There is big difference between he-she and that, it and this, they and these-those. Only in Urdu and Hindi languages they mean same like in Hindi He means 'wo' and That also means 'wo', in Urdu he means 'wo' and that also means 'wo'. But their sense is different and it creates confusion, one does not know where to use he and where to use that. Both sound same, both are correct, both have same meaning.
But sense of both the sentences is different. Same is the case with they and those-these. Their Urdu Hindi meaning is 'wo'
Three of them sound same, their meanings are same but the sense they convey is different.
This and it also have same meanings but the sense they convey is different.
Let's discuss their distinguishing features and pros and cons, why they are different from one another.
To understand all of them it is necessary to learn Demonstrative Pronouns Demonstrative Pronouns point to some distinguished person, thing, activity or situation etc among others within one's sight.
This, that, these, those etc are demonstrative pronouns. They are used to point, spot or locate persons or things which are in the sight of a human being. In other words the things which are being pointed or spotted must be present and one can see them.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| This | These |
| That | Those |
This is used when the spotted things are near. 'This' is both pronoun and possessive adjective and it is also used for living and non-living thing. These is plural form of this.
That is used when the spotted things are far. 'That' is both pronoun and possessive adjective and it is also used for living and non-living thing. Those is plural form of that.
He, She, It and They are third person pronouns and they are used when persons and things are not present or out of sight. We talk about the things and persons not directly address these things or persons.
He or She is used when the thing or person being talked about is not present at the spot. That is used when thing or person being talked about is present on the spot or is in the sight.
They is used when the things or persons being talked about are not present at the spot. Those is used when things or persons being talked about are present on the spot or in the sight.
It is used when the non-living thing being talked about is not present at the spot. This is used when living or non-living thing or person being talked about is present near on the spot or is near in the sight.