - He chose the same films, as I do.

3. Demonstrative pronoun it corresponds to the Russian pronoun “this”.

– What is it? - What This?
- It's my ring. - This is my ring.

Is it your passport? – This your passport?

Don't miss it! - Don't miss it This!

Difference between this and it

Many linguists say that there is little difference between it And this No. You will be understood in any case if you say This is a cat or It is a cat. But there is a difference, albeit a small one.

This is a cat. - THIS is a cat. (we focus on the word “this”, that is, exactly this, and not that cat)

It is a cat. - This is a CAT. (we focus on the word “cat”, that is, not a dog or a guinea pig)

And one last little detail. To avoid repeating the same noun twice, the word is sometimes used instead one. And before that one You must also use a demonstrative pronoun. If the demonstrative pronoun in English is not followed by an adjective, then one (ones) can be omitted.

Would you like to buy this hat or that (one)? – Would you like to buy this hat or that?

And if there is an adjective, then you must save it one or ones in a sentence.

I don't want to buy this hat, I will take that blue one. – I don’t want to buy this hat, I'll take it out that blue one

How demonstrative pronouns are used in spoken English.
Demonstrative pronouns:
this, this, this these - this
that, that, then - that
those - those
this is it
such, such - such
the same (s), the same (same) - the same
That/that. This/these.

1. This (these)index fingers pronouns used:
to indicate an object located close to the speaker.
This old woman is Mr. White's secretary.
This elderly woman- Mr. White's secretary.
to describe situations relating to the future or present time.
We are sorry but Dr. White is out at this moment.
We're sorry, but Dr. White is not available at the moment.
I'm seeing Tom this Sunday.
I'm meeting Tom this Sunday.
in a situation where you introduce people to each other or introduce yourself over the phone.
Kate, this is Liz and these are my friends Bob and Ted.
Katya, this is Lisa, and these are my friends Bob and Ted.

2. Those/that are used:

To indicate an object or person located at a certain distance from the speaker.
Look at those new beautiful buses over there! they are his!
Look at those beautiful new buses over there! They are his!
to describe situations related to the past.
That month spent at the seaside was the best in my life!
That month spent on the sea coast was the best of my life.
when talking on the phone to clarify who you are talking to.
"Hello! This is Lilia Smith. Who is that, please?”
"Hello. My name is Lilia Smith. Who, tell me, am I talking to?

3. these/ this, those/that are used as pronouns and independently without a noun behind it.
Let's have a talk over this. Let's discuss this.
These peaches are riper than those in the basket.
These peaches are riper than the ones in the basket.

4. If in interrogative sentence If the pronouns these /those are used, then in the answers they are replaced by they.
Are these papers yours? Are these your papers?
Yes, they are. Yes.

It
It is also used as a demonstrative pronoun.
It is a candle. This is a candle.

5. When responding to special and general questions containing this or that, the pronoun it is used
Is that a butterfly over there? Is that a butterfly over there?
Yes, it is. Yes.
What is this? What is this?
It is a beetle. It's a beetle.
It or There?

How to use It correctly:

1) in sentences with It +be + adjective + to infinitive, highlighting the adjective, or it + be + adjective (+ that)
It is useless to know how it works without manual.
It's useless to know how it works without instructions.
It was coincident (that) Zinaida met her future husband in Paris.
What a coincidence that Zinaida met her future husband in Paris.

2) When we talk about the weather It has been foggy today.
Today it was foggy.
It has been snowing here since 2 o’clock.
It has been snowing since 2 o'clock.

3) When we ask for the exact time -What is the time?
What time is it?
-It is 23.30 sharp.
Exactly twenty three thirty.

4) When we describe places (terrains)
It is always calm and beautiful here at the lake.
Here by the lake it is always quiet and beautiful.

5) When we use phrases like it is becoming/ it is going to...
It is going to be boring at Rubik’s party.
Rubek's party promises to be boring.
It is becoming less and less interesting film to watch on TV. There are less and less interesting movies to watch on TV.

There

Used when there is a combination: there + be (is, are, will be, have/has/had been, was, were):

1) When we say that something exists somewhere (is, exists, is located)
There is wooden old church in my village.
In my village there is an old wooden church.

2) When we indicate the presence of something, someone
I’m sure there was some people at the restaurant.
I'm sure there were several people outside the restaurant.

3) When we indicate that something is happening or will happen in the future
There was a wedding here 3 hours ago.
There was a wedding here 3 hours ago.

If there is an enumeration in the sentence, then in the phrases there is / are be consistent in number with the first noun.
There was his aunt, two cousins ​​and Granny at my last birthday party. My birthday party last year was attended by his uncle, two cousins ​​and grandmother.

The English pronouns this and these belong to the category of demonstrative pronouns. They have some common features, but at the same time, each of these words has its own peculiarities of use.

General information

Demonstrative pronouns allow you to place emphasis on something (objects, persons, periods of time, etc.), to point to objects. First, let's say what this and these, included in this category, mean.

