Have you ever said This is my pen or Those are beautiful flowers?
If yes — you’ve already used demonstrative pronouns without realizing it!
Demonstrative pronouns like this, that, these, and those help us point to specific nouns in conversation or writing. They show which thing we’re talking about and whether it’s near or far, singular or plural.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What demonstrative pronouns are
- Their types and examples
- Easy exercises with answers
- The difference between demonstrative pronouns and adjectives
By the end, you’ll be confident using these Pronouns in everyday English.
What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?
A demonstrative pronoun is a word used to point out or identify specific people, animals, objects, or ideas.
It “demonstrates” which noun is being referred to.
The four demonstrative pronouns in English are:
This, That, These, Those
They tell us number (singular/plural) and distance (near/far).
| Pronoun | Used For | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| This | Singular, near | This is my favorite book. |
| That | Singular, far | That is a beautiful mountain. |
| These | Plural, near | These are my new shoes. |
| Those | Plural, far | Those are your old photos. |
Types of Demonstrative Pronouns
1. Singular Demonstrative Pronouns
These refer to one person or thing.
- This → used for something near in time or space.
Example: This is my seat. (close to speaker) - That → used for something farther away.
Example: That was an exciting movie. (distant in time or place)
2. Plural Demonstrative Pronouns
These refer to more than one person or thing.
- These → used for nearby plural nouns.
Example: These are the books I borrowed yesterday. - Those → used for plural things that are far away.
Example: Those are the stars we saw last night.
Tips for Remember Easily:
✅ This/These = Near
✅ That/Those = Far
Demonstrative Pronoun Examples with Answers
Below are some clear examples of demonstrative pronouns used in sentences — each with explanations for better understanding.
| Sentence | Demonstrative Pronoun | Answer / Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| This is my favorite pen. | This | Refers to a single pen close to the speaker. |
| That is a tall building. | That | Refers to a building that is far away. |
| These are my new shoes. | These | Refers to multiple items close by. |
| Those are the cookies we baked. | Those | Refers to several cookies farther away. |
| This feels like a good idea. | This | Refers to a current situation or thought. |
| That was a great concert last night. | That | Refers to something past or distant in time. |
| These belong to me, not you. | These | Indicates several nearby things. |
| Those look delicious! | Those | Refers to multiple items at a distance. |
| This is the path we should take. | This | Refers to a singular, nearby route. |
| That is why I was late. | That | Refers to the entire situation or reason mentioned before. |
How to Use Demonstrative Pronouns Correctly
Understanding the meaning and function of each word helps you avoid confusion between this, that, these, and those.
Here’s how to use them accurately:
1. Identify Number and Distance
- Number:
- Singular → this, that
- Plural → these, those
- Distance:
- Near → this, these
- Far → that, those
Examples:
- This book is mine. (one, near)
- Those mountains are beautiful. (many, far)
2. Ensure Subject–Verb Agreement
Use singular verbs for this/that and plural verbs for these/those.
✅ Correct: This is my pen.
❌ Incorrect: This are my pen.
✅ Correct: Those are new chairs.
❌ Incorrect: Those is new chairs.
3. Use Clear Context
Avoid vague sentences like That is good.
Be specific: That movie is good. — so the listener knows what you mean.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives
Many learners confuse the two, but the difference is simple.
| Feature | Demonstrative Pronoun | Demonstrative Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Replaces a noun | Describes or modifies a noun |
| Example | This is my bag. | This bag is mine. |
| Grammatical Role | Acts as a subject or object | Acts as an adjective before a noun |
| Hint | Stands alone | Comes before a noun |
Demonstrative Pronoun Example Sentences for Beginners
- This is my pencil.
- This is a beautiful flower.
- This tastes so sweet.
- This is my favorite song.
- This looks interesting.
- This is my new phone.
- This smells wonderful.
- This is your seat.
- This is the book I was talking about.
- This feels soft and warm.
- That is a big mountain.
- That looks like a nice restaurant.
- That is your car across the street.
- That was an amazing show last night.
- That is not the right answer.
- That is my friend over there.
- That is the house we used to live in.
- That sounds like fun!
- That is the reason I came here.
- That is not my problem.
- These are my shoes.
- These are fresh apples.
- These belong to you.
- These are the keys I lost.
- These look so colorful.
- These are the toys from my childhood.
- These taste delicious.
- These are my new friends.
- These are beautiful pictures.
- These help me stay organized.
- Those are tall buildings in the city.
- Those are the stars we saw last night.
- Those belong to my brother.
- Those are my grandparents in the photo.
- Those look expensive.
- Those were the days we had fun together.
- Those are not your books.
- Those are the chairs we ordered.
- Those are my classmates standing outside.
- Those sound like good ideas.
- This is easy, but that is hard.
- These are clean, but those are dirty.
- This is my home, and that is yours.
- These are nice pens; those are broken.
- This is where I live; that is where I work.
- These are my cookies; those are for guests.
- This is my plan; that is your choice.
- These are from my garden; those are from the market.
- This is today’s newspaper; that is yesterday’s.
- These are comfortable; those are too tight.
Exercise on Demonstrative Pronouns
Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun:
- _______ is my favorite movie.
- I can’t believe _______ are your notes!
- _______ was the happiest day of my life.
- _______ are the flowers I picked for you.
- _______ is not the right answer.
Answers:
- This
- Those
- That
- These
- That
Quick Tips to Master Demonstrative Pronouns
- ✅ Remember: Number + Distance
This/That = singular, These/Those = plural - ✅ Use body language when speaking
Point to the object if it helps — it clarifies meaning. - ✅ Practice in real-life sentences
Example: This is my coffee. / Those are your shoes. - ✅ Read and listen to English daily
You’ll naturally notice how native speakers use these pronouns in context. - ✅ Pair learning with visuals
When teaching or self-studying, use images or real objects to show “near” vs. “far.”
FAQs on Demonstrative Pronouns
1. What is a simple definition of a demonstrative pronoun?
A demonstrative pronoun points to a specific person, place, or thing. Examples: this, that, these, those.
2. What are the 4 main demonstrative pronouns?
The four demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, and those.
3. How do you identify a demonstrative pronoun in a sentence?
If the word stands alone and replaces a noun (not followed by one), it’s a demonstrative pronoun.
Example: That is my car.
4. What’s the difference between “this” and “that”?
- This = singular, nearby
- That = singular, farther away
5. Can demonstrative pronouns refer to people?
Yes, but it’s less common. Example: That is my teacher over there.
Conclusion
Demonstrative pronouns — this, that, these, and those — make your English more natural and precise.
They help you point to things, ideas, and situations clearly without repeating nouns.
To master them:
- Learn the difference between singular/plural and near/far.
- Practice daily with simple examples.
- Avoid mixing up demonstrative pronouns and adjectives.
With consistent practice, you’ll soon use sentences like This is delicious and Those are amazing with total confidence.