Do you ever point to something and say “this” or “those”? These words are called demonstrative pronouns. They help us show or point to a person, thing, or place clearly. In this blog post, you will learn what demonstrative pronouns are, when to use them, and how they work in daily English with simple explanations.
You may also need to learn more Types of Pronouns in English with their easy examples.
What are Demonstrative Pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are words we use to point out specific things or people. They show distance (near or far) and number (one or many).
Main Demonstrative Pronouns Are:
| Singular (One) | Plural (More than one) |
|---|---|
| This (near) | These (near) |
| That (far) | Those (far) |
Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns
→ This is my pencil. (one thing, near)
→ That is your book. (one thing, far)
→ These are fresh apples. (many things, near)
→ Those are her shoes. (many things, far)
How to Understand Them Easily
→ Use “this” and “these” when things are close to you.
→ Use “that” and “those” when things are far from you.
Simple Rules Chart
| Pronoun | Number | Distance | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| This | One | Near | This is my phone. |
| That | One | Far | That is her house. |
| These | Many | Near | These are my friends. |
| Those | Many | Far | Those are his bags. |
Use in Different Contexts
1. Pointing to Objects
→ This is a red pen.
→ Those are big mountains.
2. Talking About Time
→ That was a great day. (referring to past)
→ This is the best moment. (referring to now)
3. Introducing People or Things
→ This is my brother.
→ These are my classmates.
Sentences Using Demonstrative Pronouns
Here are 20 simple and clear sentences using demonstrative pronouns for everyday conversation:
- This is my favorite book.
- That looks like a good movie.
- These are my new shoes.
- Those were our old school uniforms.
- This is not what I ordered.
- That smells delicious!
- These are the keys you lost.
- Those are her paintings on the wall.
- This phone belongs to me.
- That tree is very tall.
- These cookies are fresh and warm.
- Those kids are playing in the park.
- This is where I live.
- That wasn’t very nice.
- These questions are easy to answer.
- Those animals live in the jungle.
- This isn’t my bag.
- That is your seat over there.
- These are the documents you asked for.
- Those shoes don’t fit me.
Short Tips to Remember
- This/These = Near
- That/Those = Far
- This/That = One
- These/Those = More than one
Practice Exercise – Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, or those) to complete each sentence.
- ______ is my laptop on the table.
- Look at ______ birds flying in the sky!
- Can you pass me ______ pen near you?
- ______ are my friends from school.
- I don’t like ______ kind of music.
- ______ apples taste so sweet.
- Is ______ your car outside the gate?
- I will never forget ______ day.
- ______ is my little brother.
- ______ flowers are very beautiful.
Answers Key
- This is my laptop on the table.
- Look at those birds flying in the sky!
- Can you pass me that pen near you?
- These are my friends from school.
- I don’t like that kind of music.
- These apples taste so sweet.
- Is that your car outside the gate?
- I will never forget that day.
- This is my little brother.
- Those flowers are very beautiful.
FAQs about Demonstrative Pronouns
Q1: What are Demonstrative Pronouns?
A: Demonstrative pronouns are words like this, that, these, and those used to point to specific people or things in a sentence. They show distance (near or far) and number (one or many).
Q2: What is the difference between “this” and “that”?
A: Use “this” for something close to you and “that” for something far from you.
Example:
→ This is my cup. (near)
→ That is your pen. (far)
Q3: When do we use “these” and “those”?
A: Use “these” for many things near you, and “those” for many things far from you.
Example:
→ These are my shoes.
→ Those are your books.
Q4: Are Demonstrative Pronouns and Demonstrative Adjectives the same?
A: No. Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns, while demonstrative adjectives describe nouns.
Example:
→ Pronoun: This is tasty.
→ Adjective: This cake is tasty.
Q5: How can I practice Demonstrative Pronouns in daily life?
A: You can practice by using this, that, these, and those while talking about things you see, hold, or talk about every day. Point to items and make short sentences like “This is my bag” or “Those are nice shoes.”
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