🅰️ Grammar · Articles & Determiners
This, That, These & Those
The simple map of near and far, one and many — so you always reach for the right word before a noun.
Grammar › Articles & Determiners › This, That, These & Those
The rule in one sentenceUse this and these for people or things close to you, and that and those for people or things further away — this/that are singular, these/those are plural.
What’s the difference?
These four little words work on two switches at the same time: near or far, and one or many. Get both switches right and the word chooses itself.
The near/far switch is about distance — physical, or sometimes just mental. If a film is playing on the screen right in front of you, it’s this film: This is one of the funniest scenes in Big (1988). If you’re talking about a film from years ago, or one that isn’t in front of you at all, it’s that film: That ending in Fallen Angels (1995) still puzzles first-time viewers.
🎬 Compare: “This film is incredible” (said while the film is actually playing) vs “That film changed cinema forever” (said about Like Someone in Love (2012), years after it was made — mentally distant, even in a film history class).
Same idea, different distance. Right in front of you takes “this”; far away in time or space takes “that”.
The one/many switch is simpler — it just tracks the noun. Singular nouns pair with this or that; plural nouns pair with these or those. This actor, Dick Van Dyke, starred in Mary Poppins (1964). These films by Abbas Kiarostami are still studied in film schools today.
The same near/far idea works with time, not just space. This Friday, the new restoration of Bedknobs and Broomsticks opens in cinemas talks about a moment close to now. That summer, back in 1960, Swiss Family Robinson hit cinemas talks about a moment that has closed and moved into the past — so it takes that, just like a place far away would.
All four words can also stand completely alone, without a noun after them, working as a pronoun: This is my favourite Studio Ghibli film. Those are the best special effects I’ve ever seen in a Marvel film.
How to build it
Near — this / these
This film, The Yearling (1946), won critical acclaim.
These effects in The NeverEnding Story (1984) still look charming today.
Far — that / those
That film, Caramel (2007), still earns praise for its ensemble cast.
Those long takes in Happy Together (1997) were shot largely in Buenos Aires.
When to use which
Use this / these when…
- It’s physically close: This poster on the wall is from Freaky Friday (1976).
- It’s happening now: This scene, right now, is the song sequence from Dev.D.
- You’re introducing something: This is the trailer for Pollyanna (1960).
- The time period isn’t finished: These are among the highlights of cinema this year so far, including The Parent Trap and new work from Jafar Panahi.
Use that / those when…
- It’s physically distant: That poster over there is for 2046 (2004).
- It’s already finished or in the past: That car chase in Bullitt (1968) set the standard for decades.
- You’re referring back to something already mentioned: Remember Old Yeller (1957)? That film is famous for its heartbreaking ending.
- You’re agreeing or reacting to something someone else said: “The ending of Groundhog Day shocked me.” “That was wild!”
Signal words
Certain time and place words almost always pair with one side of the near/far divide.
Near — this / these words
Far — that / those words
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
Common mistakes
❌ These film, Peter Pan (2003), was the first live-action adaptation of the story.
✅ This film, Peter Pan (2003), was the first live-action adaptation of the story.
“Film” is singular, so it needs “this”, not “these”.
❌ I loved this actors in Priscilla (2023).
✅ I loved these actors in Priscilla (2023).
“Actors” is plural, so it needs “these”, not “this”.
❌ (Pointing at the cinema screen showing The Muppet Movie) That was fantastic!
✅ (Pointing at the cinema screen showing The Muppet Movie) This was fantastic!
Something happening right in front of you needs “this”, not “that”.
❌ Do you remember this old film we watched last year, National Velvet (1944)?
✅ Do you remember that old film we watched last year, National Velvet (1944)?
Something from a finished, past moment needs “that”, not “this”.
Exceptions & tricky cases
A few uses don’t fit neatly into a distance diagram — worth learning on their own.
1. Introducing a title always uses “this”, even from a distance. A trailer voiceover opens with: “This is A Hero (2021).” A narrator opens the same way: “This is the story of Singin’ in the Rain (1952).”
2. “That” can mark something famous or already known, not just far away. That Jafar Panahi film can mean a specific, well-known work — Taxi Tehran (2015) or No Bears (2022) — even in a conversation happening right now.
3. Uncountable nouns pair with this/that, never these/those. This popcorn from the cinema in Chef (2014) smells amazing — “popcorn” has no plural form here, so it stays singular.
4. “That” can show emotional distance, not physical distance. I can’t believe that ending in May December! — the twist is being talked about, not literally far away, but “that” still signals surprise or reaction.
Practice: pick the right form
Eight quick questions. Pick the answer you’d actually say — you get the explanation either way.
1. ___ film, Brave (2012), is playing right now.
Something showing right now, close to you, takes “this”.
2. ___ costumes in Ella Enchanted won praise from critics.
“Costumes” is plural, so it needs “these”.
3. Do you remember ___ summer we watched Lassie Come Home at the drive-in?
A finished, past moment takes “that”.
4. A trailer voiceover opens with: “___ is A Hero (2021).”
Introducing a title always uses “this”, even in a voiceover.
5. ___ special effects, over there in the exhibition, are from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).
“Effects” is plural and physically distant (“over there”), so it needs “those”.
6. I can’t believe ___ twist ending in Certified Copy!
Reacting to a well-known moment often uses “that”, even in an excited sentence.
7. ___ popcorn from tonight’s Offside screening is too salty.
“Popcorn” is uncountable, so it always pairs with “this”, never “these”.
8. ___ actors, right here in the front row, star in All of Us Strangers.
“Actors” is plural and close (“right here”), so it needs “these”.
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