this + plural noun + verb (these)

Using singular demonstratives (this/that) with plural nouns is a common slip: "This books are" mixes a singular pointer with a plural noun and so is ungrammatical in standard English.

Below: a crisp rule, plenty of wrong→right examples for work, school, and casual contexts, quick rewrites you can paste in, memory tricks, related errors, and a short grammar checklist.

Quick answer

Use this/that with singular nouns and these/those with plural nouns. Say "These books are," not "This books are."

this / that = singular (this book is / that folder is)
these / those = plural (these books are / those folders are)
Quick test: try replacing the phrase with "it is" or "they are"-if "they are" fits, use these; if "it is" fits, keep this.

Core explanation: the agreement error

'This' and 'that' point to one item; 'these' and 'those' point to more than one. "This books are" pairs a singular demonstrative with a plural noun, so it fails agreement. Also match the verb: singular nouns take "is," plural nouns take "are."

Match demonstrative to noun number: this/that = singular; these/those = plural.
Match verb to noun number: is (singular) vs are (plural).
Use the substitution test: try "it is" or "they are" to confirm.

Examples: clear wrong → right pairs

Read the right-hand sentence aloud to hear the natural phrasing.

Wrong: This books are overdue. →
Right: These books are overdue.
Wrong: This files are corrupted. →
Right: These files are corrupted.
Wrong: This photos aren't uploading. →
Right: These photos aren't uploading.
Wrong: This cookies were stale. →
Right: These cookies were stale.
Wrong: This lessons were helpful. →
Right: These lessons were helpful.
Wrong: This candidates have applied. →
Right: These candidates have applied.

Context examples: work, school, and casual

Copy these into emails, assignments, or messages.

Work - Wrong: This report are attached. →
Right: These reports are attached.
Work - Wrong: This files need approval. →
Right: These files need approval.
Work - Wrong: This guidelines aren't clear. →
Right: These guidelines aren't clear.
School - Wrong: This assignments were graded. →
Right: These assignments were graded.
School - Wrong: This chapters cover verbs. →
Right: These chapters cover verbs.
School - Wrong: This scores are posted. →
Right: These scores are posted.
Casual - Wrong: This shoes are comfy. →
Right: These shoes are comfy.
Casual - Wrong: This photos from the trip look great. →
Right: These photos from the trip look great.
Casual - Wrong: This ideas are hilarious. →
Right: These ideas are hilarious.

Rewrite help: quick repairs you can paste in

Fix "This X are" depending on meaning and noun type.

If the noun is plural: change this → these (keep are).
If the noun is singular or a mass noun: change are → is, or rephrase with plural words for plural meaning.
When unsure, use "the + plural noun" or "those + noun" to be safe.

Original: This books are in the back room. →
Rewrite: These books are in the back room.
Original: This documents are confidential; don't share. →
Rewrite: These documents are confidential; don't share.
Original: This homework are due Monday. → Rewrite options: This homework is due Monday. OR These homework assignments are due Monday.
Original: This furniture are old. → Rewrite options: This furniture is old. OR These pieces of furniture are old.
Original: This photos of the event are on my phone. →
Rewrite: These photos of the event are on my phone.

Real usage and tone: when it matters

Formal writing requires correct demonstrative-noun agreement. Casual speech may include nonstandard forms, but they aren't appropriate for professional or academic writing.

Formal: always fix demonstrative agreement (emails, reports, essays).
Casual: speakers sometimes use nonstandard forms in speech; avoid them in written text you want to sound professional.
Grammar tools flag "This books are"; accept suggestions that preserve meaning, and review style changes before applying.

Example - Work (formal): Change "This reports are attached" → "These reports are attached" to avoid appearing careless.
Example - Casual (informal): Friends may understand "This photos are great" in speech, but use "These photos are great" in captions and posts.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence: context usually makes the correct demonstrative obvious. Use the substitution test (it is / they are) if in doubt.

Memory trick: fast tests and mnemonics

Substitution test: if "they are" fits, use these; if "it is" fits, use this.
Finger trick: one finger = this; two fingers = these.
Sound mnemonic: "these" rhymes with "seas" (many) - think plural.

Check example: "This book is" → try "it is" (works) → keep this. "This books are" → try "they are" (works) → change to these.

Hyphenation, spacing and typography (very short)

Hyphenation and spacing don't change demonstratives. Keep spacing consistent so incorrect phrases remain visible to searches and tools.

Don't hyphenate demonstratives and nouns: write "these books", not "these-books".
Use single spaces after punctuation so "This books" is easier to spot.
Search your document for "This " or "this " followed by common plural nouns to find repeated errors quickly.
Usage: Correct: These 10 books are new. (no hyphen)

Grammar quick-reference: bookmark this

this / that = singular demonstratives → pair with singular nouns and "is".
these / those = plural demonstratives → pair with plural nouns and "are".
Mass nouns (information, furniture, homework) usually take singular demonstratives and verbs: "This information is helpful."
If meaning is unclear, rephrase: "the + plural noun" or "those + noun".
Usage: Correct: This information is helpful.
Correct: These items are helpful.

FAQ

Is "this books are" ever correct in standard English?

No. "This" is singular and must not modify a plural noun like "books." Use "These books are." Casual speech may include nonstandard forms, but they aren't correct in formal writing.

When should I use these vs those?

Both are plural. Use "these" for items that are near in space, time, or discourse; use "those" for items that are farther away. Example: "These books on my desk" vs "Those books on the shelf."

What about mass nouns like "homework" or "furniture"?

Mass nouns are usually singular: "This homework is due." If you mean separate units, pluralize the noun: "These homework assignments are due" or "These pieces of furniture are old."

How can I find repeated mistakes across a long document?

Search for "This " (capital T) or "this " (lowercase) followed by common plural nouns (files, reports, photos) using your editor's find. Many grammar tools can flag demonstrative agreement issues.

My grammar checker suggests changing "these" - should I always accept it?

Not always. Verify whether the suggestion fixes an agreement error or is a style change. Accept changes that preserve your meaning; review suggestions that alter tone or content.

Want a quick sentence check?

Paste a sentence into a grammar tool or use the substitution test (it / they) to confirm the correct demonstrative. For repeated fixes, search your document for "This " plus obvious plurals and repair them in bulk.