Demonstrative pronouns are essential for pointing out specific people, places, things, or ideas. Understanding how to use this, that, these, and those correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. This article provides a comprehensive guide to demonstrative pronouns, covering their definitions, structures, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master demonstrative pronouns and improve your English proficiency.
This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. It is also beneficial for teachers who want to provide clear and structured lessons on demonstrative pronouns.
By the end of this article, you will confidently use demonstrative pronouns in your speaking and writing.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Demonstrative Pronouns
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Demonstrative Pronouns
- Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Demonstrative Pronouns
A demonstrative pronoun is a type of pronoun that points out specific nouns (people, places, things, or ideas). Unlike personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they), which refer to previously mentioned nouns, demonstrative pronouns indicate which noun is being referenced. The four main demonstrative pronouns in English are: this, that, these, and those. They can function as both pronouns and determiners (also known as demonstrative adjectives), but in this article, we focus on their role as pronouns.
Demonstrative pronouns help to clarify which item or items are being discussed, providing context and specificity. They are essential for avoiding ambiguity and ensuring that your message is clear to the listener or reader.
Understanding their function and usage is key to mastering English grammar.
Classification
Demonstrative pronouns are classified based on two main criteria: proximity and number. Proximity refers to how close or far the noun is from the speaker. Number refers to whether the noun is singular or plural. This classification helps determine which demonstrative pronoun is appropriate in a given situation. This and these indicate items that are near, while that and those indicate items that are farther away.
Here’s a breakdown of the classification:
- This: Singular, near
- That: Singular, far
- These: Plural, near
- Those: Plural, far
Function
The primary function of demonstrative pronouns is to replace a noun phrase and point out a specific item or group of items. They help to avoid repetition and make sentences more concise. Demonstrative pronouns can act as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. For example, in the sentence “This is my favorite book,” this is the subject. In the sentence “I want that,” that is the object.
Demonstrative pronouns can also be used to introduce new information or refer back to something previously mentioned. They provide a direct link between the speaker and the noun being referenced, making communication more efficient and precise.
Contexts
Demonstrative pronouns are used in a wide variety of contexts, including everyday conversations, academic writing, and formal presentations. They are essential for describing objects, giving instructions, making comparisons, and expressing opinions.
Understanding the context in which a demonstrative pronoun is used can help you interpret its meaning and intent more accurately.
For instance, in a store, you might say, “I’ll take this one,” pointing to a specific item. In a classroom, a teacher might say, “That is an important concept,” referring to something written on the board. The context provides crucial information about the specific noun being referenced.
Structural Breakdown
Demonstrative pronouns can appear in various positions within a sentence, depending on their function. They can act as the subject, object, or complement.
The structural role of a demonstrative pronoun influences the overall meaning and clarity of the sentence. Recognizing these structural patterns will improve your ability to use demonstrative pronouns correctly.
Subject
When a demonstrative pronoun acts as the subject of a sentence, it performs the action or is described by the verb. The demonstrative pronoun typically appears at the beginning of the sentence. For example, “This is my car” or “Those are my friends.” In these cases, the demonstrative pronoun identifies the subject being discussed.
Here are some examples:
- This is a good idea.
- That is an excellent question.
- These are the books I need.
- Those are the people who helped me.
Object
When a demonstrative pronoun acts as the object of a sentence, it receives the action of the verb. The demonstrative pronoun typically appears after the verb. For example, “I want that” or “I need these.” In these cases, the demonstrative pronoun identifies the object of the verb.
Here are some examples:
- I want this.
- Please take that.
- I need these.
- You should buy those.
Complement
When a demonstrative pronoun acts as the complement of a sentence, it provides additional information about the subject. The demonstrative pronoun typically appears after a linking verb such as is, are, was, or were. For example, “My favorite is this” or “The best options are those.” In these cases, the demonstrative pronoun identifies or describes the subject.
Here are some examples:
- My favorite is this.
- The best options are those.
- What I need is that.
- The ones I prefer are these.
Types of Demonstrative Pronouns
There are four main demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these, and those. Each pronoun indicates proximity and number, as explained earlier. Understanding the specific nuances of each pronoun is essential for accurate and effective communication.
This
This is used to refer to a single, nearby item or idea. It indicates that the item being referenced is close to the speaker in terms of physical distance or time. This is singular and should be used with singular nouns.
Examples:
- This is my pen.
- I like this.
- What is this?
That
That is used to refer to a single, distant item or idea. It indicates that the item being referenced is farther away from the speaker in terms of physical distance or time. That is singular and should be used with singular nouns.
Examples:
- That is her car.
- I don’t like that.
- Is that your house?
These
These is used to refer to multiple, nearby items or ideas. It indicates that the items being referenced are close to the speaker in terms of physical distance or time. These is plural and should be used with plural nouns.
Examples:
- These are my books.
- I want these.
- Are these your keys?
Those
Those is used to refer to multiple, distant items or ideas. It indicates that the items being referenced are farther away from the speaker in terms of physical distance or time. Those is plural and should be used with plural nouns.
Examples:
- Those are their bags.
- I don’t need those.
- Are those your friends?
Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns
The following tables provide extensive examples of demonstrative pronouns used in various contexts. Each table focuses on a specific type of demonstrative pronoun and includes sentences that illustrate its usage as a subject, object, and complement.
