Pointing Something Out
This, That, These, Those
Use 'this' in the singular for one object or a noncount noun for something that is at hand, or 'here' - close to you.
This watchdog agency employs fourteen people.
This essential service requires a source of cheap oil.
Use 'these' for a plural number of objects that are at hand, or 'here' - close to you.
These ethnicity differences caused conflict.
These postal workers are attending a training course on workplace violence.
Use 'that' in the singular for one object or a noncount noun for something that is over there, or far from you.
Are you against that accounting policy?
The additional expenditures were necessary in order to support that project.
Use 'those' for a plural number of objects that are over there, or far from you.
Did we send those members an action alert?
The facilitator was paying enough attention to those questions.