this, that, these, those
Pointing at things
- We use this, that, these, those to point at things.
- Near or far? One thing or many?
- This pen is mine. Those cars are fast.
This is my pen. That is your pen. Please do not take this one.
Señalar cosas
- Usamos this, that, these, those para señalar cosas.
- ¿Cerca o lejos? ¿Una cosa o muchas?
- This pen is mine. Those cars are fast.
This is my pen. That is your pen. Please do not take this one.
this and that (one thing)
- this = one thing near me.
- that = one thing far from me.
- This is my phone. That is your car.
this y that (una sola cosa)
- this = una cosa cerca de mí.
- that = una cosa lejos de mí.
- This is my phone. That is your car.
You are holding a pen. Which is best? · Estás sosteniendo un bolígrafo. ¿Cuál es la mejor opción?
Something near you → this: “This is a pen.” · Algo cerca de ti → this: “This is a pen.”
these and those (many things)
- these = things near me. those = things far away.
- These are my books. Those are her friends.
- They need a plural noun: these books.
these y those (muchas cosas)
- these = cosas cerca de mí. those = cosas lejos.
- These are my books. Those are her friends.
- Necesitan un sustantivo en plural: these books.
this, that, these or those? · ¿this, that, these o those?
Near or far? One or many? That picks the word. · ¿Cerca o lejos? ¿Uno o muchos? Eso determina la palabra.
Complete (far + plural): ___ are my shoes over there. · Completa (lejos + plural): ___ are my shoes over there.
Far + plural → those: “Those are my shoes.” · Lejos + plural → those: “Those are my shoes.”
Is this correct? “These book are new.” · ¿Es esto correcto? “These book are new.”
“these” needs a plural noun: “These books are new.” · “these” necesita un sustantivo plural: “These books are new.”
Translate into English: 那些是我的书。 · Traduce al inglés: 那些是我的书。
Far + plural → those + are + plural noun: “Those are my books.” · Lejos + plural → those + are + sustantivo plural: “Those are my books.”
with nouns
- They can come before a noun too: this book, those people.
- I like this song. Look at those birds.
con sustantivos
- También pueden ir antes de un sustantivo: this book, those people.
- I like this song. Look at those birds.
Common mistakes
- ❌ these book → ✓ these books — a plural noun after these / those.
- ❌ This books are mine. → ✓ These books are mine.
- On the phone, say: ✓ This is Tom. (not I am Tom)
Errores comunes
- ❌ these book → ✓ these books — un sustantivo plural después de these / those.
- ❌ This books are mine. → ✓ These books are mine.
- En el teléfono, se dice: ✓ This is Tom. (no I am Tom)
Match the situation to the right word. · Empareja la situación con la palabra correcta.
Near → this / these. Far → that / those. One → this / that. Many → these / those. · Cerca → this / these. Lejos → that / those. Uno → this / that. Muchos → these / those.
On the phone: “Hello, ___ is Anna.” · Por teléfono: “Hello, ___ is Anna.”
English says “This is Anna” on the phone. · En inglés se dice “This is Anna” por teléfono.
- Near: this (one) / these (many).
- Far: that (one) / those (many).
- these / those + a plural noun.
- Cerca: this (uno) / these (muchos).
- Lejos: that (uno) / those (muchos).
- these / those + un sustantivo en plural.
Look around the room. Write one sentence using “this”, “that”, “these” or “those”. · Mira alrededor de la habitación. Escribe una oración usando “this”, “that”, “these” o “those”.
Example: “These are my pens.” or “That is a window.” · Ejemplo: “These are my pens.” o “That is a window.”