English learning the basics this / that / these / those
What will I learn from the English lesson learning basics words this / that / these / those?
During this English lesson you will start learning how to use the words this / that / these / those and what the meaning if each word is. The lesson will then show examples of how to use each word in a sentence.
What does each word mean?
This=> An object near you / thing near you / A Person near you
These => An object by near you / thing by near you / A Person by near you
That => An object far away from you / thing far away from you/ A Person far away from you
Those => An object far away from you / thing far away from you / A Person far away from you
Examples of how to use each
This=> An object near you / thing near you / A Person near you
Use this to tell when something is close to the speaker or object / thing.
 |
What's this? This is a book |
 |
This glass is empty |  |
This computer is really old and slow now I need to buy a new one |
This => singular (singular = 1)
These => An object by near you / thing by near you / A Person by near you
Use these to tell when something is close to the speaker or object / thing.
 |
These clothes are mine |
 |
These books are to help me study |  |
These children have been dancing to my singing all morning |
These => plural (plural = more than 1)
That => An object far away from you / thing far away from you/ A Person far away from you
Use that to tell when something is far from the speaker or object / thing.
 |
That is my school bus I run or I will miss catching it |
 |
That aeroplane is very high in the sky |
|
That is my sons computer he use's it to do is homework and browse the internet |
That => singular (singular = 1)
Those => An object far away from you / thing far away from you / A Person far away from you
Use those to tell when something is far from the speaker or object / thing.
| |
Those children over there look to be having a great time |
|
Those books he is carrying must be very heavy |
|
Those clothes need washing and ironing before we go on holiday. |
Those => plural (plural = more than 1)
Contracted that with the verb be
You will find word "that" is very often contracted with the singular form of the verb "be"
That is a car. = That's a car.
That is my husband, Mr Bean. = That's my husband, Me Bean.
Why contracted "that" with the singular form of the verb "be"? (lesson on verb be click on link)
When talking with someone else "That's" sounds a lot better, That's my husband, Mr Bean. Than That is my husband, Mr Bean.
Try saying both a loud and see the difference.
"That" can only be singular it is impossible to contracted in to the plural form: ** That're (BIG NO) **
Can this, these, and those take contractions?
It is impossible for this, these, and those to take any form of contractions.
This and that can also be used with one.
This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are more commonly used alone.
I want this one. I want these. (not these ones)
I'll take that one. I'll take those.
Using this and that on the telephone
When talking on the telephone, this and that are used differently in the UK than America when identifying callers.
Mr Bean : Hello Mr Bean speaking.
Sales person : Hello, would you be interested in buying some of our products we sell
Mr Bean : Who is that?
Mr Bean : Who is this? (American)
Sales person : This is Mr.Jones from hair and beauty products Company.
Example number 2
Mr Jones : Hi Mr Bean. Long time no see!
Mr Bean : Is that Mr Bean? What a pleasant surprise how are you?
Mr Bean : Is this Mr Bean? What a pleasant surprise how are you? (American)
