Demonstrative Pronouns (This, That, These, Those): English Grammar Guide

Demonstrative pronouns are small but powerful words in English that help us point to specific people, objects, or ideas. Words like this, that, these, and those are used every day in conversation and writing. They make your communication clearer by identifying exactly what or whom you are talking about. Understanding how to use them properly is essential for fluency and accuracy in English.

What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are words that replace nouns and show which person or thing is being referred to. They demonstrate — or point out — something specific.

The four main demonstrative pronouns are:

• This (singular, near)

• That (singular, far)

• These (plural, near)

• Those (plural, far)

They are called “demonstrative” because they demonstrate or indicate something. The choice between them depends on number (singular or plural) and distance (near or far).

The Two Key Rules: Number and Distance

To choose the right demonstrative pronoun, remember these two questions:

1. Is the noun singular or plural?
   → “This” and “that” are singular.
   → “These” and “those” are plural.

2. Is it near or far from the speaker?
   → “This” and “these” refer to things near the speaker.
   → “That” and “those” refer to things far from the speaker.

Let’s explore each in more detail.

This

“This” is used for a singular noun that is close to the speaker in distance or time.

Examples:

• This is my phone. (The phone is near me.)

• This tastes delicious. (Food I’m currently eating.)

• This is my first time visiting Cebu. (Refers to the current experience.)

You can also use this to talk about the present moment or something happening right now:

• This is amazing!

• This feels strange.

Common Uses:

• To introduce people: This is my friend, Anna.

• To introduce topics in writing: This is what I believe about learning English.

That

“That” is used for a singular noun that is far from the speaker in distance or time.

Examples:

• That is your car over there. (The car is not close.)

• That was a great movie. (The movie happened in the past.)

• I can’t believe that happened! (Refers to a past event.)

Common Uses:

• To talk about something or someone not present: That sounds interesting.

• To recall something from the past: That was the best vacation ever!

These

“These” is the plural form of “this.” Use it when you’re talking about multiple things that are near you.

Examples:

• These are my books. (Books close to me.)

• These cookies are fresh. (Cookies nearby.)

• These are my classmates. (People standing with me.)

Common Uses:

• To introduce multiple people or objects: These are the reports you asked for.

• To describe current situations: These are tough times.

Those

“Those” is the plural form of “that.” Use it for multiple things that are far from you in distance or time.

Examples:

• Those are mountains in the distance.

• Those were the days when life was simpler.

• Those shoes don’t fit me anymore.

Common Uses:

• Referring to past experiences: Those were good memories.

• Talking about distant things: Those birds are flying so high.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives

It’s important to note the difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives.

So if the demonstrative word stands alone, it’s a pronoun.
If it modifies a noun, it’s an adjective.

Examples:

• Pronoun: That is expensive.

• Adjective: That bag is expensive.

Distance in Time and Ideas

Demonstrative pronouns aren’t just about physical distance. They can also indicate time or abstract ideas.

Distance in Time:

• This morning (close to now)

• That night (further in the past)

• These days (recent or current period)

• Those days (long ago)

Abstract Distance:

• This shows how much effort we put in. (Refers to something present or just mentioned.)

• That proves my point. (Refers to an earlier idea or something more remote.)

So “this” and “these” can also indicate current or upcoming events, while “that” and “those” often refer to past or distant ones.

Using Demonstrative Pronouns in Conversation

In spoken English, demonstrative pronouns are extremely common and often accompanied by gestures like pointing.

Examples:

• This is my seat. (Pointing to the seat beside you)

• That’s yours. (Pointing to something far away)

• These are mine.

• Those belong to the teacher.

They help make conversations clearer and more natural, especially when referring to physical objects.

Demonstrative Pronouns in Writing

In writing, demonstrative pronouns help with cohesion — connecting ideas and sentences smoothly.

Example:

• I studied English for five years. That was one of the best decisions I ever made.
  → “That” refers back to the previous sentence.

• The results are excellent. This shows that our method works.
  → “This” refers to the results just mentioned.

Be careful: in academic or formal writing, avoid using demonstratives like “this” or “that” without clearly indicating what they refer to. It can make your meaning unclear.

