{"id":272557,"date":"2026-07-14T03:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=272557"},"modified":"2026-07-14T03:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:00:12","slug":"demonstratives-this-that-these-those-a1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.edu.pe\/ja\/blog\/demonstratives-this-that-these-those-a1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering This, That, These, Those: A1 English Demonstratives"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>Demonstratives are special words that help us point to things.<\/strong> They tell us if something is close to us or far away, and if there is one thing or many things. In English, we use <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>these<\/span> for things that are near the speaker. We use <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>those<\/span> for things that are far from the speaker. <span data-no-translation>This<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> are for one thing (singular). <span data-no-translation>These<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>those<\/span> are for many things (plural). For example, if a pen is in your hand, you say <span data-no-translation>This is my pen.<\/span> If it is across the room, you say <span data-no-translation>That is my pen.<\/span> Understanding these words helps you describe your world clearly and correctly.<\/div>\n<h2>What Are Demonstratives?<\/h2>\n<p>Demonstratives are words that help us show *which* person or thing we are talking about. Think of them like a finger pointing!<\/p>\n<p>They give us two important pieces of information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Distance:<\/strong> Is the thing near us or far from us?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Number:<\/strong> Is it one thing (singular) or many things (plural)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-blended\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0E63C4,#0A2540);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf93 \u30d6\u30ec\u30f3\u30c7\u30c3\u30c9\u65b9\u5f0f\u3067\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u5b66\u307c\u3046<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;opacity:.95;\">\u5c11\u4eba\u6570\u5236\u30fb24\u6642\u9593365\u65e5\u5bfe\u5fdc\u306eAI\u30c1\u30e5\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u30fb\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;font-size:18px;\">\u4ee5\u4e0b\u306e\u30d7\u30e9\u30f3\u304b\u3089 <strong><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\">$<\/span>39<\/bdi><\/span><\/strong> <s style=\"opacity:.6;\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\">$<\/span>79<\/bdi><\/span><\/s> \u6708\u984d<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#0E63C4;\">\u30af\u30e9\u30b9\u306e\u4e88\u7d04\u3092\u3059\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>When to Use <span data-no-translation>This<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>These<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<p>We use <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>these<\/span> for things that are close to the person speaking.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> for <strong>one thing<\/strong> (singular) that is <strong>near<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Use <span data-no-translation>these<\/span> for <strong>many things<\/strong> (plural) that are <strong>near<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Imagine you can touch the item or it is very close to you.<\/p>\n<h2>When to Use <span data-no-translation>That<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>Those<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<p>We use <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>those<\/span> for things that are far from the person speaking.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> for <strong>one thing<\/strong> (singular) that is <strong>far<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Use <span data-no-translation>those<\/span> for <strong>many things<\/strong> (plural) that are <strong>far<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Imagine you need to point with your arm because the item is not close to you.<\/p>\n<h2>Demonstratives as Adjectives or Pronouns<\/h2>\n<p>Demonstratives can work in two ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>As a pronoun:<\/strong> They stand alone and replace a noun. For example: <span data-no-translation>This is my book.<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>This<\/span> replaces &#8216;the book&#8217;).<\/li>\n<li><strong>As an adjective:<\/strong> They come before a noun to describe it. For example: <span data-no-translation>This book is mine.<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>This<\/span> describes &#8216;book&#8217;).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both ways are correct and common in English.<\/p>\n<table>\n<caption>Summary of English Demonstratives<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Distance<\/th>\n<th>\u756a\u53f7<\/th>\n<th>Demonstrative<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Near<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Singular (one)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>This<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Near<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Plural (many)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>These<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Far<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Singular (one)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>That<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Far<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Plural (many)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Those<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Examples<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>This is my phone.<\/span> (singular, near)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>These are my keys.<\/span> (plural, near)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>That is your car.<\/span> (singular, far)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Those are her friends.<\/span> (plural, far)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Do you like this shirt?<\/span> (singular, near, adjective)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Can you pass me those apples?