This, that, these and those

We use this and these for things near the speaker (this printout here). This goes with a singular or uncountable noun, e.g. this report. These goes with a plural noun, e.g. these results.

We can leave out the noun if the meaning is clear. I'm just having a look at this. That's nice, isn't it? Last month's figures were bad, but these are worse.

We use that and those for things further away (that table there). That goes with a singular or uncountable noun, e.g. that furniture. Those goes with a plural noun, e.g. those curtains.

B Places and people

When we are in a place or a situation, we use this (not that) to refer to it. There's a wonderful view from this office, just come to the window. This party isn't much fun, is it? Shall we go home?

We can use this to introduce people and that to identify people.

Jake, this is my friend Rita. That's Andrew over there. On the phone we can use this to say who we are and this or that to ask who the other person is.

Hello? This is Laura speaking. Who's this/that, please?

C Time

This/these can mean 'near in time' and that/those 'further away in time'. I'm working as a tourist guide this summer. I'm pretty busy these days. Do you remember that summer we all went to Spain? Those were the days. 1 can't see you on the third of July. I'm on holiday that week.

To refer back to something that has just happened or was just mentioned, we normally use that. What was that noise? ~ I didn't hear anything. Jessica is on a diet. That's why she doesn't want to eat out with us. I've lost my key. ~ Well, that's a silly thing to do.

To refer forward to something that is just going to happen or something that we are going to say, we uset This next programme should be quite interesting. I don't like to say this, but I'm not happy with the service here.

13 D this week, this year, etc

91 Exercises

1 This, that, these and those (A)

Write each of the words (this, that, these, those) in the correct place.

2 This, that, these and those (A)

Complete the sentences. Use this, that, these and those, and these nouns: car, dog, flowers, parcel, trees

► That car has crashed.

1 Would you like ….……………………..

2 I must post ……………………………..

3 The house is behind………………...

4 Whose is .................... ………………...

This, that, these and those (A-C)

Complete the conversations. Use this, that, these and those.

► Mark: Are we going out this evening?

Sarah: I can't really. I'll be working late at the office.

1 David: I hear you've got a new flat.

Rita: ................... 's right. I've just moved in.

2 Mike: What's the matter?

Harriet: It's..................... boots. They don't fit properly. They're hurting my feet.

3 Jessica: It's so boring here.

Rachel: I know. Nothing ever happens in.......................... place.

4 Emma: What's happened? You look terrible.

Vicky: You won't believe..................... , but I've just seen a ghost.

5 Laura: What kind of planes are ...................... ?

Trevor: I don't know. They're too far away to see properly.

6 Matthew: The match is three weeks from today.

Daniel: Sorry, I won't be able to play for the team. I'll be away all.…………… week.

7 Mark: Zedco. Can I help you?

Alan: Hello...................... is Alan. Can I speak to Fiona, please?

8 Daniel: I've had...................... bump on my head ever since someone threw a chair at me.

Natasha: Someone threw a chair at you?.......................... wasn't a very nice thing to do.

9 Mark: ................... seats aren't very comfortable, are they?

Sarah: No, I don't think I'll want to sit here very long.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 2082