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

Lesson 15: Demonstratives 'this' & 'that'

In English, we use special "pointing words" to show where things are. These words are called demonstratives¹.

Today, we will learn the two demonstratives we use for a single person or thing: this and that.

Using 'This' (for something NEAR)

We use this to point² to one thing that is near³ to us. You can usually touch it.

• This is my pen. (The pen is in your hand)
• This coffee is delicious. (The cup is in front of you)
• I live in this house. (You are standing in or just outside the house)

Using 'That' (for something FAR)

We use that to point to one thing that is far⁴ from us.

• That is a big boat. (The boat is on the river, away from you)
• That building across the street is a hotel.
• Look at that mountain. It's Bokor Mountain.

Summary Table

This table makes the rule easy to remember.

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

Asking Questions with 'This' and 'That'

You can also use these words to ask questions.

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 Quiz: 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

Homework: 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.

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Sentence 1 (This): ________________________________

Sentence 2 (This): ________________________________

Sentence 3 (That): ________________________________

Sentence 4 (That): ________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Demonstrative: (Noun) - សព្វនាមចង្អុល - A "pointing word" that shows which person or thing is being referred to. ↩
2. Point: (Verb) - ចង្អុល - To show someone where something is by holding out your finger. ↩
3. Near: (Adjective) - ជិត - A short distance away. ↩
4. Far: (Adjective) - ឆ្ងាយ - A long distance away. ↩