Demonstrative pronouns are words we use to point to things or people. In English, the main demonstrative pronouns are: this, that, these, those. They help us show where something is: near or far.
We use this for one thing that is near us.
Example: This is my book. (The book is close to me.)
We use that for one thing that is far from us.
Example: That is your house. (The house is far from me.)
We use these for more than one thing that is near us.
Example: These are my shoes. (The shoes are close to me.)
We use those for more than one thing that is far from us.
Example: Those are her bags. (The bags are far away.)
You can remember it like this:
- This / These = near
- That / Those = far
- This / That = singular (one thing)
- These / Those = plural (more than one thing)
Demonstrative Pronouns Table
| Demonstrative Pronouns | Example |
|---|---|
| this | This is my favorite book. |
| that | That is a beautiful painting. |
| these | These are my friends. |
| those | Those are the best cookies. |
Determiner or Pronoun?
Words like this, that, these, and those can be used as determiners or pronouns, depending on how they function in the sentence.
| Use | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Determiner | This book is amazing. | Comes before a noun (modifies book) |
| Pronoun | This is amazing. | Stands alone (replaces a noun) |
| Determiner | I don’t like those shoes. | Describes the noun shoes |
| Pronoun | I don’t like those. | Replaces the noun shoes |
If a noun follows the word, it’s a determiner. If it stands alone, it’s a pronoun. Here are some more examples to learn the difference between a determiner and a pronoun:
This is a small city. (pronoun) → This city is small. (determiner)
That is a big apple. (pronoun) → That apple is big. (determiner)
Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises
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