this, that – these, those
When do we use the this and that – these/those?
- this and that in the singular,
- these and those in the Plural.
Generally speaking, we use this/these to refer to people and things, situations and experiences that are close to the speaker or very close in time. We use that/those to refer to people and things, situations and experiences that are more distant, either in time or physically.
- This is a great game. (We are watching the game.)
- That was a great game. (The game is over.)
The demonstrative determiner and the demonstrative pronoun
demonstrative determiner (together with a noun): This book is new.
demonstrative pronoun (stand on its own): This is a new book.