In the English language, there are many commonly confused words. Oftentimes we use words intuitively in the right way, but when we try to focus on the correct application in academic writing, they still get confused. One example of this could be the use of “this” or “that.” In this article, you will find out how to differentiate these two and how to use both of them correctly.
Definition of “this” vs. “that”
“This” and “that” are classified as demonstrative pronouns, meaning they refer to something that has already been mentioned or is indicated in some other way, like pointing at the object. While “this” and “that” do belong to the same class of words, they also describe slightly different things.
“This,” or in plural “these,” is used when the mentioned thing is locally close to the speaker. It is also used to describe proximity in terms of time, either present or future, but it can also be used for specific time phrases, as you will see in the examples below. Furthermore, it can indicate emotional closeness, for example preferences or likes of a person. Lastly, “this” can also replace “a/an” and thus introduce something new or emphasize something important.
“That,” or in plural “those,” on the other hand, describes something further away from the speaker, in space as well as in time, meaning events that have happened in the past. Moreover, it indicates dislikes and can replace “the” to share knowledge or explain something. Finally, it can also substitute “the one” in some contexts.
Generally, “this” and “that” can also be used to introduce people or substitute for nouns.
This
“This” can be used in scenarios with physical or mental proximity, time phrases, likes, and preferences, or to emphasize or introduce something new.
That
“That” can be used in scenarios with physical or mental distance, dislikes, shared knowledge, or explanations or as a substitution for “the one(s).”
The key to differentiating between “this” and “that” lies in understanding the specific context of your sentence. “This” is used for things close to you, while “that” describes things further away. Keeping this in mind, distinguishing these two is pretty easy.
Using the word “this”
The word “this” is generally used as a pronoun for things close to you, but in more than one sense. The usage of “this” in different contexts will be explained below.
“This” for physical proximity
The most common usage for “this” or “these” is, if something is physically or locally close to you.
Examples
- Can I pet this cat? (Pointing at the white one)
- I want these colors. (Pointing at the nail polish bottles)
“This” for time-wise proximity
“This” or “these” can also be used if something is happening right now or in the near future. In some cases it can also refer to something that happened just shortly ago, for it is still close to you time-wise.
Examples
- This concert was amazing. (Immediately after the concert)
- These cookies will be tasty. (While baking them)
“This” for emotional proximity
Things can also be emotionally close to you, in the sense that you like or prefer something.
Examples
- I love this shirt.
- I saw these cool anime figures yesterday.
“This” for new information
When something is new or unfamiliar to you, you can also use “this” or “these” to describe it.
Examples
- We met this strange guy at the coffee shop.
- Can you see these new flowers planted here?
“This” for introducing people
Introducing people who are with you right now can also be done using “this” or “these.”
Examples
- This is Mia.
- These are Lea and Tom.
“This” as a substitute for a noun
Especially in colloquial language, we substitute a noun for “this” or “these” when the object is close by, and we can point at it or when we mentioned it shortly before.
Examples
- Have you seen this? (Showing a video)
- I saw these in the shop. (Presenting a pair of shoes)
“This” for time phrases
When we talk about times of the day or other time-wise terms, we often use “this” or “these” to specify them.
Examples
- Are you free this week?
- How have you been these days?
Tip for using “this“ correctly
There are no actual synonyms for “this” or “these,” because the pronouns themselves often substitute other nouns. While writing, it is better to substitute repetitive nouns with “this” or “these,” but be careful to not overuse them and rephrase your sentences instead.
Using the word “that”
The word “that” is generally used as a pronoun for things at a distance from you, but in more than one sense. The usage of “that” in different contexts will be explained below.
“That” for physical distance
The most common usage for “that” or “those” is, if something is physically or locally distant from you.
Examples
- That dog over there is cute.
- Those houses by the river look so beautiful.
“That” for time-wise distance
“That” or “those” can also be used if something has happened in the past.
Examples
- Do you remember that time we went to the concert?
- Those were good times back then.
“That” for emotional distance
Things can also be emotionally distant to you, in the sense that you dislike something.
Examples
- Do you remember that strange guy we saw?
- They had those awful snacks at the party.
“That” for shared information
When you have experience in a field and know what you are talking about, you use “that” or “those” to refer to something. This is because the experience or event itself lies in the past.
Examples
- Have you been to that old bookshop?
- You definitely have to meet those guys.
“That” for introducing people
Introducing people who are not present anymore or have been present just a while ago, can also be done by using “that” or “those.”
Examples
- That was Mia just now.
- Those were Lea and Tom.
“That” as a substitute for a noun
Especially in colloquial language, we substitute a noun for “that” or “those” when the object is far away or not present at the scene right now.
Examples
- Have you seen that? (Showing a video)
- I saw those at the mall. (Talking about a pair of shoes)
“That” as a substitution for “the one”
When a noun would have to appear in a sentence two times, or is thus referred to in the second half of a sentence, it is often replaced by “the one that,” or in short colloquial usage, just “that.”
Example
- This cat is that of Mrs. Brixton. (Formal would be “This cat is the one of Mrs. Brixton.”)
Tip for using “that“ correctly
There are no actual synonyms for “that” or “those,” because the pronouns themselves often substitute other nouns. While writing, it is better to substitute repetitive nouns with “that” or “those”, but you should not to overuse them and rephrase your sentences instead.
Test yourself!
Practice sheet
To improve your ability to differentiate between “this” or “these” and “that” or “those”, fill in the blanks in the given sentences. The correct answers can be found when you click on the second tab.
- Do you remember that girl from yesterday? ____ was Mia.
- I always love going to parties like ____.
- Look at ____ cat over there across the street.
- You know how much I hate ____ exams?
- I have been to ____ kind of movie before.
- Have you seen ____ new girl at school?
- You want to go to ____ town in the south.
- I love the color of ____ flower right here.
- Can we have ____ cake right here?
- You don’t want to be friends with ____ guys.
- Do you remember that girl from yesterday? That was Mia. (Introduction + past)
- I always love going to parties like these. (Likes)
- Look at that cat over there across the street. (Distance)
- You know how much I hate those exams? (Dislikes)
- I have been to that kind of movie before. (Shared knowledge)
- Have you seen this new girl at school? (New information)
- You want to go to that town in the south. (Distance)
- I love the color of this flower right here. (Proximity)
- Can we have this cake right here? (Proximity)
- You don’t want to be friends with those guys. (Dislike or distance)
FAQs
You use “this” when something is close to you in distance, time, or for things you like. “That” is used when something is further away in distance or time, or for dislikes.
An example for “this” would be:
- “This is my new friend Mia.”
An example for “that” could be:
- “Do you see that cat over there?”
“These” is the plural form for “this,” and both are used to describe things close to you. “Those” is the plural of “that,” and describes things further away from you.
Both are correct. Important for the individual case is the situation. If the thing you are referring to is close by, you use “this one.” If the object is further away, you use “that one.”
