This vs These: Difference and Comparison

Pronouns are an essential part of English vocabulary. They save us from repeating a name multiple times. They are alternatives to nouns, which can be used to exchange the noun. For this reason, correct applications of the pronoun make the sentence acceptable.

However, incorrect use of the pronouns can also create confusion. “This” and “These” may sound similar, but they have different meanings. These two words are used to portray the quantity of the object.

With the proper use of these two words, it is possible to glance at the contents available in the sentence. Whether single, multiple, or uncountable, numbers of objects can be easily expressed.

Key Takeaways

1. “This” is used to refer to a single object that is near the speaker or the subject.
2. “These” is used to refer to multiple objects that are near the speaker or the subject.
3. The difference between “this” and “these” is in the number of objects referred to.

This is These

This is used to refer to a single object which is in a near place and time to the subject. It can also use to refer to uncountable objects. For example, this is my book. These are used to refer to multiple objects that are in a near place and time to the subject. For example, these are 20 books.

“This” and “These” are considered demonstrative pronouns used to point to any particular object. They replace the noun for ease of conversation.

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	This	These
Number of letters	Four	Five
Pronoun	singular pronoun	plural pronoun
Pronunciation	Makes an “S” sound at the end.	Creates a “Z” sound at the end.
Rules of use	The word “This” is used to describe a single object located nearby. It can also be applied to those objects which are not countable.	The word “These” is used to describe multiple objects located nearby. It cannot be applied to those objects which are not countable.
Example	“This book is making me rethink my opinion.”	“These two books are making me rethink my opinion.”

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When to Use This?

“This” is a four-letter word and is considered a singular pronoun. According to English grammar rules, it is strictly exercised to depict a singular countable noun. At the time of use, it is required to determine that the number of the object doesn’t exceed more than one.

This countable noun can be any physical object like a car, house, animal, book, or toy.

Consider the following sentences to understand the application of the word “This”.

1. “This car is brand new.”
2. “This house is beautiful.”
3. “This dog is very obedient.”
4. “This book is making me rethink my opinion.”
5. “This toy is broken.”

Here the word “This” refers to a single object. At the time of application, the user must know the position of the object, which must be nearby to the user.

The word “This” can also be used for non-physical objects, which are non-countable. However, these objects must not have plural forms like time, emotion, water, tea, rice, etc. Here are some examples of the word “this” with non-plural objects.

1. “This tea is flavorful.”
2. “This type of hate is not good.”
3. “This water is cold.”
4. “This tea is quite refreshing.”
5. “This rice is overcooked.”

As an introductory word, “This” can be used in a sentence. As an example, consider the following sentences.

1. “This is my wife, Jaclyn.”
2. “This is my car.”

At the time of pronunciation, the word “This” makes an “S” sound.

 

When to Use These?

“These” is a five-letter word and is considered a plural pronoun. In an English sentence, this word is exercised to depict plural nouns, which are multiple and countable. At the time of application, it is required to determine that the objects must be more than one and under the countable limit.

The word “These” can be used as a plural noun where the objects are multiple, like cars, houses, animals, books, toys, etc.

Consider the following sentences to understand the application of the word “These”.

1. “These two cars are brand new.”
2. “These three houses are beautiful.”
3. “These four dogs are very obedient.”
4. “These two books are making me rethink my opinion.”
5. “These three toys are broken.”

In these sentences, the word “These” refers to multiple objects. At the time of application, the objects must be close to the user. However, “These” cannot be used for uncountable objects like water, tea, rice, etc.

The word “These” can also be used to introduce anything. As an example, consider the following sentences.

1. “These are my college mates, Dave and Lind.”
2. “These are the special crockery that we use on special occasions.”

At the time of pronunciation, the word “These” makes the “Z” sound.

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Main Differences Between This and These

1. The first difference between “This” and “These” is the number of letters. The word “This” contains four letters, and the word “These” contains five letters.
2. As a pronoun, the word “This” is a singular pronoun. But the word “These” is a plural pronoun.
3. At the time of pronunciation, these two words make two different sounds. The word “This” makes an “S” sound at the end. The term “These” makes a “Z” sound at the end.
4. The word “This” can be used to portray any single object. But the word “These” depicts multiple countable objects.
5. “This” can be used in a few sentences if the objects are multiple but uncountable, like water, tea, rice, etc. However, “These” cannot be used for these uncountable various objects.
6. As an example, in the sentence “This house is beautiful.” The user is referring to one house. Where in the sentence “These three houses are beautiful.” The user is referring to multiple houses.

References

1. https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/pronouns/types-of-pronouns.html
2. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/demonstrative-pronouns