Common mistake 'this' vs. 'these'

this vs. these

One common mistake in English grammar is the incorrect use of "this" and "these". These pronouns are used to refer to something that has already been mentioned or is about to be mentioned. However, they differ in terms of number and should be used accordingly.

"This" is used to refer to something singular, while "these" is used to refer to something plural. Here are some examples to illustrate the correct usage:

Incorrect: This books are mine.
Correct: These books are mine.

In the incorrect example, "this" is used to refer to "books" which is plural. The correct usage would be to use "these" since "books" is plural.

Another common mistake is the omission of the possessive apostrophe before "this" or "these" when discussing possession. Here is an example to illustrate:

Incorrect: This car is mine.
Correct: This car is mine.

In the incorrect example, the possessive apostrophe is missing before "this". The correct usage would be "This car is mine."

Linguix Grammar Checker

A tool like Linguix Grammar Checker can be helpful in catching and correcting these common mistakes in English writing. It can provide suggestions and corrections for incorrect usage of "this" and "these" or any other grammatical errors.

'this' vs. 'these' mistake examples

Incorrect:
This years election will change everything.

Correct:
This year's|These years election will change everything.
Incorrect:
And this weeks platform update is a relatively small.

Correct:
And this week's|these weeks platform update is a relatively small.
Correct:
I suggested this years ago.
Correct:
Been working on this months now and am exasperated.

Incorrect:
If this errors are easy to fix...

Correct:
If these errors are easy to fix...
Correct:
If these errors are easy to fix...
Correct:
This forms a sharp contract with...
Correct:
I cannot lift this stone.
Correct:
This fish is big.
Correct:
I will do this afterwards.
Correct:
I should have done this years ago.
Correct:
Something about this concerns me.
Correct:
This class will be over in ten minutes.
Correct:
This takes place on shale or tarmac tracks – usually a...
Correct:
Since this affects your judgement.
Correct:
This addresses most major concerns.
Correct:
It is spreading to this floors' ceiling.
Correct:
Add "short" between "product" and "description", unless this causes a problem.

Incorrect:
I am not sure how much of these information is provided by the company.

Correct:
I am not sure how much of this information is provided by the company.
Correct:
The CAISO's Contracts group uses these information sheets to complete three original agreements for your signature.

Correct:
These are errors.
Incorrect:
These kind of errors are easy to fix.

Correct:
This kind|These kinds of errors are easy to fix.
Incorrect:
These error are easy to fix.

Correct:
This error|These errors are easy to fix.
Incorrect:
How is your life in America these day?

Correct:
How is your life in America this day|these days?
Incorrect:
Thank you in advance for these information.

Correct:
Thank you in advance for this information.
Incorrect:
Thanks Also, who will be handling and could provide these ID for the further months.

Correct:
Thanks Also, who will be handling and could provide this ID|these IDs|these ids for the further months.
Correct:
These people are amazing.
Correct:
What do you think about these two?
Correct:
Those standing were all men.
Correct:
I collected one of these yesterday.
Correct:
Then investigate these Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa recipes.
Correct:
Decorative motifs for these sandstone/mortar constructions, both cliff dwellings and...
Correct:
Explaining the behavior of these electron "orbits" was one of the...
Correct:
Of the venues used for these Olympics, the Kallimarmaro Stadium...
Correct:
This forms a sharp contract with...
Correct:
These eleven authors are right.
Correct:
Let's discuss these tomorrow.
Correct:
We make it a point to never support these if possible.
Correct:
These horror, comedy and mystery B-films were released by Monogram Pictures.
Correct:
Those illustrated are reminiscent of a circus top.
Correct:
These food storage workers are called repletes.
Correct:
After all these chest and abdominal operations, she looks as if she were in some kind of knife fight.
Correct:
I collected one of these yesterday.
Correct:
Decorative motifs for these sandstone/mortar constructions, both cliff dwellings and...
Correct:
Explaining the behavior of these electron "orbits" was one of the...
Correct:
Of the venues used for these Olympics, the Kallimarmaro Stadium...
Correct:
Those all can do it.
Correct:
Then investigate these Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa recipes.
Correct:
These life changing moments.
Correct:
These bonus Starpoints are in addition to the Starpoints you would normally earn as a member.
Correct:
These anime styled works have become defined as anime-influenced animation.
Correct:
These came for you.
Correct:
The simplest genophores are found in viruses: these DNA or RNA molecules are short linear or circular genophores that often lack structural proteins.
Correct:
To unsubscribe to these birthday messages, click here.

Incorrect:
This are errors.

Correct:
These are errors.

Correct:
These are errors.
Incorrect:
These was an error.

Correct:
This was an error.

Incorrect:
Feel free to extend those rule.

Correct:
Feel free to extend this rule|those rules.
Incorrect:
Is there a way to see what other device has those MAC address?

Correct:
Is there a way to see what other device has this MAC address|those MAC addresses?
Incorrect:
Tell me how to resolve these issue.

Correct:
Tell me how to resolve this issue|these issues.
Correct:
When will those ship?
Correct:
When do these count?
Correct:
How much do these cost?
Correct:
I hope these help.
Correct:
Hope those help.
Correct:
Please join us in wishing these groups success.
Correct:
Those colours clash.
Correct:
Are these open source?
Correct:
Notes on some of these relations follow:
Correct:
There is a significant overlap in the range of techniques and applications that these cover.
Correct:
I might use straps for these next time.
Correct:
(2004) Nicaragua: Those Passed By.
Correct:
Read Christopher Elliott's "The Travel Tightwad" to get to the bottom of secret surcharges that make those sales possible.
Correct:
I would like to pick other people from EGM and EIM and let some of these go.
Correct:
Cons: Size, that about it unless you consider the “worry” about why are these so cheep?
Correct:
Every once in a while you get to see the tip of the iceberg in all glory due to someone blatantly abusing those tools in ways apparent to those paying attention.
Correct:
I will make those change.

Incorrect:
Are this total installations?

Correct:
Are these total installations?
Correct:
Yanni is going to do this four times.
Correct:
I had this many long years ago.
Correct:
When I do this the GAE endpoints work perfectly.

Enhance Your English Writing Skills

Fix common errors and boost your confidence in every sentence.

Get started
for free

Related mistakes from category Grammar

Use the base form or the past tense with a plural noun hundreds of thousand (thousands of) users anymore (any more) ve didn't several other (others) good (well) according to knot (not) worse come to worse (worst) prostrate (prostate)