What is the Difference Between “These” and “Those”?

by Daniel Scocco

Thomas, one of our readers, asks, “What is the difference between “these” and “those”? Can they just be interchanged?”

In order to understand the difference between these two terms we need first to understand the difference between “this” and “that,” since “these” is the plural of “this” and “those” is the plural of “that.”

The most basic difference refers to the distance of the object to the speaker. You should use “this” when the object is close to the speaker, and “that” when it is away. For example:

This is my book. (a boy points to a book on his hand)
That is your book. (a boy points to a book close to his friend)

Similarly, if you the things are close to the speaker you should use “these,” and if they are away you should use “those.”

Notice that the time will also influence the usage of “this” and “that” as a demonstrative pronoun. If something happened in the past, the usage of “that” is more appropriate. For example:

He didn’t go to the school. That made me think.

If the event has not happened yet, on the other hand, “this” is the correct form. For example:

He won’t go to the school today. This is quite strange.

Finally, a bit of trivia. When Americans answer to the phone they often say “Who is this?”. While in the United Kingdom people will say “Who is that?”

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20 Responses to “What is the Difference Between “These” and “Those”?”

  1. Thomas GvL on October 26, 2007 10:52 pm

    Thanks! That’s pretty helpful :)

  2. Eugene on October 27, 2007 4:10 am

    I didn’t know about the UK “who is that” thing. It sounds so awkward. :)

  3. nibas on October 28, 2007 9:13 am

    What is the diferrent between introductory “there” and preparatory “it”

  4. danie on October 29, 2007 4:45 pm

    confused

  5. tanveer on December 10, 2007 12:05 pm

    What is the differance between Elevated languages and Non- Elevated languages ?

  6. bel on February 19, 2008 8:39 am

    your website is very useful. thank you very much!!!

  7. janet on May 13, 2008 12:13 pm

    ppz tell what is the difference between the simpple ppast & the ppast continous?

  8. abimbola farotade on July 15, 2008 12:44 pm

    can you bring those books tomorrow please?

  9. dd on May 18, 2009 12:08 pm

    thanks

  10. gavin on November 17, 2009 4:20 am

    I’m afraid the comment about British people using ‘who is that’ is incorrect. I have never heard this, and I’m British! This article must have been written by an American……

    Don’t believe everything you read!

  11. Alex on January 19, 2010 10:20 am

    thanks… this is a very useful information

  12. roger on February 3, 2010 9:13 am

    UK “who is that” – As a British English speaker, it sounds a bit rude, and curt.

    And when asked on the phone – Is Roger there?, I get to answer “This is he.”

  13. Honourable – Segun on April 5, 2010 8:58 am

    i taught that,the word THESE,is a word used as a present word,why THOSE is a word used as a pass word.

  14. Honourable – Segun on April 5, 2010 9:00 am

    if that is the case please,explain it to my email address.

  15. stx3 on July 22, 2010 10:08 am

    Geez,, i learned english last 3 years. didn’t know about that. :D
    thanks big help man,.

  16. Sylva Portoian on March 4, 2011 9:53 am

    In poetry ‘but’ is a heavy word …would you suggest somthing lyrical…
    please?

  17. venkatsh on April 11, 2011 3:25 am

    very super your definition, simple but very powerfull

  18. Haslim on July 14, 2011 12:51 am

    Which determiner to be used in the blank below, “these’ or ‘those’?

    There are two prominent limestone hills in Selangor. __________ hills are linked by underground passages.

  19. Pepa on January 18, 2012 6:44 pm

    Haslim: I’d myself use these… But if I start to mention my experience with the hills itself, I’d use those. Let me explain:

    (showing you the scenery)These hills are linked by underground passages. (explaining you my opinion)Those hills gave me a lesson while I was exploring them.

  20. Rebecca on February 6, 2012 1:53 pm

    I never knew that is and this is can also b used for past tense and present tense respectively. Have learnt something new. Thanks

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