Mastering These Four: Your Friendly Guide To Demonstratives In English
Have you ever felt a little puzzled when someone points and says "look at these" or "what about that"? It's a common feeling, you know, because words that point can sometimes make us scratch our heads a bit. So, we're going to take a close look at "these four" special words that help us show exactly what we mean. They’re super useful for chatting about people, things, or even moments in time.
Learning how to use "this," "that," "these," and "those" can really help your English sound more natural and clear. Think about it, sometimes you want to talk about something right next to you, and other times, it's something further away. These words give us the tools to do just that, making our conversations flow better, you might say.
This discussion comes from the insights of an expert at the Institute of English Language in Bangkok, which, you know, gives us a really solid foundation. We'll explore what each of "these four" words does, how they work in different situations, and why knowing them well is a pretty big deal for anyone wanting to speak or write with more precision. It’s actually quite fascinating how much these little words can do.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Basics of Pointing Words
- Singular vs. Plural: Knowing the Numbers
- This and These: When Things Are Close
- Talking About Things Just Mentioned
- Using These for Shared Knowledge
- Comparing and Contrasting These Demonstratives
- Frequently Asked Questions About Demonstratives
- Putting It All Together: Your Next Steps
Understanding the Basics of Pointing Words
So, "this," "that," "these," and "those" are what we call demonstratives. They are, in a way, like little pointers that help us show exactly what person or thing we are talking about. It’s pretty simple when you think of them as guides for your listener or reader, telling them where to look or what to focus on. They really do make communication much clearer, don't they?
We use "this," "that," "these," and "those" all the time to point to people and things. Whether you're talking about a friend across the room or a book on the table right in front of you, these words come in handy. They help us separate one item from many, or one person from a crowd, which is a very practical use, actually.
For instance, if you're holding a pen, you might say "this pen." But if the pen is far away, you'd say "that pen." It's all about how close or far something is from you, the speaker. This basic idea helps set the stage for how all "these four" words function in our everyday chats and writings, you know.
- Farrah Fawcett In Playboy
- How Old Was Daniel Radcliffe In Goblet Of Fire
- Baylen Brees
- Dairy Queen Veterans Day
- Dave Grohl Net Worth 2024
Singular vs. Plural: Knowing the Numbers
One really important thing to remember about "these four" words is whether they talk about one thing or many. "This" and "that" are singular, meaning they refer to just one person or one item. For example, you'd say "this apple" if there's only one apple right here, or "that car" if there's just one car over there, in a way.
On the other hand, "these" and "those" are plural. They're for when you're talking about more than one person or more than one item. So, if you have a bunch of apples, you'd say "these apples." And if there are several cars in the distance, you'd refer to them as "those cars." It’s a pretty straightforward way to keep track of numbers, really.
This distinction between singular and plural is quite key because it helps you match your demonstrative word with the noun you're talking about. Getting this right makes your sentences sound correct and natural to other English speakers. It’s a fundamental part of how we use "these four" pointers, so it's worth getting comfortable with it.
This and These: When Things Are Close
"This" and "these" are the words we pick when we're talking about things that are near us, either in space or in time. Think of it like this: if you can easily reach out and touch something, or if an event just happened, you'll likely use "this" or "these." They really bring a sense of closeness to your words, which is quite helpful.
The words "this" and "these" are demonstratives, and that means they point to a specific noun in a sentence. They are similar because they refer to nouns that are near in space and time. So, if you're talking about the book in your hand, you'd say "this book." If you're talking about the shoes right by your feet, it's "these shoes." It's almost like a verbal gesture, you know.
They can be used in different ways when you are referring to people, things, situations, events, or periods of time. This flexibility makes them very versatile. For example, "this moment" refers to right now, and "these past few days" talks about a recent period. It's pretty cool how they adapt to various contexts, isn't it?
How This and These Work as Determiners
When "this" or "these" act as determiners, they come right before a noun and tell us which specific noun we're talking about. They're like adjectives in a way, giving us more information about the noun that follows. For example, in "this chair," "this" tells us exactly which chair you mean – the one close by. It's quite precise, actually.
Consider these examples: "This coffee tastes amazing!" Here, "this" points to the specific cup of coffee right in front of you. Or, "Are these keys yours?" In this case, "these" points to a group of keys that are near. It's about singling out items from a group, which is a very practical use for "these four" words.
Using them as determiners is perhaps the most common way you'll encounter "this" and "these." They help to make sentences clear and prevent any confusion about what you're referring to. It’s a bit like putting a spotlight on the particular item you want to highlight, you know, for everyone to see.
This and These as Pronouns
"This" and "these" can also stand in for nouns, acting as pronouns. When they do this, they don't have a noun immediately after them. Instead, they replace the noun entirely, assuming its role in the sentence. This makes sentences a little shorter and avoids repeating words, which is quite handy, really.
For example, if someone asks, "What is this?" while pointing to an unknown object, "this" is acting as a pronoun for the object. Or, if you're holding a box of chocolates and say, "These are delicious!" "these" replaces "these chocolates." It's a neat trick for making your language more concise, you might say.
Using "this" and "these" as pronouns is very common in spoken English, especially when the context is clear. You know, when everyone already understands what you're talking about. They help keep conversations natural and flowing, without needing to name the item every single time. It's a very efficient way to communicate, actually.
