Common mistake: “This shoes are nice.” — Correct: “These shoes are nice.”
We use this/these for what is near and that/those for what is far; this/that are singular and these/those are plural.
Near / Far · Singular / Plural
Cerca
Lejos
Singular
this
that
Plural
these
those
This is my book, and these are my pens.
That house is big, and those cars are fast.
This is not my bag. These are not my keys.
That isn't Sofía's house, and those aren't her shoes.
Is this your pen? Are these your books?
Is that your car? Are those your friends?
Is this your phone? Yes, it is.
Are those your keys? No, they aren't.
Practice
___ shoes here are new. (near, plural) (This, These, That)
Look at ___ mountain over there. (far, singular) (this, these, that)
'These' and 'those' are used with plural nouns.
___ apple in my hand is delicious. (near, singular)
___ birds in the sky are beautiful. (far, plural)
Unscramble: these, Are, shoes, your, ?
Find the mistake: Those car is expensive.
This book is interesting. — Make it plural (this -> these).
This is my pen. — Turn it into a question.
Is this your phone? (Answer: Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.)
Reading
Sofía is at the market. 'This fruit here is fresh,' says the seller. 'These mangoes are sweet, but those papayas over there are not ready.' Sofía asks, 'Is that papaya ripe?' 'No, it isn't,' he says. 'But these mangoes are perfect.' Sofía smiles: 'Then I want this mango, please.'