This and these point to things near you; that and those point to things far away, in the singular and the plural. These and those go with plural nouns and are: These are my keys. Those shoes are nice.
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CheatsheetA0–A1
Use
Near
Far
Before a singular noun
this bag
that bag
Before a plural noun
these shoes
those shoes
Alone, with is
This is my bag.
That is my bag.
Alone, with are
These are my keys.
Those are my shoes.
Introducing people
This is Ana.
—
On the phone
Hi, this is Tom.
Is that Ana? (US: Is this Ana?)
A1Instead of a known noun
I like this one.
I like that one.
A1Time: now / then
this morning
that day
A1Something just said or done
—
That's great!
OverviewA0
The four words never change for masculine or feminine: this man, this woman.
Form: before a noun or aloneA0–A1
Form
Example
+ singular noun
This bag is new.
+ plural noun
Those shoes are nice.
alone
This is my bag. / Those are my shoes.
A1+ one
I like that one.
this / that + singular noun + is; these / those + plural noun + are.
A1one replaces a singular noun already known: this one, that one.