Demonstrative pronouns in English. What is the difference between this and that

Demonstrative pronouns have separate forms for the singular - this this, this, this,
that mom, that, then- and plural - these these, those me.

Demonstrative pronouns are used both as adjective pronouns and noun pronouns.

1. Demonstrative pronoun-adjective, being a determiner of a noun,
excludes the use of an article before the noun to which it refers.
When the noun to which the demonstrative pronoun refers is preceded by others
definitions, then the demonstrative pronoun, like any determiner, is placed before them:

Don't live in that house. - He lives in that house.

He lives in that white house. - He lives in that white house.

2. Pronouns this And these indicate objects in
close proximity to the interlocutor, while that And those point to
more distant objects:

This pencil is mine. - This pencil is mine. (We are talking about a pencil that the speaker holds in his hand or that is directly in front of his eyes.)

That pencil is yours. - That pencil is yours. (We are talking about a pencil that is not in close proximity to the speaker.)

This young man is my brother. - This young man is my brother. (We are talking about a person standing close to the speaker.)

Do you know that man? - Do you know this person? (We are talking about a person located at some distance from the interlocutor.)

These cigarettes are very good. - These cigarettes are very good. (We are talking about cigarettes that the speaker holds in his hand or that are in close proximity to him.)

I like those flowers. - I like those (those) flowers. (We are talking about flowers that are not in close proximity to the speaker.)

3. Pronoun this with the word country used in relation to the country in which
there is a speaker or author. Therefore, when the combination country this found in
English newspaper, it should be translated England, in an American newspaper - USA, V
message from a correspondent from Holland - Holland etc.:
The exports of coal from this country decreased last year (from an article in an English newspaper). Coal exports from England fell last year.

The exports of coal from this country decreased last year (from an article in an English newspaper). - Coal exports from England decreased last year.

The imports of coal into this country decreased last year (from a report by a correspondent from Holland, published in an English newspaper). - Coal imports to Holland decreased last year.

If we are not talking about the country of residence of the speaker or author, then it is used that country
both with the meaning of that country and this country:

I was in Bulgaria last year. I liked that country very much. - I was in Bulgaria last year. I really liked this country.

4. This in time expressions refers to the moment of conversation or to the current period
time, a that- to a moment or period of time in the past or future:

I am busy at this moment. - I'm busy at the moment.

It is only the beginning of May. - It's only the beginning of May.

You can’t bathe at this time of the year. - You can't swim at this time of year.

My brother will go to the Caucasus this summer. - My brother will go to the Caucasus this summer (this summer).

I spent the summer of 1986 in the south. We had a lot of rain that summer. - I spent the summer of 1986 in the south. This (that) summer was very rainy.

At that moment the door opened and a man entered the room. - At that (that) moment the door opened and a man entered the room.

I am going to call on him at five o’clock. I hope he will come home by that time. - I'm going to see him at five o'clock. I hope he comes home by this time.

In Russian the demonstrative pronoun this (this) often used not only for
indications of nearby objects and to indicate the moment of conversation or the current period
time, but also to indicate more distant objects, objects that are not present,
and to indicate past and future moments or periods of time. Therefore the pronoun this (these)
in English in some cases it corresponds this (these), and in others that (those):

I'll go south this summer. - I shall go to the south this summer.

I usually work in this room. - I usually work in this room.

Do you see the white house at the end of the street? My brother lives in this house. - Do you see the white house at the end of the street? My brother lives in that house.

Yesterday he showed me his new dictionary. He bought this dictionary in Leningrad. - He showed me his new dictionary yesterday. He bought that dictionary in Leningrad.

At that moment I heard a noise in the corridor. - At that moment I heard a noise in the corridor.

Come at 5 o'clock. I'll be home at that time. - Come at five o'clock. I shall be at home at that time.

After pronouns this And that pronoun is often used one to avoid
repetition of the previously mentioned noun:

Will you give me another book? I don't like this one. - Give me another book. I don't like this one.

This book is mine, and that one is yours. - This book is mine, and that one is yours.

