Demonstratives
Definition
This, that, these and those identify something by number and perceived distance. This and these are normally closer to the speaker; that and those are normally more distant.
Examples
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This chair is comfortable.
This identifies one nearby chair.
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Those buildings are the old factories.
Those identifies several more distant buildings.
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These are the files you requested.
These stands alone as a pronoun rather than modifying a noun.
Singular vs. plural demonstratives
This key works.
This agrees with singular key.
These keys work.
These agrees with plural keys.
This / that are singular. These / those are plural. The following noun and verb must agree with that number.
Distance can be psychological, temporal or textual
The contrast is not limited to physical space. Demonstratives can point to time, shared situations, earlier statements or ideas in a text.
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That was a difficult year.
That points back to a more distant time or experience.
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This is the main problem: the data is incomplete.
This introduces an idea that follows immediately.
Common mistakes
This books are mine.
These books are mine.
Use plural these with plural books.
Those car is expensive.
That car is expensive.
Use singular that with singular car.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which phrase correctly identifies several nearby objects?
These is plural and normally points to nearby items.Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative as a pronoun?
Those can stand alone and agrees with plural are.Which sentence correctly refers back to a distant past experience?
Singular that can point back to a past period or experience.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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