THIS / THAT / THESE / THOSE

A: What's this called in English? B: It's called a "cellphone".	A: Bill, this is my friend Nadia. B: Hi, Nadia. Nice to meet you.	Use "this" to talk about a thing or person near you.
A: Is that a new phone? B: Yes, it is.	A: Who's that (over there)? B: That's my friend Leo.	Use "that" to talk about a thing or person away from you.
A: Are these your keys? B: No, they're not.	A: Yuki, these are my parents. B: Nice to meet you.	Use "these" to talk about two or more things or people near you.
A: Those headphones are cool. B: Yes, they are.	A: What are those? B: They're my new earrings.	Use "those" to talk about two or more things or people away from you.

"This," "that," "these," and "those" are demonstrative pronouns and adjectives used to indicate specific items or people. They help specify which objects or people are being referred to based on their distance from the speaker.

• "This" is used for singular nouns that are close to the speaker.
• "That" is used for singular nouns that are farther away from the speaker.
• "These" is used for plural nouns that are close to the speaker.
• "Those" is used for plural nouns that are farther away from the speaker.

Useful Expressions

1. This (singular) - Refers to something near the speaker.

   • Example: This book is interesting.

2. That (singular) - Refers to something far from the speaker.

   • Example: That car is expensive.

3. These (plural) - Refers to things near the speaker.

   • Example: These chairs are comfortable.

4. Those (plural) - Refers to things far from the speaker.

   • Example: Those mountains are beautiful.

Sentences

1. This laptop is new.
2. That house is old.
3. These apples are fresh.
4. Those shoes are stylish.
5. This pen writes smoothly.
6. That movie was exciting.
7. These flowers smell lovely.
8. Those books are on the shelf.

Questions and Answers

Q: How do you refer to a book that is close to you?
A: Use "this" For example, "Is this book yours?"

Q: How do you ask about a chair that is far away?
A: Use "that" For example, "Is that chair comfortable?"

Q: How do you refer to several items that are near you?
A: Use "these" For example, "Are these your keys?"

Q: How do you inquire about several items that are far from you?
A: Use "those" For example, "Are those your bags?"

Q: What is a response to "Is this your phone?"
A: "Yes, this is my phone" or "No, that is not my phone".

Q: How do you respond to "Are those your shoes?"
A: "Yes, those are my shoes" or "No, those are not my shoes".

Conversation

A: Hi Anna, what’s this on the table?

B: Oh, that’s my new notebook. Do you like it?

A: Yes, I do. And what about these books over here?

B: These are my textbooks for the course.

A: They look interesting. Are those magazines on the shelf yours too?

B: No, those magazines belong to my brother.

A: I see. By the way, can I borrow this notebook for a moment?

B: Sure, you can use it. Just make sure to return it later.

A: Thanks! I’ll return it by the end of the day.

B: No problem!