Common Mistakes with Demonstrative Pronouns

1. Mixing singular and plural

❌ These is my book.
✅ This is my book.

2. Forgetting agreement with distance

❌ That are my shoes.
✅ Those are my shoes.

3. Using “this” for something far away

❌ This is my car over there.
✅ That is my car over there.

4. Overusing demonstratives in writing

If every sentence starts with “This” or “That,” it may sound repetitive. Try replacing with “It,” “They,” or the specific noun.

Practice Sentences

Try completing these with the correct demonstrative pronoun:

1. _____ is my best friend.

2. _____ are the documents you requested.

3. I can’t believe _____ happened!

4. _____ looks delicious — can I try some?

5. _____ were the best years of my life.

Answers:

1. This

2. These

3. That

4. This

5. Those

Summary Table

Quick Tips for Mastery

• Use “this” and “these” when something is near (in space, time, or context).

• Use “that” and “those” when something is far (in space, time, or context).

• Always match singular/plural forms correctly.

• In writing, make sure each demonstrative clearly refers to a specific noun or idea.

• Practice pointing to objects while saying them — it helps reinforce the concept naturally.

Conclusion

Demonstrative pronouns — this, that, these, those — are essential for everyday English. They help you indicate exactly which person, thing, or idea you’re talking about, whether it’s near or far, singular or plural. By understanding how to use them accurately, you can make your English sound natural, clear, and confident.

Whether you’re showing something to a friend (“This is my new phone!”) or recalling memories (“Those were wonderful days.”), mastering demonstrative pronouns makes your speech and writing smoother and more precise.

What are demonstrative pronouns and why are they important?

Demonstrative pronouns—this, that, these, those—point to and replace specific nouns. They signal number (singular/plural) and distance (near/far), which helps listeners or readers identify exactly which person, thing, time, or idea you mean. Mastering them improves clarity, cohesion, and naturalness in both speech and writing.

How do I choose between “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those”?

Ask two questions: (1) Is the noun singular or plural? Use this/that for singular and these/those for plural. (2) Is it near or far from the speaker (physically, temporally, or conceptually)? Use this/these for near; that/those for far.

What is the difference between a demonstrative pronoun and a demonstrative adjective?

A demonstrative pronoun stands alone and replaces a noun: “This is heavy.” A demonstrative adjective modifies a noun: “This box is heavy.” If a noun follows the word, it’s an adjective; if not, it’s a pronoun.

Can demonstrative pronouns indicate time as well as space?

Yes. This and these often refer to the present or recent time (“These days are busy”), while that and those often refer to more distant time (“Those were the best years”). This temporal “distance” mirrors physical distance.

How are demonstratives used with abstract ideas or whole statements?

They can summarize or reference ideas: “We exceeded our targets. This proves the strategy works.” Here, this points to the idea in the previous sentence. Use this for the most recent or currently focused idea, and that for something earlier or less immediate.

What are common mistakes with demonstrative pronouns?

• Number disagreement: “These is my pen” ❌ → “This is my pen” ✅
• Distance mismatch: “This car over there” ❌ → “That car over there” ✅
• Ambiguity in writing: Using “This shows…” without a clear referent. Add a noun: “This result shows…”
• Overuse: Starting every sentence with “This/That.” Vary with “it/they” or repeat the specific noun.

Can I use demonstrative pronouns with uncountable nouns?

As pronouns, they generally replace a referent already understood: “Taste this.” When you need a noun, pair with a measure word: “This information is helpful,” “That advice changed everything.” For plural forms, use countable units: “These pieces of information.”

How do demonstratives work in conversation with gestures?

Spoken English frequently pairs demonstratives with pointing, showing, or eye gaze: “This is my seat” (tap the chair); “Those are the instructions on the wall.” Gestures help resolve ambiguity, so if you write instead of speak, be explicit in text.

What’s the difference between “this/that” and “here/there”?

This/that modify or replace nouns; here/there specify location. You can combine them when needed: “This book here,” “That box there.” In general, use demonstratives to point to things and adverbs to point to places.

