“This” is used for one person or thing, while “these” is used for two or more people or things. This simple difference in number explains most cases where people wonder whether to use these or this.
Both words are demonstratives, meaning they point to a particular person, thing, place, or idea.
Their common synonyms include words such as that, those, one, and ones, depending on the sentence. Their closest opposites in demonstrative use are that for “this” and those for “these.”
The confusion usually happens when speakers decide between a singular and plural noun.
In this guide, you will learn the exact difference between this and these, see natural examples from everyday communication, discover common mistakes, and learn a simple trick that makes the choice almost automatic.
Quick Answer
“This” refers to one person, thing, or idea, while “these” refers to two or more. Both are demonstrative words, but they differ in number.
| WordNumberExample | ||
| This | Singular | This book is useful. |
| These | Plural | These books are useful. |
| This | One nearby idea/thing | This is my phone. |
| These | Multiple nearby things | These are my phones. |
What Does “This” Mean?
“This” is a singular demonstrative word. It points to one person, object, place, or idea that is usually close to the speaker or relevant to the current situation.
For example:
- This book belongs to me.
- This car is very comfortable.
- This idea could work.
- This is my favorite song.
Notice that this works with a singular noun. You would not normally say “this books” because books is plural.
“This” can also point to an idea rather than a physical object. For example, someone might say, “This is why I called you.” Here, “this” refers to the situation or reason being discussed.
What Does “These” Mean?
“These” is the plural form used to point to two or more people, objects, places, or ideas.
Examples include:
- These books are expensive.
- These shoes are comfortable.
- These ideas deserve attention.
- These are my keys.
The important clue is the noun that follows the demonstrative. A plural noun normally needs these, not this.
Compare:
- This apple is fresh.
- These apples are fresh.
The change from one apple to several apples also changes this to these.
“These” vs “This”: Key Differences
The main difference between these or this is grammatical number.
This = singular
These = plural
There is also a difference in pronunciation. “This” generally sounds like /ðɪs/, while “these” sounds like /ðiːz/.
Consider these pairs:
- This house → These houses
- This student → These students
- This question → These questions
- This problem → These problems
The words can also function differently depending on the sentence. Before a noun, they act as determiners: this phone and these phones. When they stand alone, they act as pronouns: This is mine and These are mine.
Synonyms of “This” and “These”
There is no single synonym that can replace this or these in every sentence. The best alternative depends on what the speaker means.
Possible alternatives include:
- This one → one particular item
- These ones → several particular items
- The following → useful in formal writing
- The present → formal contexts
- That → one item farther away
- Those → multiple items farther away
For example:
This document explains the policy.
In a formal context, you might write:
The following document explains the policy.
However, everyday English usually prefers this or these because they sound more natural and direct.
Antonyms of “This” and “These”
The most useful contrasting words are that and those.
The basic pattern is:
- This → one, generally near
- These → more than one, generally near
- That → one, generally farther away
- Those → more than one, generally farther away
For example:
This shirt is mine.
That shirt is yours.
Similarly:
These shoes are new.
Those shoes are old.
The contrast is therefore based on two ideas: number and distance.
Common Mistakes People Make
People often mix up these words because they focus on the object being discussed rather than whether the noun is singular or plural.
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage |
| “These book is interesting.” | “This book is interesting.” |
| “This books are expensive.” | “These books are expensive.” |
| “These is my favorite.” | “This is my favorite.” |
| “This are the documents.” | “These are the documents.” |
| “These kind of problems are common.” | “These kinds of problems are common.” |
| “This kinds of mistakes happen often.” | “These kinds of mistakes happen often.” |
A particularly common pattern is “these kind of”. Since these is plural, the noun kinds should normally be plural as well:
These kinds of questions are common.
In casual speech, however, you may hear “these kind of” frequently. Formal writing should use the grammatically consistent form.
Real-Life Examples in Sentences
In a Formal Email
- This: “This document contains the requested information.”
- These: “These documents contain the requested information.”
- This: “Please review this proposal before Friday.”
- These: “Please review these proposals before Friday.”
In a Text Message
- This: “I really like this one.”
- These: “These are the ones I bought.”
