Unit 73

this/that/these/those

Grammar
Examples
Exercises

A. this / that / these / those

this picture
(= this picture here)
these flowers
(= these flowers here)
that picture
(= that picture there)
those people
(= those people there)

B. We use this/that/these/those with a noun (this picture / that girl etc.) or without a noun:

  • This hotel is expensive but it's very nice.
  • 'Who's that girl?' 'I don't know.'
  • Do you like these shoes? I bought them last week.
  • Those apples look nice. Can I have one?
  • This is a nice hotel but it's very expensive.
  • 'Excuse me, is this your bag?' 'Oh yes, thank you.'
  • Who's that? (= Who is that person?)
  • Which shoes do you like most? These or those?

C. that = something that has happened:

  • 'I'm sorry I forgot to phone you.' 'That's all right.'
  • That was a really nice meal. Thank you very much.

D. that = what somebody has just said:

  • 'You're a teacher, aren't you?' 'Yes, that's right.'
  • 'Martin has got a new job.' 'Has he? I didn't know that.'
  • 'I'm going on holiday next week.' 'Oh, that's nice.'

We use this is ... and is that ...? on the telephone:

  • Hello, this is David. (this = the speaker)
  • Is that Sarah? (that = the other person)

We use this is ... to introduce people:

  • A: Brian, this is Chris.
  • B: Hello, Chris – pleased to meet you.
  • C: Hello.

this / these (near)

  • this picture
  • these flowers
  • This hotel is expensive.
  • These shoes

that / those (far)

  • that picture
  • those people
  • That girl
  • Those apples

that = happened / said

  • That's all right.
  • That's right.
  • That's nice.

this is ... / is that ...?

  • Hello, this is David.
  • Is that Sarah?
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73.1 Complete the sentences. Use this/that/these/those + these words:
birds
house
plates
postcards
seat
shoes
Do you like these shoes?
1 these shoes
2 Who lives in ?
3 How much are ?
4 Look at .
5 is free.
6 Excuse me, is dirty?
73.2 Write questions: Is this/that your ... ? or Are these/those your ... ?
1 Is this your bag?
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
73.3 Complete the sentences with this is or that's or that.
1 A: I'm sorry I'm late.
B: That's all right.
2 A: I can't come to the party tomorrow.
B: Oh, a pity. Why not?
3 A: David.
B: Hello, David.
4 A: (on the telephone) Sue.
B: Hello, Sue. How are you?
5 A: You're lazy.
B: not true!
6 A: Jill plays the piano very well.
B: Really? I didn't know .
7 A: Mark meets Paul's sister (Ann):
B: Mark: Hello, Ann.
C: Paul: Mark, my sister, Ann.
8 A: I'm sorry I was angry yesterday.
B: OK. Forget it!
A: all right.