1. Demonstrative pronouns-nouns are used in the same way as corresponding
adjective pronouns, namely: this And these are used when talking about objects close to the speaker, a that And those- when it comes to more distant objects:

This is my dictionary and that is yours. - This is my dictionary, otherwise it’s yours.

These are my magazines and those are yours. - These are my magazines, otherwise they are yours.

Have you read this? -Have you read this?

I shall take these. - I'll take these.

2. This often used in relation to subsequent direct speech, and that in relation to
to the previous direct speech:

This is what she said: “I don’t think he is right.” “That’s what she said: “I don’t think he’s right.”

“I don’t think he is right.” - That's what she said.

That used to replace a preceding singular noun, a
those to replace a plural noun when they should
repeat with the definite article. That And those in such cases it is usually translated into
Russian language with the nouns they replace:

The price of tin is higher than that of copper (that = the price). - The price of tin is higher than the price of copper.

At our factory there are a few machines similar to those described in this magazine (those = the machines). - There are several machines in our factory similar to the machines described in this magazine (similar to those described in this magazine).

In the meaning of a demonstrative pronoun, the pronoun is also used it, corresponding
Russian pronoun This:

Who is there? -It is Helen. -Who's there? - This is Elena.

What is this? - It is a dictionary. - What is this? -This is a dictionary.

Demonstrative pronouns also include the pronoun such such, such,
which is used both as an adjective pronoun,
and noun pronouns:

These are such interesting books! - These are such interesting books!

Such was the agreement between the two parties. - That was the agreement between both parties.

When such defines a countable noun in the singular, then the noun
used with the indefinite article, which is placed after such:

It is such an interesting book! - This is such an interesting book!

This and that in English

In English speech and in literary texts the words that and this are often found. There is, of course, a difference between them, but what it is remains a mystery to many.

Today we will look not only at the use of this and that, but also at the correct use of these and those pronouns. The difference between these pairs is quite significant, and once you understand it, you will never again confuse the words that, this, those and these.

This or that: usage rule

This and that are demonstrative pronouns.

This translates as this/this/this.
That's accordingly how that/that/that.

Both pronouns refer to the SAME object (or person), the difference between this and that is that the objects that we denote by these pronouns are at different distances from the speaker.

This denotes what is nearby, nearby, nearby.
That- something that is located in the distance, remote from the speaker.

For example,
This cat is mine. This cat is mine.
That cat is yours. That cat is yours.

“Cat” is a singular word. Choice this or that depends exactly on WHERE exactly this cat is located. The one that lies near my feet is this cat. The one that is far from me is that cat.

When we talk about the distance of an object, we are talking not only about space (the physical location of the object - far or close to the speaker), but also about time.

For example:
That was awesome! I had a wonderful time!
It was great! I had a wonderful time!

The action took place in the past, the narrator now recalls a pleasant time spent and uses the pronoun that. Please note that we will most likely translate into Russian that as “this”, and not as “that” - due to the stylistic features of the Russian language. For us, the difference between “this” and “that” in this context is insignificant. But it is fundamental for the English language. Consume this in this case it will be an error.

Thus, when talking about distant events (actions in the past), we use the pronoun that.

This and that in live speech

This and that are often confused in dialogues, for example, in a telephone conversation.

If you are introducing yourself in a conversation, use this:
- Hello. This is Mary.

If you are asking a question, clarifying who is speaking to you, use that:
- Is that Julia?

Compare:

Is that George?
- No, this is Mike.

These and those: difference and use

In addition to this and that, you can often find another pair of demonstrative pronouns: these-those. The rule for their use is: if there are many items, not just one, we change this to these, and that to those.

These - these
Those - those

These cats are mine. These cats are mine.
Those cats are yours. Those cats are yours.

As you can see, both pronouns those, these indicate many objects (several cats). What is the difference between them? These and those, as well as the pair this–that, denote objects that are at different distances from the speaker.

These - objects are close (these)
Those - objects are far away (those)

Thus, when choosing a suitable pronoun, we always look at only two aspects:

1. Number of objects/persons (how many - one or many)
2. Their distance from the speaker (here or there)

The this–these pair is used if the object/objects are near the speaker. The pair that–those is used if the object or objects are far from the speaker.

