This or these?

Sometimes it's difficult, even for advanced speakers, to use 'this' and 'these' correctly.  

Use: We use this and these for things that are near us

Remember:

Some nouns don't have a plural form and they are called 'uncountable nouns'. Examples of uncountable nouns

are information, furniture and information.

If you have an uncountable noun, you need to use 'this'. Here are some examples:

• This information is very surprising
• Do you like this music?
• Did you do this research?

As you know, we usually add -s, to make nouns plural. However, this is not always the case. Remember that there

are some irregular plural nouns.

For example:

One child, two children

• This is my child
• These children are so energetic!

One person, two people

• This person was here first
• These people are waiting

One tooth, two teeth

• This tooth is sore
• These teeth are clean!

Exercise

Fill the gap with this or these

1. ______ children speak English.

2. I like ______ music.

3. ______ car is expensive.

4. Do you understand ______ words?

5. We don't need ______ dictionary

6. ______ dolls are very cute

7. Robert rarely uses ______ computer.

8. Do you like ______ wine?

9. Somebody should clean ______ things.

10,______ books are easy.

11. Do you think ______ information is helpful?

12. Do you know ______ people?

13. Have you finished with ______ scissors?

14. Are ______ glasses clean?

Listen to the recording for the answers

Answers

1. These children speak English.

2. I like this music.

3. This car is expensive.

4. Do you understand these words?

5. We don't need this dictionary

6. These dolls are very cute

7. Robert rarely uses this computer.

8. Do you like this wine?

9. Somebody should clean these things.

10, These books are easy.

11. Do you think this information is helpful?

12. Do you know these people?

13. Have you finished with these scissors?

14. Are these glasses clean?