This, That, These, Those – Use, Difference, Examples & Worksheets for Beginners

Demonstrative Pronouns: What They Are and How They Work?

Learning when to use this, that, these, and those can be tricky for beginners in English. But don’t worry — this simple guide will make it easy! These words are called demonstrative pronouns, and we use them to point to people or things. In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between this and that, how to use these and those correctly, and see lots of easy examples for everyday English. Whether you're speaking or writing, mastering these four words will instantly improve your English.

📘 Table of Contents

• 1. What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?
• 2. How to Use Demonstrative Pronouns?
• 3. How Demonstrative Pronouns Work?
• 4. Other Uses of This, That, These, and Those in English
• 5. Demonstrative Pronouns (This, That, These, Those) Worksheet
• 6. 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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See also:

1. 8 Books to improve English for beginners: Top-selling and useful books
2. Best Books To Improve English
3. 7 Popular Spoken English Books
4. 9 Vintage Children's Classics Books to Improve English: Fun and Easy-to-Read Stories for Beginners

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."

How to Use This, That, These, and Those – Explained for Beginners

Use of This, That, These, and Those

Word	Use For	Distance	Singular/Plural	Example
This	Something near	Close	Singular	This is my book.
That	Something far	Far	Singular	That is your pen.
These	Things near	Close	Plural	These are my shoes.
Those	Things far	Far	Plural	Those are your keys.

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

This, That, These, Those - 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. Other Uses of This, That, These, and Those in English

Besides pointing to objects or people based on distance and number, “this, that, these, and those” have other important uses in spoken and written English. These are often overlooked, but they show up frequently in real conversations, emails, stories, and explanations.

1. Referring to Ideas or Situations (Not Just Things)

You can use this, that, these, and those to talk about situations, actions, or ideas that have just been mentioned or are about to be explained.

Examples:

1. I forgot to pay the bill. That was careless of me.
2. She passed the exam! This is great news!
3. Don’t lie again. That kind of behavior is not acceptable.
4. I love morning walks. These are the best moments of my day.

2. Introducing People or Things (Spoken English)

We often use this or that to introduce someone or something in person or in a story.

Examples:

1. This is my friend, Rahul.
2. That was the time I realized my mistake.
3. This is the book I was telling you about.

Use “this is” when introducing something you’re currently talking about.

Use “that was” when referring to something in the past.

3. In Storytelling (Creating Interest or Drama)

Writers and speakers often use this or that to add emotion or highlight important parts of a story.

Examples:

1. That was the scariest night of my life.
2. This is what happened next...

4. Expressing Opinions or Feelings

We use this/that to show our reaction, emotion, or opinion about something.

Examples:

1. That sounds amazing!
2. This smells delicious.
3. Those were good times.
4. That makes me so happy.

5. In Written Communication (Emails, Texts)

In emails or messages, we often use this/that/these/those to refer to attachments, links, or topics we just discussed.

Examples:

1. Please find this document attached.
2. I agree with that point you mentioned earlier.
3. These are the key points from the meeting.

6. Using “That” to Emphasize or Add Information (Relative Pronouns)

Although this is more advanced, “that” is also used to join clauses and give more information.

Examples:

1. The book that I bought is amazing.
2. She’s the girl that won the contest.

Note: In these sentences, “that” is not a demonstrative pronoun. It's a relative pronoun.

See also: Pronoun

5. 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.

References:

1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Definitions and examples of demonstrative pronouns.
2. Cambridge English Dictionary: Detailed usage of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”
3. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): Grammar guides and resources.
4. Grammarly Blog: Insights into correct usage of demonstrative pronouns.
5. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: Comprehensive explanations and examples.
6. The Chicago Manual of Style: Guidelines on grammar and usage.
7. Strunk and White's The Elements of Style: Essential grammar rules.
8. BBC Learning English: Lessons on using demonstrative pronouns.
9. Collins English Dictionary: Examples and meanings of demonstrative pronouns.
10. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange: Community discussions and clarifications.