This/That/These/Those - Difference, Use, Rules & Worksheet

Demonstrative Pronouns: What They Are and How They Work?

Table of content

1. What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

2. How to use Demonstrative pronouns?

3. How Demonstrative Pronouns Work?

4. Demonstrative Pronouns (This, That, These, Those) Worksheet

5. This/That/These/Those FAQs

Definition:

A demonstrative pronoun is a type of pronoun that is used to point to specific things or people within a sentence.

These pronouns indicate whether the noun being referred to is near or far in distance or time from the speaker or listener. Demonstrative pronouns include words like "this," "that," "these," and "those."

1. What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

What They Are: Demonstrative pronouns are words that point to specific things or people in a sentence. They replace nouns to avoid repetition and make our language more efficient. We use them to demonstrate (show) something.  
There are four main demonstrative pronouns: "this," "that," "these," and "those." Each one has a specific role in pointing out things or people.  
Learn how to use demonstrative pronouns effectively with our comprehensive guide. Understand the differences between 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' with clear examples and usage tips. Start improving your English skills today!  
Demonstrative pronouns might sound like a mouthful, but they're actually pretty simple once you get the hang of them. Let's break it down together!

Here are the basic definitions of each demonstrative pronoun:
1. This: Refers to a singular noun that is near in distance or time to the speaker.

Example: "This book is interesting."

2. That: Refers to a singular noun that is far in distance or time from the speaker.

Example: "That car belongs to my neighbor."

3. These: Refers to plural nouns that are near in distance or time to the speaker.

Example: "These shoes are too tight."

4. Those: Refers to plural nouns that are far in distance or time from the speaker.

Example: "Those birds are flying south for the winter."

Demonstrative pronouns help to avoid repetition in sentences by replacing specific nouns that have already been mentioned or are understood from the context. They also help to clarify which specific thing or person is being referred to within a conversation or text.

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2. How to use Demonstrative pronouns? 

They're super helpful when we're talking about things and we want to be clear about which thing we mean. Let's break it down real simple:

1. This: 

We use "this" when we're talking about something that's close by. Like if I'm holding a pencil, I could say, "This pencil is yellow."

2. That: 

Now, "that" is for stuff that's a bit farther away. So if I point to a tree across the street, I might say, "That tree is big."

3. These: 

"These" is for more than one thing that's close by. So if I'm holding two pencils, I could say, "These pencils are sharp."

4. Those: 

And finally, "those" is for more than one thing that's farther away. If I'm talking about books on a shelf across the room, I might say, "Those books look interesting."

Easy peasy, right? Just remember, "this" and "these" are for things close by, and "that" and "those" are for things farther away. Practice using them, and you'll get the hang of it in no time!

Difference between this and that : This vs That

1. This - One & Near (Singular) 

e.g. This is my bag.

2. That - One & Away (Singular) 

e.g. That is not his car.

Difference between these and those : These vs Those

1. These - Many & Near (Plural) 

e.g. These are my friends.

2. Those - Many & away (Plural) 

e.g. Those are his books.

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3. How Demonstrative Pronouns Work?

How They Work: Demonstrative pronouns help us avoid repeating ourselves and add clarity to our sentences. Instead of saying "The book is on the table" and then "The book is big," we can simply say "This book is big" to refer to the book on the

Demonstrative pronouns examples

1. This is my favorite book.
2. That is a beautiful sunset.
3. These are the keys to the car.
4. Those are the houses we visited last week.
5. This cake tastes delicious.
6. Can you pass me that pen?
7. These flowers are blooming beautifully.
8. Those shoes are too big for me.
9. This laptop belongs to Sarah.
10. Can you see those mountains in the distance?

So, there you have it! Demonstrative pronouns are handy little words that help us communicate more effectively by pointing out specific things or people. With a bit of practice, you'll be using them like a pro in no time!

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4. Demonstrative Pronouns (This, That, These, Those) Worksheet

Instructions:

• Read each sentence carefully.
• Choose the appropriate demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, those) to fill in the blanks.

Questions:

1. _______ is my favorite book.
2. Look at _______ cute puppy!
3. I want to buy _______ new shoes.
4. _______ are the best cookies I've ever tasted!
5. Can you pass me _______ red pen, please?
6. _______ flowers in the garden smell wonderful.
7. _______ are my friends from school.
8. I can't believe _______ movie made me cry.
9. I need to return _______ library books tomorrow.
10. Look at _______ clouds in the sky!

Answer Key:

1. This
2. That
3. These
4. These
5. That
6. These
7. Those
8. That
9. these
10. those

This/That/These/Those FAQs

1. What are "this," "that," "these," and "those"? 

"This," "that," "these," and "those" are demonstrative pronouns and adjectives used to indicate specific people, places, or things. They help point out and specify which noun is being referred to.

2. How do you use "this" and "that"? 

"This" is used to refer to something that is close to the speaker, while "that" is used to refer to something that is farther away. Example: "This book is interesting" (nearby), "That book on the shelf is interesting" (farther away).

3. How do you use "these" and "those"? 

"These" is the plural form of "this" and is used for multiple items that are close to the speaker. "Those" is the plural form of "that" and is used for multiple items that are farther away. Example: "These apples are fresh" (nearby), "Those apples on the tree are fresh" (farther away).

4. Can "this" and "that" be used as both pronouns and adjectives? 

Yes, "this" and "that" can function as both pronouns and adjectives. As pronouns: "This is my friend." As adjectives: "This car is new." As pronouns: "That is my house." As adjectives: "That house is mine."

5. When do you use "this" and "these" versus "that" and "those"? 

Use "this" and "these" for items that are physically close or recently mentioned. Use "that" and "those" for items that are farther away or mentioned earlier. Example: "I like this pen" (near). "I like those pens over there" (far).

6. How are "this" and "that" used in time expressions? 

"This" is used for present or recent times, while "that" is used for past times. Example: "This morning I had breakfast" (today), "That day was special" (past).

7. Can "this," "that," "these," and "those" refer to abstract concepts? 

Yes, they can refer to abstract concepts or ideas. Example: "This is a difficult decision" (current situation), "Those were the best days of my life" (past experiences).

8. How do "this" and "that" work in conversations? 

In conversations, "this" can introduce a new topic or something close in context. "That" often refers to something already mentioned or understood. Example: "This is what I think" (new idea), "That’s what I meant" (previous point).

9. Are "this" and "that" always singular, and "these" and "those" always plural? 

"This" and "that" are singular, while "these" and "those" are plural. Example: "This is my book" (one book), "These are my books" (multiple books).

10. How do I practice using "this," "that," "these," and "those" correctly?

 Practice by observing their use in reading materials, using them in sentences, and asking for feedback. Pay attention to the context and proximity of the items being referred to.