We pronounce it correctly: these or this

You have probably encountered the fact that in live speech it is difficult to hear the difference between these and this. Therefore, they are often confused both in speech and in writing. Both pronouns are pronounced similarly, and in a conversation it is not always possible to catch what was said - these or this. How to pronounce these and this correctly:

This is pronounced briefly, with the s at the end sounding like “s”, dull. But these is pronounced with a long “i” sound (as in Russian “NII”), and at the end it sounds “z”, not “s”.

If you yourself pronounce these pronouns correctly, you will hear the difference between them in someone else’s speech.

How to correctly use this, that, these, those in a sentence

Demonstrative pronouns this/that/these/those can be used with or without a noun. Take a look:

Without a noun:
This is your last chance to see him.
This is your last chance to see him.

With a noun:
This meeting is your last chance to see him.
This meeting is your last chance to see him.

If demonstrative pronouns come at the beginning of a sentence and there is no defining noun after them, then, as a rule, the verb to be follows in singular or plural form:

This is/These are/That is/Those are

This is a cat. - This is a cat.
These are butterflies. - These are butterflies.
That is a train. - This is a train.
Those are cucumbers. - These are cucumbers.

Both this and that serve as the subject here and are translated as “this.”

Demonstrative pronouns without nouns can appear in different parts of a sentence:

Which trousers would you choose, these or those?
Which trousers would you choose, these or those?

What is that?
What's that there?

If a demonstrative pronoun precedes a noun, its function is to point to a specific object:

This cat has drunk our milk. - This cat drank our milk.
In this case, the pronoun this specifies that it was this cat, and not some other, that drank all the milk.

Any of the four demonstrative pronouns can be accompanied by a noun:

This flower smells great. - This flower smells great.
That man is very angry. - That man is very evil.
These tickets cost too much. -These tickets are too expensive.
Those presents are from my friend. - Those gifts are from my friends.

Tricky question “What is this?”

When you ask the question “What is this?”, you may encounter difficulty. After all, uttered in Russian, the question “What is this?” It sounds the same no matter how many objects there are and no matter where they are located. Take a look:

Due to the fact that in Russian the question sounds the same in all four situations, many are confused about how to correctly ask in English: “What is this?”

Focus on the distance of the object and the number of objects. Have you determined? Now choose the appropriate pronoun and the appropriate form of the verb to be.

Demonstrative pronouns and one

Sometimes after demonstrative pronouns you can find the word one. And even ones. What is it?

It happens that in order to preserve the beauty of speech it is necessary to avoid repeating a noun. For example:

This T-shirt is too expensive. That T-shirt is cheaper.
This T-shirt is too expensive. That T-shirt is cheaper.

The repetition of the word “T-shirt” is not justified here. For what? In Russian speech we would rather say: “This T-shirt is too expensive. That one is cheaper.” Everyone understands that “that” = “that T-shirt.”

Something similar happens in English. Just like in Russian, we get rid of the double word T-shirt. But if in Russian we can leave the pronoun “ta” in splendid isolation, then in English we must choose a substitute for the noun. This function is performed by the word one. Take a look:

This T-shirt is too expensive. That one is cheaper.
This T-shirt is too expensive. It's cheaper.

Since we are talking about one subject, we used the singular demonstrative pronoun - that. After the pronouns that/this, the rule requires the use of the word one.

If we are talking about many objects and using the pronouns these and those, then we will use ones.

These glasses are awful! Pass me those ones, please.
These glasses are terrible. Pass those to me, please.

Common Mistake: no need to try to translate one and ones. Neither as “one”, nor as “alone”, nor in any other way. In this case, one/ones is a building block that allows you to correctly construct a sentence in terms of structure; neither one nor ones are translated into Russian in such sentences.

Now you know when to use the demonstrative pronouns this, that, these, those and you can correctly structure your speech. Read other Puzzle English articles and improve your English!

In the English language, there are many different constructions, words and pronouns that serve a variety of functions in sentences. Such words often raise a lot of questions not only among beginners, but also among those more advanced in learning English. In this article we will look at the difference between this and that, words that are similar at first glance.

So what is the difference between these two most common words?

