English Grammar Guide: Demonstratives (This/That/These/Those), Possessives, and "There Is/Are"

Understanding how to point out specific objects, express ownership, and state existence are essential milestones in learning beginner English grammar. This comprehensive guide breaks down the critical differences between the demonstrative words "this," "that," "these," and "those," teaching you how physical distance dictates their use. You will also learn how to properly apply possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her) to indicate ownership without confusing them with pronouns. Furthermore, we explore how to declare that something exists using the phrases "there is" and "there are," including their negative and question forms. Finally, this lesson covers simple commands (the imperative mood), showing you how to give direct instructions and form negative commands effortlessly.

1. Demonstratives: This vs. That

In English, we use words called demonstratives to point out specific people, places, or things. The words this and that are used exclusively for singular nouns (just one item). The difference between them comes down to physical or temporal distance.

This: Used for a single item that is near you (you can touch it or it is right next to you). It is also used for things happening right now.
That: Used for a single item that is far from you (you have to point at it across the room or across town). It is also used for things that happened in the past.

Near (This): This apple in my hand is delicious.
Near (This): Who is this person standing next to me?

Far (That): That car across the street is very fast.
Far (That): Do you see that bird in the sky?

2. Plural Demonstratives: These vs. Those

When you are talking about plural nouns (two or more items), you cannot use "this" or "that." Instead, you must use their plural counterparts: these and those. The rules of distance remain exactly the same.

These: The plural form of "this." Used for multiple items that are near you.
Those: The plural form of "that." Used for multiple items that are far from you.

Near (These): These shoes I am wearing are very tight.
Near (These): Are these your papers on my desk?

Far (Those): Those mountains in the distance are beautiful.
Far (Those): Please bring me those boxes over there.

3. Possessive Adjectives (My, Your, His, Her)

Possessive adjectives are used to show ownership or possession—they tell us who something belongs to. Unlike possessive pronouns (like "mine" or "yours"), possessive adjectives must always go directly before a noun.

Here is the complete list of possessive adjectives paired with their corresponding subject pronouns:

Subject Pronoun	Possessive Adjective	Example Sentence
I	My	My phone is ringing.
You	Your	Is this your jacket?
He	His	John left his keys.
She	Her	Sarah loves her new job.
It	Its (no apostrophe!)	The dog wagged its tail.
We	Our	Our team won the game.
They	Their	The students opened their books.

Crucial Rule to Remember: Do not confuse its (possessive) with it's (a contraction of "it is").

4. Expressing Existence: There is / There are

When we want to say that something exists in a specific place, we use the phrases "there is" and "there are". The choice between the two depends entirely on the noun that comes immediately after the verb.

There is: Used with singular nouns (one item) and uncountable nouns (like water, air, information).
There are: Used with plural countable nouns (two or more items).

Forming Negatives and Questions

To make it negative, add not (or the contractions isn't / aren't). To ask a question, simply swap the order of the words to "Is there...?" or "Are there...?".

Singular Affirmative: There is a cat on the roof. (Contraction: There's a cat...)
Plural Affirmative: There are three apples on the table.

Negative: There isn't any milk left in the fridge.
Negative: There aren't any chairs in the room.

Question: Is there a bank near here?
Question: Are there many people at the party?

5. Simple Commands (The Imperative Mood)

When you want to give a direct instruction, an order, or a warning, you use the imperative mood. Forming simple commands in English is incredibly easy because you completely drop the subject (the word "you" is implied) and start the sentence directly with the base form of the verb.

Affirmative Commands

Start the sentence with the action verb.

Sit down, please.
Open your textbooks to page 4.
Listen carefully to the instructions.

Negative Commands

To tell someone not to do something, always begin the sentence with Do not (or the common contraction Don't), followed by the base verb.

Do not touch that hot stove!
Don't forget your umbrella.
Don't run in the hallways.

Suggested reading

Direct and Indirect Objects Explained