- This: “Can you check this for me?”
- These: “Can you check these for me?”
On Social Media
- This: “This photo brings back so many memories.”
- These: “These photos are from our last trip.”
- This: “This is exactly what I needed today.”
- These: “These moments make life special.”
In a Book or Article
- This: “This example shows how the process works.”
- These: “These examples demonstrate the main differences.”
- This: “This argument deserves further discussion.”
- These: “These arguments support the proposed conclusion.”
Origin and Etymology
“This” and “these” have very old roots in English. They developed from forms used in Old English and related Germanic languages.
“This” became the familiar singular form used to identify something close to the speaker. “These” developed as its plural counterpart.
English has preserved this basic distinction for centuries, although pronunciation and spelling have changed over time.
The same grammatical idea appears in other Germanic languages, which shows that the distinction between singular and plural demonstratives is not a modern English invention.
Regional and Cultural Usage Differences
The basic rule for this and these is the same in both American and British English.
American English:
This car is fast.
These cars are fast.
British English:
This car is fast.
These cars are fast.
There is no major US-versus-UK spelling difference here. The important distinction is grammatical rather than regional.
However, conversational English sometimes contains informal constructions such as “these kind of things.” This can be heard across different English-speaking communities, even though careful formal writing generally prefers “these kinds of things.”
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | This | These |
| Number | Singular | Plural |
| Refers to | One | Two or more |
| Example noun | This car | These cars |
| Verb with standalone form | This is | These are |
| Common contrast | That | Those |
| Example | This idea works. | These ideas work. |
The fastest way to decide between these or this is to look at the noun immediately after the word.
If it is singular, choose this. If it is plural, choose these.
Usage Trend Analysis
The confusion between this and these is largely caused by a mismatch between meaning and grammar. Speakers may be thinking about a group as one general concept while the grammar treats the noun as plural.
For example, a person may say:
“These information…”
The speaker may mentally treat “information” as several pieces of information. But information is normally an uncountable noun, so standard English uses:
“This information…”
Another reason for confusion is that spoken English reduces grammatical signals. When people speak quickly, the final sounds in words may be less noticeable, making this and these easier to confuse for learners.
Digital communication adds another layer. Text messages and social media often prioritize speed over grammatical accuracy, so incorrect combinations can spread through repeated informal exposure.
The most reliable mental strategy is not to memorize isolated phrases. Instead, identify the number of the noun. Once you see “book” versus “books,” the correct demonstrative becomes much easier to choose.
Expert Tips to Remember the Difference
Use these quick techniques:
- One = this
Think: this book. - More than one = these
Think: these books. - Check the noun ending
A plural -s often signals that these is needed. - Check the verb
This is is singular.
These are is plural. - Remember the four-word pattern
This → that
These → those - Watch uncountable nouns
Words such as information, advice, furniture, and equipment usually take this, not these, when used as a general noun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “these or this” for one thing?
Use this for one thing. For example, “This book is mine.”
Is “these” plural or singular?
These is plural. Use it when referring to two or more people, objects, or ideas.
Should I say “this are” or “these are”?
Use “these are.” For example, “These are my keys.”
Is it “this kind” or “these kinds”?
Use “this kind” for one type and “these kinds” for multiple types.
What is the difference between this and these?
This is singular, while these is plural. Both usually point to something near the speaker or currently under discussion.
Conclusion
Choosing between these or this becomes simple once you focus on one question: How many things are you talking about? If you mean one person, object, or idea, use this. If you mean two or more, use these.
The distinction becomes especially clear when you pair each word with its matching verb. “This is” refers to one, while “these are” refers to several. The same pattern appears with nouns: this book but these books, this question but these questions.
Distance can also help you remember the larger demonstrative system. This and these generally point to something near or currently relevant, while that and those create a contrast involving greater distance.
Once you train yourself to check the noun’s number rather than relying only on how a sentence sounds, the choice becomes almost automatic. In everyday English, that small habit can prevent many common grammar mistakes.
I am James Clear, an author at Gramzzy.com. I enjoy sharing insights that make learning English grammar and writing more effective. My goal is to help readers build confidence in their communication skills through clear and actionable guidance.
