This vs That – Demonstratives in English

Demonstratives like this, that, these, and those help us point to people or things in English. They’re small words, but very important for clarity.

Use this to talk about one thing near you. For example: This is my phone (you’re holding it). Use that when something is farther away: That is my phone (it’s across the room).
When talking about more than one item, use these for things close to you: These are my phones. Use those for items farther away: Those are my phones.

This video shows each example visually and clearly, so you can understand and remember easily. Demonstratives are common in daily conversations, so mastering them helps you speak naturally and confidently.

Practice by pointing to real things around you and saying the correct demonstrative. The more you use them, the easier they become. Watch the video and follow along—it’s a simple but powerful step toward fluent English.