AXIS English A1 U6

This - That - These -Those

Level A1

Pronunciation

Vocabulary

Demonstrative Pronouns

These words are called demonstrative pronouns and they are used to show the relative distance between the speaker and the noun.

We use this (singular) and these (plural) to refer to something that is here / near.

Singular

Plural

Here

This

These

There

That

Those

Examples:

This is my car. (singular)

That is our house. (singular)

These are our children. (plural)

Those are my shoes. (plural)

We use that (singular) and those (plural) to refer to something that is there / far.

Note that the verb changes (i.e. singular / plural) depending on the pronoun that you use.

Demonstrative Pronouns and Nouns

Examples:

You can also use demonstrative pronouns with a noun to show the relative distance between the speaker and the noun.

This party is boring. (singular)

That city is busy. (singular)

These chocolates are delicious. (plural)

Those flowers are beautiful. (plural)

Demonstrative Pronouns and time.

Examples:

If an action is near in time we tend to use this / these.
If an action has finished or is in the past we use that / those.

This is a good meal. (at the time of eating)

Those girls we met last night were silly. (an event that happened in the past).

Demonstrative Pronouns and introductions.

Examples:

The expressions this is / that is are also common when you talk on the phone or you introduce people.

"Hello, this is Peter." (conversation by phone)

Carol, this is my friend Simon. Simon, this is Carol.

EXERCISE

Type the plural form in the boxes below and change the verb form.

Example

This car is new.

That girl goes to my school.

These cars are new.

Those girls go to my school.

This orange is very nice.

That student writes well.

That house is near the beach.

This book belongs to George.

That dog barks all night.

That computer is old.

This lesson is very difficult.

That person sings badly.

This exercise is easy.

End of lesson