The Differences between: This, These, That and Those

"This, these, that, and those" are the four demonstrative pronouns of English. They are also the demonstrative adjectives.

Demonstrative adjectives point at nouns in sentences. Like every other English word, these "demonstratives" have their distinct functions, but in this article, only their differences will be discussed.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "THIS" AND "THESE"

There is a sharp dichotomy between "this" and "these", but most persons always use them interchangeably. In simple terms, "this" is the singular form of "these". 

Examples

• This book is mine/This is my book.
• These books are mine/These are my book.

We use  "this" and "these" before nouns that are close(r) to us. Whereas "this" is used before a singular noun, "these" is used before a plural noun.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN "THAT" AND "THOSE"

Just as we have "this" as the singular form of "these", "that" is the singular form of "those". 

Examples

• That man is evil.
• Those men are evil.

READ ALSO: The different ways of expressing agreement HERE.

Also, "that" and "those" precede singular and plural nouns that are far from you. While "that" precedes a singular noun, "those" precedes plural nouns.

Examples

• Get me that bag.
• Get me those bags. 

From the foregoing, one can adequately state that the major difference between "this and these" and "that and those" is distance.