If we translate both words into Russian, we can say that they are absolutely similar, because both are translated as “this”. But you cannot rely only on the translation of this and that.

The main difference between these two demonstrative pronouns is the distance of an object from the person who is talking about it. We'll figure this out now.

This in English: when to use?

Let's look at the rules for using these two especially popular pronouns.

The English pronoun this is used when we point to an object not far from us:

• this plate standing on the table nearby;
• this person is opposite us;
• this phone lying on the sofa and so on.

Let's give a couple of examples to make it clearer:

• Give me this pen. - Give me this pen.
• My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend. - My sister wants to buy this shirt for her boyfriend.
• This is my dog. It is cute, isn't it? - This is my dog. She's cute, isn't she?
• Mary won't go with us. This is pretty sad. - Mary won't go with us. It's quite sad.

In sentences, the pronoun this can often be replaced by another personal pronoun - it (it).

• This book is the most interesting. - This book is the most interesting.
• It is the most interesting book. - This is the most interesting book.

When is the pronoun that used?

But here, on the contrary, that is used when talking about an object located at a further distance from the speaker. Usually this pronoun is translated as “that”: that box, that person, that car. Here are a couple of sentences in which this pronoun is used:

• Do you see that big blue box? - Do you see that big blue box?
• John, look at that picture! It's fantastic! - John, look at that photo! It's amazing!
• That man made me crazy. - That man drove me crazy.
• That girl looks weird! - That girl looks strange!

Sometimes the pronoun is used in sentences that require a firm, rigid coloring. Usually such proposals are rude. For example:

• That's none of your business! - It doesn't concern you! / It's none of your business!

Sometimes this demonstrative pronoun can be replaced by another by analogy - which. In this case, this is translated into Russian as “which”:

• The town that we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town we visited is so wonderful! I would love to go there again.
• The town which we visit is so wonderful. I would like to go there again. - This town we visited is so wonderful! I would love to go there again.

Difference

As we have already found out, the demonstrative pronouns this and that are somewhat similar. But there is a very important difference between them. The pronoun this indicates objects that are nearby, not far from the speaker. But that performs a slightly different function. It is used when talking about some object located far away. This is the difference between this and that.

Plural: these and those

Another pronoun that often raises questions is the plural of the same this and that.

These is translated into Russian as “these” and is the plural of this. Everything is exactly the same here. If objects are located nearby, then we use these:

• These cats are so cute! - These cats are so cute!
• I hope these guys are nice. - I hope these guys are nice.

But those is the plural of the demonstrative pronoun that. It is translated into Russian as “these”, “those” and is used when talking about any distant objects, objects at a distance:

• Those stars are amazing. - Those stars are amazing.
• Those who interested at other books of this writer can take them at our school library. - Those who are interested in other books by this writer can borrow them from our school library.

When we talk about the similarity of something, as well as in various scientific reports, these plural demonstrative pronouns often change to that of / those of.

The roles of these pronouns in a sentence

The pronouns in this group have two different functions:

1. Definition, that is, searching for a dependent word that reveals the main thing: That house is so big! (This house is so big!) This cat is really fat! (This cat is really fat!) Thesee books are worth reading. (These books are worth reading.)
2. As an independent word - a pronoun. In this case, things or objects are meant. Just look at that! (Just look at this!) Can I take some of these? (Can I have some?)

Expressions that may be useful to you

There are many expressions in English that contain the demonstrative pronouns discussed above. Most often these are colloquial, everyday statements used in our everyday life:

• That’s it (“that’s all”; “that’s it”; “exactly”; “precisely”; “that’s enough!”). This expression can be explained in different ways. Most often it means “exactly!”, but can be translated as the end of a dialogue, a point in resolving some issue. In this case, the expression is translated: “that’s it, that’s enough.” And if the expression has a questioning intonation, the phrase can be translated as follows: “Is that all you can say?” In Russian, we often say in such cases: “Come on!”
• That's right is one of the most popular affirmative answers in the English language. It is translated as follows: “this is exactly”, “true”, “so exactly”, “absolutely true”, etc.
• That’s alright / that’s ok - used to forgive a person, to say that everything is fine. Translated as: “everything is fine”, “everything is okay”, “everything is fine”.
• This one time only - one single time, only one time.
• Is this one taken? - Is it busy here?/Is it free?
• Those against? - Are there those who are against?/Anyone against?
• This is it! - This is it!/Exactly/Absolutely/Good/Correct!

