Pronouns
Concept: Usage of this, that, these, and those
Definition:
The words 'this, that, these, those' are used to replace a noun and point out to a subject. They are also known as demonstrative pronouns.
Usage of 'This' and 'These'
The word 'This'shows a singular thing. The word 'These' is used for any noun that is plural. It also signifies anything or anyone near us or can be used to describe the thing better.
Examples:
- This is my school.
- These are my friends, Nilu and Namrata.
- This is the city we have lived in for almost 30 years.
Usage of 'That' and 'Those'
The words 'That' and 'Those' are used to denote something which is at a distance. ‘That’ is used for singular instances and 'those' used in plural situations.
Examples:
- Whose car is that?
- That is a lake.
- Those are pretty expensive bags.
When are the words ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’ and ‘those’ used?
Common Mistakes
- 'This' is used with a singular thing and 'these' is used with plural ones. This/these indicate something or someone that is near us or for an introduction. It indicates the distance between the noun and the speaker. Do not use ‘these’ with singular verbs and ‘this’ with plural verbs.
- 'That' is used to denote singular things, and 'those' is used with plural words. It is used to show something at a distance.
- Usually ‘that’ is used as a substitute for athing, not for an animal or a person.
Examples:
Thisis my car.
These is my car.
These are my pets, Rosy and Robin.
This is my pets, Rosy and Robin.
Examples:
That is my book.
Those is my book.
Those
are the new books.
That are the new
books.
Example:
Q. Have you met Mr. Nitin Patel, the new manager?
A:He sits
in the last cabin.
A:That sits in
the last cabin.