Talking About Things Just Mentioned
You can use "this" or "these" to refer to people, things, or events that have just been mentioned. This is a very smooth way to continue a conversation without repeating the full noun phrase. It helps connect ideas and sentences, making your speech or writing much more coherent, which is quite important.
For instance, imagine someone says, "I just finished reading a fantastic book." You could respond, "Oh, this sounds interesting!" Here, "this" refers back to "a fantastic book" without needing to say "the book" again. Or, if someone talks about "the new rules," you might say, "These are going to take some getting used to." "These" refers to "the new rules," you see.
This kind of usage is really helpful for keeping discussions natural and easy to follow. It’s a common feature of how we talk and write, allowing us to build on previous statements without sounding repetitive. It's almost like a linguistic shortcut, in a way, that keeps things moving along.
Using These for Shared Knowledge
You use "these" when you refer to something which you expect the person you are talking to to know about. This is particularly useful when you're both on the same page about a topic or situation. It's like an unspoken agreement that you both understand the context, which is quite a neat trick, actually.
For example, if you and a friend have been discussing a group of new students, you might say, "How are these new students settling in?" You use "these" because you both know exactly which students you're referring to. It's not just any students; it's the specific group you've been talking about. This shared understanding makes communication very efficient, you know.
Another way we use "these" is when we are checking that you are both thinking of the same person or thing. So, if you point to a group of papers and ask, "Are these the reports we need to sign?" you're confirming that you're both looking at the same set of documents. It's a way to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings, which is really valuable.
Comparing and Contrasting These Demonstratives
Understanding how "these four" demonstratives compare to each other is pretty important. While "this" and "these" are for things close by, "that" and "those" are for things further away. This simple distinction in distance is the core difference among them. It’s a bit like having a "near" button and a "far" button for your words, you might say.
Let's look at "this" versus "that." "This" is singular and near: "This phone in my hand." "That" is singular and far: "That phone on the counter over there." The choice depends entirely on how close the item is to the speaker. It’s a pretty clear distinction, actually, once you get the hang of it.
Now, for "these" versus "those." "These" is plural and near: "These books on my desk." "Those" is plural and far: "Those books on the top shelf." Again, it's about proximity, but for multiple items. The meaning of "these" is plural of "this," and "those" is plural of "that," so the relationships are quite logical, you know.
It's also worth noting how they compare to similar and commonly confused words. For example, people sometimes mix up "this" with "it." While "it" is a general pronoun for a thing, "this" specifically points to something. So, if you say "It is a good idea," it's general. But "This is a good idea" points to a specific idea you just mentioned. There’s a subtle but important difference, you see.
Another common comparison is "these" with "them." "Them" is a general object pronoun for multiple people or things. "These" is a demonstrative pronoun that points to specific multiple people or things. So, "I saw them" is general, but "I saw these" (referring to specific items nearby) is much more precise. It's almost like a spotlight versus a general light, in a way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Demonstratives
Can "these" be used for people?
Yes, absolutely! Just like "this," you can use "these" to refer to people. For example, if a group of friends just walked in, you might say, "These are my friends." Or, if you're introducing people, "These are the new team members." It's a perfectly natural way to point out a group of individuals who are near you, or who you've just mentioned, you know.
What's the difference between "this" and "these" in a sentence?
The main difference between "this" and "these" is the number. "This" is for one single item or person that is near you. For example, "This apple is red." "These" is for more than one item or person that is near you. So, you'd say, "These apples are red." It's all about whether you're talking about one or many, which is a pretty simple rule to remember, actually.
How do I know when to use "these" instead of "those"?
You choose between "these" and "those" based on how far away the items are from you. If the plural items are close enough for you to easily touch or are right in your immediate area, you use "these." If the plural items are further away, beyond your immediate reach, you use "those." Think of it as a near-or-far decision, you see. For instance, "These shoes here are comfortable," versus "Those shoes over there look expensive."
Putting It All Together: Your Next Steps
So, understanding "these four" demonstratives – "this," "that," "these," and "those" – really helps you speak and write English with more clarity. They are, you know, essential tools for pointing out exactly what you mean, whether it's something right in front of you or something a bit further away. Getting comfortable with their singular and plural forms, and knowing when to use them as determiners or pronouns, will make a real difference.
The insights from the Institute of English Language in Bangkok really highlight how versatile these words are for referring to people, things, situations, events, and even time periods. Remember, "these" is the plural form of "this," and they both relate to things that are near in space and time. Using "these" for things you expect others to know about is a very human way to connect in conversation, you know.
To really get a feel for "these four" words, try paying attention to how they're used in everyday conversations and in what you read. You could, for instance, try to use them more often in your own speaking and writing. Practice makes perfect, and the more you use them, the more natural they will feel. For more helpful tips on English grammar, you can Learn more about English grammar on our site, and to explore other tricky word comparisons, check out this page for more insights. Keep practicing, and you'll master "these four" in no time!
These Four Walls
These four Republican senators sink Matt Gaetz AG nomination. - The
These Four Women Are Keeping The Grand Ole Opry In Tune | 101.7 KSAM