Uses of this and that

There are many different uses. These demonstrative pronouns often have different meanings and even emotional connotations. This is what we will talk about now.

We continue to study the rule of this and that.

Approval of things and objects that we love

These demonstrative pronouns are often used to point to an object that we love and approve of. In this case, use this or these. This creates a feeling of closeness to the subject, the speaker’s predisposition:

• I love this new dress I "ve bought! - I love this new dress that I bought!
• These places remind me about my childhood. - These places remind me of my childhood.

That and those to indicate distance

And the following demonstrative pronouns, on the contrary, exist in order to create some distance, distance from the object, in the literal and figurative sense. This is the difference between this and that. Take a look at the examples and you will understand everything:

• Actually, I don't really like that boyfriend of yours. - Actually, I don't really like this boyfriend of yours.
• I hate those places! - I hate these places!/those places!

That in the meaning of the and this as a/an

Very often, the demonstrative pronoun replaces the definite article in order to focus attention on the subject that is being described. Typically, this technique is used when telling various stories, transferring knowledge and life experience:

• So I saw that man and... - And I saw this man, and...
• Remember that museum where we have already been at? - Remember the museum where we were already?

But the demonstrative pronoun this replaces a/an. This usually happens when someone introduces us to something new or introduces us to a new person in our lives. I think you see a clear difference between this and that:

• This guy is really shy, but I like him. - This guy is so modest, but I like him.

Physical distance and proximity to objects

But most often with the help of these pronouns we denote physical distance. Thus, we bring to a conclusion all of the above.

The use of this and that in English is one of the easiest rules, which, however, is often mistaken. This and its plural these show proximity to an object, that this object is nearby, not far away. But that and those in the plural are used to indicate the remoteness of an object.

How demonstrative pronouns are used in spoken English.
Demonstrative pronouns:
this, this, this these - this
that, that, then - that
those - those
this is it
such, such - such
the same (s), the same (same) - the same
That/that. This/these.

1. This (these)index fingers pronouns used:
to indicate an object located close to the speaker.
This old woman is Mr. White's secretary.
This elderly woman is Mr. White's secretary.
to describe situations relating to the future or present time.
We are sorry but Dr. White is out at this moment.
We're sorry, but Dr. White is not available at the moment.
I'm seeing Tom this Sunday.
I'm meeting Tom this Sunday.
in a situation where you introduce people to each other or introduce yourself over the phone.
Kate, this is Liz and these are my friends Bob and Ted.
Katya, this is Lisa, and these are my friends Bob and Ted.

2. Those/that are used:

To indicate an object or person located at a certain distance from the speaker.
Look at those new beautiful buses over there! they are his!
Look at those beautiful new buses over there! They are his!
to describe situations related to the past.
That month spent at the seaside was the best in my life!
That month spent on the sea coast was the best of my life.
when talking on the phone to clarify who you are talking to.
"Hello! This is Lilia Smith. Who is that, please?”
"Hello. My name is Lilia Smith. Who, tell me, am I talking to?

3. these/ this, those/that are used as pronouns and independently without a noun behind it.
Let's have a talk over this. Let's discuss this.
These peaches are riper than those in the basket.
These peaches are riper than the ones in the basket.

4. If the pronouns these /those are used in an interrogative sentence, then in the answers they are replaced by they.
Are these papers yours? Are these your papers?
Yes, they are. Yes.

It
It is also used as a demonstrative pronoun.
It is a candle. This is a candle.

5. When answering special and general questions containing this or that, the pronoun it is used
Is that a butterfly over there? Is that a butterfly over there?
Yes, it is. Yes.
What is this? What is this?
It is a beetle. It's a beetle.
It or There?

How to use It correctly:

1) in sentences with It +be + adjective + to infinitive, highlighting the adjective, or it + be + adjective (+ that)
It is useless to know how it works without manual.
It's useless to know how it works without instructions.
It was coincident (that) Zinaida met her future husband in Paris.
What a coincidence that Zinaida met her future husband in Paris.