<\/span> (plural, far, adjective)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Practice<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-90\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"90\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"B03 L1 LISTENING AND GRAMMAR this, that, these, those\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-whatsapp\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#3DB16A,#1f8a4c);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83d\udcac \u500b\u5225\u306e\u30a2\u30c9\u30d0\u30a4\u30b9\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u5f53\u6821\u306f\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u306e\u516c\u8a8d\u6e96\u5099\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u3068\u3057\u3066\u3001\u7686\u69d8\u306b\u6700\u9069\u306a\u30b3\u30fc\u30b9\u3084\u8cc7\u683c\u53d6\u5f97\u3078\u306e\u9053\u3092\u3054\u6848\u5185\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u305c\u3072\u4eca\u3059\u3050\u30a2\u30c9\u30d0\u30a4\u30b6\u30fc\u306b\u3054\u76f8\u8ac7\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/51980473286\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#1f8a4c;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp\u3067\u30a2\u30c9\u30d0\u30a4\u30b6\u30fc\u3068\u30c1\u30e3\u30c3\u30c8<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Common mistakes for Spanish speakers<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish speakers sometimes make these mistakes with demonstratives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Omitting the demonstrative:<\/strong> In Spanish, you can often say &#8220;Es mi coche&#8221; (It&#8217;s my car). But in English, you must say <span data-no-translation>This is my car<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>That is my car<\/span> to point to it. You cannot say <span data-no-translation>Is my car.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Confusing singular and plural:<\/strong> Spanish has more forms (este\/esta\/estos\/estas, ese\/esa\/esos\/esas). Remember in English: <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> are always for one thing. <span data-no-translation>These<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>those<\/span> are always for many things.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Using articles instead of demonstratives:<\/strong> Sometimes Spanish uses &#8220;el\/la\/los\/las&#8221; where English needs a demonstrative to specify. For example, instead of &#8220;Dame el libro&#8221; (Give me the book), if you are pointing to a specific book, you might need <span data-no-translation>Give me that book.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the main difference between &#8216;this&#8217; and &#8216;that&#8217;?<\/h3>\n<p>The main difference is distance. We use <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> for one thing that is near us. We use <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> for one thing that is far from us.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I use demonstratives for people?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can use demonstratives for people. For example: <span data-no-translation>This is my friend, Maria.<\/span> (if Maria is near you) or <span data-no-translation>Those are my parents.<\/span> (if they are a bit further away).<\/p>\n<h3>How do I know if something is &#8216;near&#8217; or &#8216;far&#8217;?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends on your perspective. &#8216;Near&#8217; means close enough to touch or easily reach. &#8216;Far&#8217; means you would need to walk or stretch to reach it, or it is across the room or street.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the plural of &#8216;this&#8217;?<\/h3>\n<p>The plural of <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> is <span data-no-translation>these<\/span>. For example, <span data-no-translation>this apple<\/span> (one, near) becomes <span data-no-translation>these apples<\/span> (many, near).<\/p>\n<h2>Related lessons<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=272520\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Demonstratives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=272527\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Demonstratives<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Demonstratives are special words that help us point to things. They tell us if something is close to us or far away, and if there is one thing or many things. In English, we use this and these for things that are near the speaker. We use that and those for things that are far from the speaker. This and that are for one thing (singular). These and those are for many things (plural). For example, if a pen is in your hand, you say This is my pen. If it is across the room, you say That is my pen. Understanding these words helps you describe your world clearly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":272655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Demonstratives","langcom_cefr":"A1","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the main difference between 'this' and 'that'?\", \"a\": \"The main difference is distance. We use <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> for one thing that is near us. We use <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> for one thing that is far from us.\"}, {\"q\": \"Can I use demonstratives for people?\", \"a\": \"Yes, you can use demonstratives for people. For example: <span data-no-translation>This is my friend, Maria.<\/span> (if Maria is near you) or <span data-no-translation>Those are my parents.<\/span> (if they are a bit further away).\"}, {\"q\": \"How do I know if something is 'near' or 'far'?\", \"a\": \"It depends on your perspective. 'Near' means close enough to touch or easily reach. 'Far' means you would need to walk or stretch to reach it, or it is across the room or street.\"}, {\"q\": \"What is the plural of 'this'?\", \"a\": \"The plural of <span data-no-translation>this<\/span> is <span data-no-translation>these<\/span>. For example, <span data-no-translation>this apple<\/span> (one, near) becomes <span data-no-translation>these apples<\/span> (many, near).\"}]","rank_math_title":"Learn This, That, These, Those (A1 English Grammar)","rank_math_description":"Confused about 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those'? Learn how to use demonstratives in English to talk about things near and far, singular and plural. Perfect for A1 learners.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"this that these those","rank_math_canonical_url":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[604],"tags":[651,704],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-272557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a1-beginner-english","tag-grammar","tag-this-that-these-those"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/05230819\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.edu.pe\/ja\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"A1 Beginner 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