Difference Between This vs. Those

In English, we use special words called demonstratives to point to things. The most common ones are this, that, these, and those. While they seem simple, choosing between this and those can be tricky because it involves two different rules: how many things you are pointing to, and how far away they are.

In this guide, we will break down exactly when to use each word, focusing on the contrast between this (singular and near) and those (plural and far). By the end, you’ll be able to point to anything in English with perfect accuracy.

1. The Core Concept: Number and Distance

Demonstratives tell the listener two things: quantity (is it one or more than one?) and position (is it close to me or far away?). To choose the right word, you just need to answer two simple questions.

Demonstrative	Quantity	Distance	Example
This	Singular (1)	Near	This apple in my hand.
That	Singular (1)	Far	That bird in the tree.
These	Plural (2+)	Near	These books on my desk.
Those	Plural (2+)	Far	Those stars in the sky.

As you can see, this and those are different in both ways. This is for one thing close to you, while those is for multiple things far away.

Illustration explaining the difference between 'this' and 'those' showing a cat interacting with objects at different distances and quantities.

A quick visual guide: Singular/Plural vs Near/Far comparison in a 2x2 grid.

2. When to Use "This"

We use this for a single object, person, or idea that is physically close to us or very recent in time. It represents the "here and now." When you use "this," it often implies that the object is within your personal space—something you could reach out and touch or something that is currently the main focus of your conversation.

Proximity and Time

The use of this isn't just about physical distance; it's also about emotional or temporal closeness. For example, if you are introducing a friend standing next to you, or talking about a problem you are currently facing, "this" is the correct choice.

"This coffee is delicious." (You are holding the cup in your hand)
"I love this song." (The music is playing right now)
"This is my friend, Sarah." (Sarah is standing right beside you)
"I'm really busy this week." (The current week you are living in)

In writing, "this" is also used to refer back to the exact sentence or idea you just mentioned. For example: "The team worked late to finish the project. This effort led to their success." Here, "this" points directly to the effort mentioned in the previous sentence.

3. When to Use "Those"

While "this" is for the near and singular, those is for the far and plural. We use it for multiple objects or people that are physically far away, or for events that happened in the distant past. It creates a sense of "there and then," putting distance between the speaker and the subjects.

This demonstrative is essential for pointing out groups of things that are out of reach, such as birds in the sky or cars in a distant parking lot.

Illustration explaining 'those' showing a cat character pointing excitedly at a group of delicious apples far away.

Those: Multiple objects at a distance.

The "Pointing" Rule

If you have to point your finger across a room, a street, or even a long period of time, and there are multiple things you are pointing at, those is your best friend. It helps the listener look away from you and toward the subject.

"Can you see those mountains?" (They are many miles away on the horizon)
"I really miss those old days." (The days are far back in your memories)
"Who are those people over there?" (A group of people across the park)
"Where did you get those shoes?" (You are looking at shoes on someone else's feet)

A common mistake is using "those" for things that are close by. Remember, if you are holding three books, you say "these books." If the books are on a shelf across the room, only then do you say "those books." It's all about the gap between you and the objects.

4. Comparison: This vs. Those

Let’s compare this and those directly to see how the meaning changes. When you switch between these two, you aren't just changing the amount of things; you are also repositioning yourself in the world of the conversation. Imagine you are standing in a large public park.

Near / Sing

"I like this flower." (You are pointing to one flower right at your feet. It's unique and touchable.)

Far / Plur

"I like those flowers." (You are pointing to a group of flowers on the other side of a lake. They are distant and numerous.)

Notice how Scenario A feels intimate and focused on one specific item close to you, while Scenario B feels observant of a group at a distance. Here is a quick mental checklist to help you choose between them:

Question	Answer for "This"	Answer for "Those"
How many?	Just One (Singular)	Two or more (Plural)
Where is it?	Right here (Near)	Over there (Far)
Can I touch it?	Yes, usually	No, you must point
Verb to use?	Is (This is...)	Are (Those are...)

Think of it like a camera lens. This is a macro shot focusing on something close and detailed. Those is a wide-angle shot looking at a group of things in the landscape. By mastering this mental shift, you'll stop hesitating and start speaking with true native-like confidence.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many learners get confused when the noun doesn't end in 's' but is still plural, or when talking about abstract ideas.

Irregular Plurals: "These child" is wrong. It should be "This child" (singular near) or "Those children" (plural far).
Time Reference: We use "this" for the present ("this week") and "those" for the distant past ("those weeks we spent in London").
Agreement: Always match the demonstrative to the verb. "This is..." vs "Those are..."

6. Practice: Check Your Knowledge

Choose "This" or "Those"

"Look at ___ clouds! They look like white sheep." (The clouds are in the sky)
"___ sandwich is the best I've ever had." (You are eating it)
"Do you remember ___ old movies we used to watch?" (In the past)
"___ is my favorite chair." (You are sitting in it)

Answers: 1. Those / 2. This / 3. Those / 4. This

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between this and those is a key step in expressing distance and quantity clearly. By mastering these demonstratives, you gain more precision in your daily English conversations. Keep practicing, and observe how often these small words help you point out and describe the world around you.