First establish what you are pointing to
This, that, these and those can replace the name of a thing or person. The listener sees the object, follows your gesture or already knows what you mean, so you do not need to repeat its name every time.
This alone does not tell the listener whether you mean a phone, key or ticket. First make the reference clear: name the object, point to it or add a brief clarification.
Look at the cup in my hand. This is new.
Look at the cup in my hand. This is new.
This points to one already identified cup near the speaker; cup is not repeated.
See the two bags by the door? Those are heavy.
See the two bags by the door? Those are heavy.
The speaker is far from the door. Those refers to the two bags just mentioned.
A pronoun or a word before a noun?
Compare this phone with this in This is my phone. In the first case, this directly determines the noun phone. In the second, this independently takes the place of the object’s name.
A noun appearing later in the sentence does not stop the demonstrative being a pronoun. In This is a book, a book comes after is and identifies the object. In This book is new, this is directly connected to book.
Number and pronoun function are separate properties. This can be both singular and a pronoun; these can be a plural pronoun.
This book is new. This is a book.
This book is new. This is a book.
The first this precedes book; the second stands independently, while a book is part of the information after is.
I like these photos. I like these.
I like these photos. I like these.
In the second sentence, these replaces the name of photos that people can already see or are discussing.
Four forms: number and the speaker’s perspective
For one thing near us, we normally use this; for several, these. For one thing farther away, use that; for several, those. Judge closeness from the position of the person currently speaking.
In a simple scene, distance and number help choose the form. In real communication, closeness can also be conceptual: we highlight an object or refer back to what has just been said. It is not a measurement in metres.
Is indicates singular and are plural, but neither determines distance: both This is… and That is… are possible. Without a scene, a gap before are does not determine whether to choose these or those.
one nearby → this; one farther away → that; several nearby → these; several farther away → those
This is small, but that is large.
This is small, but that is large.
The speaker compares two boxes: one they are holding and another they point to in the distance.
These are clean. Those are dirty.
These are clean. Those are dirty.
The speaker first points to cups in front of them, then to cups at the other end of the kitchen.
Beyond This is…: subjects, objects and questions
When a demonstrative pronoun is the subject with be, match the number: this/that is, these/those are. In a question, be precedes the pronoun: Is that…? Are these…? In a negative, add not after be.
A pronoun can also be an object, the target of an action: I need this. I like those. Do not insert is or are before such a pronoun after like, need or want.
To ask what an object is, use What is this/that? or What are these/those? In the answer, you can name the object after be.
This/That + is…; These/Those + are…; I like/need/want + this/that/these/those.
Are these free? These are not free.
Are these free? These are not free.
The speaker points to several tickets nearby. Both sentences need are.
I need that. What is that?
I need that. What is that?
In the first sentence, that is the object of need; in the second, it appears in a question with is.
Introductions and telephone conversations
To introduce someone nearby, naturally say This is… followed by their name. To introduce a group, say These are my friends… or introduce each person separately.
At the start of a telephone conversation, This is… is a usual way to identify yourself. It works without a physical gesture. It’s… can also sound natural in conversation. If an exercise specifically requests a demonstrative pronoun, It’s… uses a different construction; it is not a grammatical error.
Do not use this/that for every later statement about someone. After an introduction, he, she or they is often appropriate for an ordinary description of the person.
This is my neighbour, Anna. She works here.
This is my neighbour, Anna. She works here.
This introduces the person; she continues the ordinary description of her.
These are my friends, Eva and Dan.
These are my friends, Eva and Dan.
The speaker introduces two friends together, so uses the plural.
Hello, this is Mark. Is Nina there?
Hello, this is Mark. Is Nina there?
Mark identifies himself on the phone. This belongs to an introduction formula here.
Referring to what was said and answering naturally
That can refer to a previous remark rather than a physical object: an idea, news or advice. The content of the previous remark makes the reference clear.
It and they often provide a neutral answer about an already identified object. After What are those?, you can answer They are keys. There is no need to repeat those in every sentence.
These/those highlight particular things more strongly; it/they can simply continue talking about them. Both choices can be grammatical. In an exercise, check the specific instruction: does it ask you to point something out using a demonstrative or simply to answer?
We can meet at the café. — That is a good idea.
We can meet at the café. — That is a good idea.
That refers to the suggestion of meeting, not a distant physical object.
What are those? — They are keys.
What are those? — They are keys.
The first speaker has already pointed to the objects. They refers back to them neutrally in the answer.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Those is expensive.
Correct:Those are expensive.
Those is plural, so it needs are, not is.
Incorrect:This are my key.
Correct:This is my key.
This refers to one key. Use is with the singular.
Incorrect:Are this your tickets?
Correct:Are these your tickets?
The speaker points to several separate tickets nearby and asks about them. Plural are does not agree with singular this; use these for the group.
Incorrect:I like are those.
Correct:I like those.
Those is the object after like. Adding are breaks the construction.