Grammar: ✨ Grammar F: 🧩 Parts of Speech - Basics (A1) - Lesson 15: Demonstratives 'this' & 'that'

Grammar: Demonstratives

A1 Lesson 15: Using 'this' & 'that'

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use "this" for things that are near and "that" for things that are far.

Near vs. Far

In English, we use special "pointing words" called demonstratives. The two words for single things are this and that. The only difference is distance.

📍 Near (Here)

We use this for one thing that is close to us.

Example: This is my pen.

👉 Far (There)

We use that for one thing that is not close to us.

Example: That is a boat.

The Grammar Rule 📖

Summary of Rules

Pointing Word	Distance	Example
This	Near	This is my chair.
That	Far	That is the market.

Asking Questions

You can also use these words to ask questions about things around you.

You: (pointing to a building far away) What is that?

Friend: That is the old cinema.

You: (pointing to a fruit in your hand) And what is this?

Friend: This is a rambutan.

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Choose 'this' or 'that'

Choose the correct word to complete the sentences.

1. (The book is in your hand) ___ is my book.
   → This
2. Look at the bird in the tree over there. ___ is a beautiful bird.
   → That
3. Is ___ your moto parked across the street?
   → that
4. I am eating some crab. ___ crab is very fresh.
   → This

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Look Around You

Look around the room you are in now. Write two sentences using 'this' for things near you, and two sentences using 'that' for things far from you.

Key Vocabulary

• Demonstrative (Noun) | សព្វនាមចង្អុល
  A "pointing word" that shows which person or thing is being referred to.
• Near (Adjective) | ជិត
  A short distance away.
• Far (Adjective) | ឆ្ងាយ
  A long distance away.