DEMONSTRATIVES

THIS vs. THESE

SINGULAR PLURAL

A / AN = ONE… NEVER USE “A / AN” IN PLURAL..

To determine if you use “A / An”, pay attention to the RULES FOR PLURAL:
pronunciation, no the writing. a. In general, we add “S”:
bookS telephoneS keyS lampS

A is used in singular when nouns begin with a consonant b. When nouns finish in S – SS – SH – CH – X – O – Z, add “ES”:
* Don’t forget to pronounce that syllable. Exception: “o”.
sound: dishES watchES volcanoES kissES
A door  Exceptions: Nouns that finish in “o” and refer to music have to
A house /jaus/ be used with “s”: radioS / pianoS.
A university /yuniversiti/
c. When nouns finish in a “Y” preceded by a consonant, drop it and add
“IES”:
citIES countrIES partIES ladIES
On the other hand, AN is used in singular when nouns begin
with a vowel sound: d. When nouns finish in F – FE, change that part by “VES”:
wolVES wiVES kniVES liVES
AN economist
AN apple  Exceptions: chefS / roofS / chiefS / handkerchiefS
AN hour /aur/
Nouns used ONLY in Plural Form (Personal pronoun: THEY):
pants trousers shorts
glasses sunglasses scissors
pliers pajamas headphones

Irregular Plurals:
person – people woman – women man – men
child – children foot – feet tooth – teeth
mouse – mice fish – fish

THIS (proximity) + IS(N’T) + A / AN NOUN IN SINGULAR. THESE (proximity) + ARE(N’T) + NOUN IN PLURAL.

E.g.: This is an outlet. E.g.: These are a scissors.

Wrong. Never use “a” in plural.

These are scissors.  Correct.

This isn’t a purse. It’s a backpack.

These aren’t notebooks. They’re books.

These are clocks.

This is a hairbrush.

These aren’t glasses. They’re sunglasses.

This isn’t a pen. It’s a pencil.

These are paper clips.

Yes / No Questions:

IS + THIS + A / AN NOUN IN SINGULAR ?

ARE + THESE + NOUN IN PLURAL ?

E.g.: Is this a calculator?

 No, it isn’t. It’s a cell phone.

Are these children?

 Yes, they are.
 Yes, they’re children.

Are these scarves?

 Yes, they are.
 Yes, they’re scarves.

Is this a chair?
 No, it isn’t. It’s a desk.

Are these pants?

 No, they aren’t. They’re dresses.

Is this an apple?
 No, it isn’t. This is an energy bar.
Information Question for Objects: What…?

WHAT + IS + THIS ?

WHAT + ARE + THESE ?

 What is = What’s

E.g.: What’s this?

 It’s an eye.

What are these?

 They’re blenders.

What’s this?
 It’s a microwave.

What are these?

 They’re energy bars.

What’s this?
 It’s a wastebasket.