This is understood as “this, this, this”: this orange – this orange.

These means “these”: these pictures – these pictures.

Typically, the pronouns in question are studied together with another pair of words from the named group: that (that) and those (those).

Comparison

A common feature for the two pronouns is that they are used to indicate objects that are nearby: this window is (not that) window, these windows are these (not those) windows. Proximity can be not only in space, but also in time:

Jim has been to the Zootwice this year. Jim has been to the zoo twice this year.

They never get time to travel these days. “They haven’t had the time to travel lately.”

Meanwhile, the difference between this and these is what number each of these pronouns corresponds to. This is used when reporting about one thing:

I want to buy this magazine. – I want to buy this magazine.

The use of these is associated with cases when speech contains information about several objects:

I want to buy these magazines. – I want to buy these magazines.

It should be noted that the function of the pronouns in question is ambiguous. It happens that they act as definitions for words, that is, they are pronouns-adjectives. In such cases, it is important not to forget about the approval rules. Namely: the noun related to this must be used, accordingly, in the singular, while these requires the placement of the associated noun in the plural.

Examples with adjective pronouns:

This table is big. - This table is big.

Write these words once more. – Write these words again.

Also, this and these can play the role of noun pronouns. Then they become subjects or other members of the sentence. What is the difference between this and these used in this sense? The fact is that when using the verb to be, the pronoun this corresponds to its form is, and the pronoun these corresponds to the form are.

Examples with noun pronouns:

This is my sister Jane. - This is my sister Jane.

These are birds. - These are birds.

In the first section of the second lesson, the demonstrative pronoun was introduced This as an alternative to the word It:

It is a cat = This is a cat

Let's see how these words differ.

What's happenedit?

It- This personal pronoun , the most adequate Russian translation of which would be: It. From previous lessons we remember that in English nouns have neither masculine nor feminine. It cannot be said that a table (table) is He, and a car (car) is She. All these words will belong to one neutral gender - It (it).

This is where the whole sentence comes from:

It is a table - This is a table literally: It is a table
It is a car - This is a car literally: It is a machine

Of course, it doesn’t sound very good in Russian word for word, so it’s better to try to understand these sentences from the point of view of the English language and just forget that words have genders.

What's happenedthis?

This– this is also a pronoun, but this demonstrative pronoun : This . We use it when we point to some object - hence the name “demonstrative pronoun” (For example, we point our finger at the table and say: This is a table)
This is very suitable for constructing sentences like "This is..."

This is a book - This is a book
This is a pencil - This is a pencil

In all these cases the words This And It are equal. You can say this and that.

This is a car = It is a car (This is a car)
It"s a room = This is a room (This is a room)
What is it? = What is this? (What is this?)
Is it a bicycle? = Is this a bicycle?(Is this a bicycle?)
It"s not a flower = This is not a flower(This is not a flower)
It isn't a river = This isn't a river(This is not a river)

This and That

Besides the pronoun This(this), which indicates an object nearby, in English there is another pronoun to indicate a more distant object - That(That).

· >We use the pronoun This (This) when we point to an object located next to us (Here):>

T his is a flower he is nearby
T his is a room she is nearby

· >When the object is a little further from us (There), you need to use the pronoun That. The closest Russian equivalent is To. Although in Russian in a sentence we very often translate the word That with the pronoun This.>

That is a house - This is a house verbatim: That is, house
That is a bike - This is a motorcycle he is located at a somewhat distant distance from us
That is a tree - This is a tree here we also mean that tree, it is located not here, but there

So, if the item is HERE, then we use This, when the item is THERE, then we say That.

Compare:

This is a pen and that is a pencil- This is a pen, and that is a pencil.

Say it in English with the pronoun that:

This is a shirt
This is a flower
This is a glass
This is a newspaper

With the pronoun That we can shorten the verb is and say briefly and concisely: That's.

That is a phone = That"s a phone(This is a phone)
That is a clock = That"s a clock(This is a clock)
That is a shelf = That"s a shelf(This is a shelf)

Say it briefly:

This is the door
This is a computer
This is a mug
This is a mirror

Now we can use That in all kinds of sentences.

What is that? – That is a car.
Is that a car? - Yes, that's a car.
That is not a dog, that is a cat.
Is that a cow? – No, that "s not a cow, that"s a bike
That isn't a boy, that's a girl.
>

Hover your cursor to find out what all these sentences mean.

Note also that if the question contains the pronoun this , then it is not at all necessary to use it when answering. Everything will depend on how close the subject is to you and to the interlocutor. So very often you can find such cases:

What is that? – This is a bicycle The bike is further away from the person asking, but closer to the person answering

Is this a cupboard? – Yes, that"s a cupboard
Is that a clock? – Yes, this is a clock

Try to speak in English, imagining that the following objects will be close to the person asking the questions, and far from the answer. And then vice versa:

What is this? - This is a guitar