53 Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises Master This, That, These, and Those

Ever pointed at something and said “I want that one” or “This is perfect”? You’ve just used demonstrative pronouns! Let’s dive into demonstrative pronouns exercises that will help you master these pointing words. With 53 practical examples and clear rules, you’ll learn to use this, that, these, and those like a pro.

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are words we use to point to specific things. Think of them as verbal pointing fingers. They help us show which person, place, thing, or idea we’re talking about based on their distance from us (both in space and time).

The Four Demonstrative Pronouns

1. This (singular, near)
2. That (singular, far)
3. These (plural, near)
4. Those (plural, far)

Basic Rules for Using Demonstrative Pronouns

1. Distance Rule

• Use this/these for things that are close
• Use that/those for things that are far away

2. Number Rule

• Use this/that for singular items
• Use these/those for plural items

3. Time Reference

• Use this for present or upcoming time
• Use that for past time

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives

Remember:

• Demonstrative pronouns stand alone
• Demonstrative adjectives come before nouns

Example:

• Pronoun: “This is my favorite.”
• Adjective: “This book is my favorite.”

53 Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises in Context

Demonstrative Pronoun	Type	Context	Example Sentence
This	Near Singular	Present	This is exactly what I needed.
That	Far Singular	Past	That was the best movie ever.
These	Near Plural	Present	These are my new shoes.
Those	Far Plural	Past	Those were great times.
This	Near Singular	Choice	I’ll take this instead.
That	Far Singular	Reference	Is that what you meant?
These	Near Plural	Options	These will work perfectly.
Those	Far Plural	Memory	Remember those from last year?
This	Near Singular	Immediate	This feels right.
That	Far Singular	Distance	That looks interesting.
This	Near Singular	Current	This makes more sense.
That	Far Singular	Previous	That wasn’t my intention.
These	Near Plural	Available	These need cleaning.
Those	Far Plural	Past	Those were difficult times.
This	Near Singular	Present	This requires attention.
That	Far Singular	Referenced	That sounds familiar.
These	Near Plural	Current	These belong here.
Those	Far Plural	Previous	Those need replacing.
This	Near Singular	Immediate	This works better.
That	Far Singular	Distance	That seems correct.
These	Near Plural	Present	These are fresh.
Those	Far Plural	Past	Those were expensive.
This	Near Singular	Current	This feels heavy.
That	Far Singular	Previous	That was unexpected.
These	Near Plural	Available	These look nice.

 

Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises

FAQ Section

1. How do you identify demonstrative pronouns in a sentence?

To identify demonstrative pronouns, look for the words this, that, these, or those when they’re standing alone (not followed by a noun). For example:

• “This is my favorite.” (demonstrative pronoun)
• “This book is my favorite.” (demonstrative adjective)

The key is to check if the word is replacing a noun (pronoun) or describing one (adjective). If it’s standing alone and pointing to something, it’s a demonstrative pronoun.

2. What’s the difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives?

The main distinction lies in how they’re used in sentences:

• Demonstrative pronouns stand alone and replace nouns
• Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns and appear before them

Examples:

• Pronoun: “That was amazing.” (replaces a noun)
• Adjective: “That movie was amazing.” (describes a noun)

3. How do you know when to use ‘this’ vs ‘that’?

The choice between ‘this’ and ‘that’ depends on:

1. Physical distance: Use ‘this’ for things nearby, ‘that’ for things farther away
2. Time: Use ‘this’ for current/future events, ‘that’ for past events
3. Emotional distance: Use ‘this’ for things you feel connected to, ‘that’ for things you feel distant from

4. Can demonstrative pronouns be plural?

Yes! We use:

• ‘These’ as the plural form of ‘this’
• ‘Those’ as the plural form of ‘that’

The same rules about distance apply to the plural forms.

5. How are demonstrative pronouns used in formal writing?

In formal writing, demonstrative pronouns should:

1. Have clear antecedents (what they’re referring to)
2. Be used sparingly to maintain clarity
3. Avoid ambiguity about what’s being referenced
4. Follow standard distance and number rules

Conclusion

Mastering demonstrative pronouns exercises doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember the basic rules about distance and number, and practice using them in your daily conversations. These pointing words are essential tools for clear communication, helping you specify exactly what you’re talking about. Keep practicing with these examples, and you’ll be using demonstrative pronouns naturally in no time.