2) When we talk about the weather It has been foggy today.
Today it was foggy.
It has been snowing here since 2 o’clock.
It has been snowing since 2 o'clock.

3) When we ask for the exact time -What is the time?
What time is it?
-It is 23.30 sharp.
Exactly twenty three thirty.

4) When we describe places (terrains)
It is always calm and beautiful here at the lake.
Here by the lake it is always quiet and beautiful.

5) When we use phrases like it is becoming/ it is going to...
It is going to be boring at Rubik’s party.
Rubek's party promises to be boring.
It is becoming less and less interesting film to watch on TV. There are less and less interesting movies to watch on TV.

There

Used when there is a combination: there + be (is, are, will be, have/has/had been, was, were):

1) When we say that something exists somewhere (is, exists, is located)
There is wooden old church in my village.
In my village there is an old wooden church.

2) When we indicate the presence of something, someone
I ‘m sure there was some people at the restaurant.
I'm sure there were several people outside the restaurant.

3) When we indicate that something is happening or will happen in the future
There was a wedding here 3 hours ago.
There was a wedding here 3 hours ago.

If there is an enumeration in the sentence, then in the phrases there is / are be consistent in number with the first noun.
There was his aunt, two cousins ​​and Granny at my last birthday party. My birthday party last year was attended by his uncle, two cousins ​​and grandmother.

Today I'm ho body would like to talk aboutThis, that, these, thoseThere are often cases when students, even with a very good knowledge of English grammar, get confused with demonstrative pronouns:this, that, these, those- This is a common mistake, but don’t think that you don’t need to pay attention to it. This error often appears when you translate sentences with pronouns from Russian into English.These four words can be classified according to 2 criteria: distance And quantity. Let's consider the distance. Take a look at the plate below. You will see that pronounsthis And thesecan be used, if there is a conversation about personalities and whether things, who are close to the speaker. Let's take an example, this newspaper (this newspaper), these newspapers (these newspapers).That And those – Can be used when talking about something or someone locatedfar away, far away from the one who speaks. For example, that book (that book), those book s (those books).Let's talk about numbers(sg. - the singular - singular number , pl. - plural - plural). The pronouns this and that are used with singular nouns - this pear(this pear) that pear(that pear), and these and those - in the plural - these pears(these pears) those pears(those pears).

Particular attention should be paid to the pronunciation of the demonstrative pronouns this and these. These two sounds are very similar. Now repeat several times to feel the difference between [??s] (“s”) and [?i:z] (like the “and” in the word “needles”).

Don't forget what after these and thosegood to usepluralize a noun by adding the ending -s or -es ( these shops s those bench es).

It's time to check how clear my explanation is to you :) Translate into English:

1. this man

2. these houses

3. those fruits

4. these lamps

5. that city

I have no doubt thateveryone coped with this an easy task. Then, how would you say in English such a sentence (note, NOT a phrase): “This is a hotel, and that is a restaurant”? That's right, after the words this and that we use the verb to be in the singular: “This is a hotel, and that is a restaurant.” Say hotel and restaurant in the plural. It should be like this: “These are hotels, and those are reataurants.” - verb to be in the plural (These are hotels, and then restaurants.)

We fix:

1. These are magazines, and this is an ABC book.

2. This is my job, otherwise it is your responsibility.

3. These are our envelopes, and this is his letter.

4. This is her white bag, and that is her coat.

5. This is the student, and this is the teacher.

Interrogative forms with this, that, these, those

Continuing to consider topic demonstrative pronouns, we will touch onquestionmeaningful sentences. Before asking “What is this?” in English, determine s , a singular or plural noun will be in the answer. Because your question and answer must match in number. For example, if there are several oranges , then the question “What is this?” will sound: “What are these?”, and not “What’s this?”, because the answer will be: "These are orange s.”

We train:

1. - What is this? - This is money.

2. - What is this? - This is the door.

3. - What is it (there)? - That sweets .

4. - What is it (there)? - T am balls.

Now you will no longer have confusion with this, that, these, those!

Teacher at the online school "Multiglot"
Stefania Annenkova
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