Skip to content
Zorg Space Open the app

English grammar

this, that, these, those

A0 · Starter Referring to people and things Questions 10

The rule

English points with four words, and they split two ways at once: near or far, one or many. this one here · that one over there · these ones here · those ones over there. In a shop this is the whole vocabulary you need to buy something without knowing its name: I will take this one.

Pattern

near: this (one) · these (many) | far: that (one) · those (many)

Examples

  1. This is my son.

  2. How much is that bag?

  3. These trousers are too big.

  4. I take this one, please.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: this shoes

    Right: these shoes

    this is for one thing. More than one takes these.

  • Wrong: How much is this over there?

    Right: How much is that over there?

    Something away from you is that, not this.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    _____ trousers are too big.

    1. Those
    2. That
    3. This
    4. These
    Show answer

    Answer: D These trousers are too big.

    trousers is plural and in your hand → these.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    How much is _____ bag on the shelf?

    1. those
    2. this
    3. that
    4. these
    Show answer

    Answer: C How much is that bag on the shelf?

    One thing, away from you → that.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. This is my friend Nour.
    2. That is my friend Nour here.
    3. These is my friend Nour.
    4. Those is my friend Nour.
    Show answer

    Answer: A This is my friend Nour.

    Introducing a person next to you → this.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    _____ apples over there are cheaper.

    1. That
    2. These
    3. This
    4. Those
    Show answer

    Answer: D Those apples over there are cheaper.

    Plural and far → those.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I take these one, please.
    2. I take this, one please.
    3. I take this ones, please.
    4. I take this one, please.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I take this one, please.

    this one is how you buy something without its name.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Can I try _____ shoes on?

    1. that
    2. those
    3. this
    4. these
    Show answer

    Answer: D Can I try these shoes on?

    Shoes in your hand → these.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    This is my second year here

    Show answer

    Answer: This is my second year here.

    this can also open a sentence about now.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. This shoes are too small.
    2. Those shoes are too small.
    3. This shoe is too small.
    4. These shoes are too small.
    Show answer

    Answer: A This shoes are too small.

    A plural noun needs these or those.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Hello, here Sara Haddad.
    2. Hello, these is Sara Haddad.
    3. Hello, that is Sara Haddad.
    4. Hello, this is Sara Haddad.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Hello, this is Sara Haddad.

    On the phone, English says this is for yourself.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    Is _____ seat free? (pointing at the chair beside you)

    1. those
    2. that
    3. these
    4. this
    Show answer

    Answer: D Is this seat free? (pointing at the chair beside you)

    Right next to you → this.

Practise this lesson in Zorg Space

In the app every rule becomes interactive practice: instant correction, reviews at the moment you are about to forget, and progress you can see from level to level — free.

Start for free

More in «Referring to people and things»