 This, that, these, those. Demonstratives are used to point out a particular item. They are as follows. This indicates something close to the speaker. That indicates something away from the speaker. These indicates some things close to the speaker. Those indicates some things away from the speaker. Example. What is this? A pencil. What is that? A tree. Remember that demonstratives are used in reference to the speaker. What is near you may not be near me and vice versa. What's that you're holding? This is an egg. Here, catch. Oops. That's a mess. What are these? Those are slippers. Be sure to use this or that with singular and non-count nouns, and these or those with count nouns. This orange is sour. These oranges are sweet. That truck is full. Those trucks are empty. This milk is fresh. Sometimes demonstratives can be used as pronouns to refer to a particular noun. Give me that. Who's are these? Give me that spoon. Who's are these socks? This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are more commonly used alone. I want this one. I want these. I'll take that one. I'll take those. On the telephone, this and that are used differently in British and American English to identify callers. Example. Hello? I was wondering if you would be interested in buying. Who is this? This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme Brush Company. Hello? I was wondering if you would be interested in buying. Who is that? This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme Brush Company. Hi Jack, long time no see. Is this Bob? What a surprise. Hi Jack, long time no see. Is that Bob? What a surprise.