Skip to main content

this and that

Determiners or pronouns​

This/that/these/those are often called ‘demonstratives’ in grammars. They can be used as determiners at the beginning of noun phrases. (They are not adjectives, though they are sometimes called ‘demonstrative adjectives’ in older grammars and dictionaries.)

  • Look at that butterfly.
  • Let me show you these patterns.

They can also be used without nouns, as ‘demonstrative pronouns’.

  • Look at this.
  • That’s terrible!

Determiner and pronoun uses are both covered in this entry for convenience.

People and things​

This/that/these/those can be used as determiners with nouns that refer to either people or things.

  • this child
  • that house

But when they are used without nouns (‘pronoun’ use), this/that/these/those normally only refer to things.

  • This costs more than that. (but not This says he’s tired.)
  • Put those down – they’re dirty. (but not Tell those to go away.)

However, this, etc can be used without nouns for people when we say who the people are.

  • Hello. This is Elisabeth. Is that Ruth?
  • That looks like Mrs Walker.
  • Who’s that?
  • These are the Smiths.

Note also Those who … (see here) below).

note

For a similar use of it to refer to people, (see here).

The difference​

We use this/these for people and things which are close to the speaker.

  • This is very nice – can I have some more?
  • Get this cat off my shoulder.
  • I don’t know what I’m doing in this country. (not … in that country.)
  • Do you like these earrings? Joseph gave them to me.

We use that/those for people and things which are more distant from the speaker, or not present.

  • That smells nice – is it for lunch?
  • Get that cat off the piano.
  • All the time I was in that country I hated it.
  • I like those earrings. Where did you get them?

Time​

This/these can refer to situations and events which are going on or just about to start.

  • I like this music. What is it?
  • Listen to this. You’ll like it. (not Listen to that …)
  • Watch this.
  • This is a police message.

That/those can refer to situations and events which have just finished, or which are more distant in the past.

  • That was nice. What was it? (not This was nice …)
  • Did you see that?
  • Who said that?
  • Have you ever heard from that Scottish boy you used to go out with? (not … this Scottish boy you used to go out with.)

That can show that something has come to an end.

  • … and that’s how it happened.
  • ‘Anything else?’ ‘No, that’s all, thanks.’ (in a shop)
  • OK. That’s it. I’m leaving. It was nice knowing you.

Acceptance and rejection​

We sometimes use this/these to show acceptance or interest, and that/those to show dislike or rejection. Compare:

  • Now tell me about this new boyfriend of yours.
  • I don’t like that new boyfriend of yours.

On the telephone​

On the telephone, British people use this to identify themselves, and that to ask about the hearer’s identity.

  • Hello. This is Max. Is that Alex?

Americans can also use this to ask about the hearer’s identity.

  • Who is this?

that, those meaning ‘the one(s)’​

In a formal style, that and those can be used with a following description to mean ‘the one(s)’. Those who … means ‘the people who …’

  • A dog’s intelligence is much greater than that of a cat.
  • Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.

this and that meaning ‘so’​

In an informal style, this and that are often used with adjectives and adverbs in the same way as so.

  • I didn’t realise it was going to be this hot.
  • If your boyfriend’s that clever, why isn’t he rich?

In standard English, only so is used before a following clause.

  • It was so cold that I couldn’t feel my fingers. (not It was that cold that …)

Not all that can be used to mean ‘not very’.

  • ‘How was the play?’ ‘Not all that good.’

Other uses​

Note the special use of this (with no demonstrative meaning) in conversational story-telling.

  • There was this travelling salesman, you see. And he wanted …

That/those can suggest that an experience is familiar to everybody.

  • I can’t stand that perfume of hers.

This use is common in advertisements.

  • When you get that empty feeling – break for a snack.
  • Earn more money during those long winter evenings. Call …
note

The differences between this and that are similar to the differences between here and there (see here), come and go (see here) and bring and take (see here).

For this one, that one, etc, (see here).

For these and those with singular kind of, sort of, (see here).

For that which, (see here).