When should I prefer “that” over “this” in writing?

Use that to refer to earlier or less immediate ideas, or to step back and evaluate: “The team missed two deadlines. That is unacceptable.” In contrast, use this to advance the current line of thought: “Revenue rose 15%. This suggests demand is returning.”

Is it okay to start sentences with “This” or “These”?

Yes, but ensure a clear referent. Prefer “This trend suggests…” over “This suggests…”. In academic or formal prose, add a clarifying noun (“This finding,” “This approach”) to prevent ambiguity and improve coherence.

How do demonstratives behave in relative clauses?

Demonstrative pronouns can serve as subjects or objects that are then further defined: “Those who arrive early get front-row seats.” Here, “those” is a determiner-like pronoun introducing a subset. In such patterns, the relative clause (“who arrive early”) identifies which people you mean.

Can demonstratives be stressed for emphasis?

In speech, stress adds contrast: “This is the solution (not that).” Emphasis highlights selection, contrast, or correction. In writing, you can mirror emphasis with italics or word order: “Only these are valid.” Use emphasis sparingly for clarity.

What are good classroom or self-study activities to practice?

1. Point-and-say: Place items near and far; label with this/that/these/those.
2. Picture descriptions: Write captions: “Those are mountains; this is a lake.”
3. Timeline sorting: Classify events as “these days” vs. “those days.”
4. Pronoun repair: Rewrite ambiguous “This shows…” as “This result shows…”

How do demonstratives aid cohesion between sentences?

They connect ideas across sentences by pointing backward or forward. Backward: “We met our goals. This demonstrates strong execution.” Forward (cataphoric use) is rarer but possible: “This is what I propose: extend the trial.” Clear demonstratives reduce repetition without losing precision.

Are there differences in register (formal vs. informal)?

All four forms are acceptable across registers, but ambiguity is less tolerated in formal writing. Prefer “this + noun” (“this evidence”) rather than a bare “this,” and ensure antecedents are unmistakable. In conversation, gestures and context fill gaps, so bare demonstratives are common and natural.

How do demonstratives interact with discourse distance?

Beyond physical or temporal distance, demonstratives encode psychological distance. Use that/those to signal detachment or criticism: “Those assumptions are risky.” Use this/these to align or endorse: “These insights are promising.” This nuance helps convey stance and tone.

Can “those” refer respectfully to people?

Yes. “Those who served deserve recognition.” It groups people by a shared attribute. Be careful with specificity and tone; if you mean a particular group present, add clarity (“Those of you in the front row”).

What are quick rules of thumb I can memorize?

• Near + singular: this (“This is my seat.”)
• Near + plural: these (“These are new.”)
• Far + singular: that (“That is your bus.”)
• Far + plural: those (“Those were great times.”)
• Add a clarifying noun in formal writing: “this result,” “that decision.”

Can you show minimal pairs that contrast near vs. far and singular vs. plural?

• This is my key. / That is my key. (near vs. far)
• These are my keys. / Those are my keys. (near vs. far, plural)
• This week is busy. / Those weeks were relaxing. (time distance + number)

How can I avoid overusing “this/that” in essays?

Vary your references. Replace some demonstratives with specific nouns (“this issue” → “the budget shortfall”), pronouns (“it/they”), or synonyms. Use transitions (“as a result,” “therefore”) to signal relationships instead of leaning solely on “this/that.” A mixed strategy improves readability and flow.

Do demonstratives affect verb agreement?

Yes, subject–verb agreement follows number: “This is…,” “These are…,” “That was…,” “Those were….” Keep tense consistent with time distance: past forms often pair naturally with that/those when referring to earlier events.

What short practice can I try now?

1. Fill in: “___ is my umbrella,” “___ are my notes,” “I remember ___ summer,” “___ days are intense.”
2. Rewrite to add clarity: “This shows we improved” → “This quarter’s data shows we improved.”
3. Contrast: Write two sentences that differ only in distance (“this/that”).

Suggested answers: 1) This, These, that, These. 2) Add a clarifying noun. 3) “This solution fits our needs. / That solution fits their needs.”