what are th rules for using "this," "these," "that," and "those,"?

Question

In Spanish, as in "este", "eso," etc, I kind of understand, but if anyone could expand on it, that would be well appreciated.

The Reference Section explains everything on Demonstrative Pronouns - I highly recommend it. - Mark-Baker, DIC 27, 2009

Answer 1

This= esto, that=eso, that over there=aquello. I think this is correct!!!!!

Answer 2

This brown cow is yours.(Pointing at the cow nearest you).

Not that black cow. (pointing to the cow farther away from you).

These cows are mine.( Pointing at the cow nearest you). Those cows are yours. (pointing to the cows farther away from you).

Incredible, I did not made any mistakes on the above listing. Why? because the editing tool is out of order. - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

Are you refering to "mother-in-laws"? jejeje - Mark-Baker, DIC 27, 2009

No sir, I am not talking about mothers in -laws - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

It was an example of how to use this,that ,those. Please forgive me, if I was not clear. - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

Answer 3

........................................This..................................................

Denoting (pointing)something nearer that or constrasting with something else.

These is the plural tense of this..............................................

...................................That.................................... pertaining to some person or thing previously mentioned,understood or specifically designated.

Those is the plural of that.

You didn't differentiate between ese y aquello which is what usually confuses students - 0074b507, DIC 27, 2009

The first sentence should read near than instead of nearer that- I was unable to edit my asnwer. - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

Something is wrong with the editig tool. - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

It is not clear if he wants the Spanish grammar or the English grammar. As far I know, there are people wanting to learn English thru this forum. - 00769608, DIC 27, 2009

Answer 4

This - near you (singular)

These - near you (plural)

That - away from you (singular)

Those - away from you (plural)

Answer 5

It depends on whether this, that, these and those are demonstrative adjectives or demonstrative pronouns.

that book=demonstrative adjective

Hand me that, please. =demonstrative pronoun