Table 1 showcases examples using the demonstrative pronoun “This”. It includes a variety of sentences to demonstrate different contexts and uses of “This”.
| Sentence | Function |
|---|---|
| This is my favorite song. | Subject |
| I like this very much. | Object |
| My choice is this. | Complement |
| This looks interesting. | Subject |
| Can you see this? | Object |
| The problem is this. | Complement |
| This tastes delicious. | Subject |
| I prefer this over that. | Object |
| The answer is this. | Complement |
| This is what I wanted. | Subject |
| I need this urgently. | Object |
| The reason is this. | Complement |
| This makes me happy. | Subject |
| I understand this now. | Object |
| The point is this. | Complement |
| This is important. | Subject |
| I have this already. | Object |
| The issue is this. | Complement |
| This feels soft. | Subject |
| I remember this well. | Object |
| The truth is this. | Complement |
| This is a great opportunity. | Subject |
| I appreciate this. | Object |
| The key is this. | Complement |
| This is the best option. | Subject |
| I choose this. | Object |
| The solution is this. | Complement |
Table 2 provides examples using the demonstrative pronoun “That”. These examples illustrate the use of “That” in various sentence structures and contexts to denote something farther away.
| Sentence | Function |
|---|---|
| That is a beautiful painting. | Subject |
| I don’t like that. | Object |
| My opinion is that. | Complement |
| That seems difficult. | Subject |
| Did you hear that? | Object |
| The problem was that. | Complement |
| That looks expensive. | Subject |
| I understand that now. | Object |
| The fact is that. | Complement |
| That is what I need. | Subject |
| I remember that clearly. | Object |
| The reason is that. | Complement |
| That makes sense. | Subject |
| I believe that. | Object |
| The truth is that. | Complement |
| That is not true. | Subject |
| I saw that happen. | Object |
| The issue is that. | Complement |
| That feels strange. | Subject |
| I forgot that. | Object |
| The point is that. | Complement |
| That is a good idea. | Subject |
| I appreciate that. | Object |
| The key is that. | Complement |
| That is the best way. | Subject |
| I choose that. | Object |
| The solution is that. | Complement |
Table 3 presents examples using the demonstrative pronoun “These”. The sentences use “These” to refer to multiple items that are nearby, demonstrating its plural usage.
| Sentence | Function |
|---|---|
| These are my favorite shoes. | Subject |
| I want these. | Object |
| My choices are these. | Complement |
| These look interesting. | Subject |
| Can you see these? | Object |
| The problems are these. | Complement |
| These taste delicious. | Subject |
| I prefer these. | Object |
| The answers are these. | Complement |
| These are what I wanted. | Subject |
| I need these urgently. | Object |
| The reasons are these. | Complement |
| These make me happy. | Subject |
| I understand these now. | Object |
| The points are these. | Complement |
| These are important. | Subject |
| I have these already. | Object |
| The issues are these. | Complement |
| These feel soft. | Subject |
| I remember these well. | Object |
| The truths are these. | Complement |
| These are great opportunities. | Subject |
| I appreciate these. | Object |
| The keys are these. | Complement |
| These are the best options. | Subject |
| I choose these. | Object |
| The solutions are these. | Complement |
Table 4 illustrates the use of the demonstrative pronoun “Those”. The examples demonstrate how “Those” is used to refer to multiple items that are farther away, highlighting its plural and distant reference.
| Sentence | Function |
|---|---|
| Those are beautiful paintings. | Subject |
| I don’t like those. | Object |
| My opinions are those. | Complement |
| Those seem difficult. | Subject |
| Did you hear those? | Object |
| The problems were those. | Complement |
| Those look expensive. | Subject |
| I understand those now. | Object |
| The facts are those. | Complement |
| Those are what I need. | Subject |
| I remember those clearly. | Object |
| The reasons are those. | Complement |
| Those make sense. | Subject |
| I believe those. | Object |
| The truths are those. | Complement |
| Those are not true. | Subject |
| I saw those happen. | Object |
| The issues are those. | Complement |
| Those feel strange. | Subject |
| I forgot those. | Object |
| The points are those. | Complement |
| Those are good ideas. | Subject |
| I appreciate those. | Object |
| The keys are those. | Complement |
| Those are the best ways. | Subject |
| I choose those. | Object |
| The solutions are those. | Complement |
Usage Rules
Using demonstrative pronouns correctly requires understanding their specific rules and limitations. These rules govern the proper usage of this, that, these, and those based on proximity, number, and context. Adhering to these rules will help you communicate more effectively and avoid common errors.
Proximity and Number Agreement
The most important rule is to ensure that the demonstrative pronoun agrees in number (singular or plural) with the noun it is replacing and reflects the correct proximity (near or far). Using the wrong pronoun can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.
- Use this for singular nouns that are near.
- Use that for singular nouns that are far.
- Use these for plural nouns that are near.
- Use those for plural nouns that are far.
Examples:
- Correct: This book is interesting. (singular, near)
- Incorrect: These book is interesting.
- Correct: That house is beautiful. (singular, far)
- Incorrect: Those house is beautiful.
- Correct: These flowers are lovely. (plural, near)
- Incorrect: This flowers are lovely.
- Correct: Those stars are bright. (plural, far)
- Incorrect: That stars are bright.
Time and Distance
Proximity can refer to both physical distance and time. This and these can refer to the present or near future, while that and those can refer to the past or distant future. The temporal context influences the choice of demonstrative pronoun.
Examples:
- This week has been busy. (present)
- That year was difficult. (past)
- These days are enjoyable. (present)
- Those times were simpler. (past)
Clarity and Context
Ensure that the noun being referenced by the demonstrative pronoun is clear from the context. If there is ambiguity, it may be necessary to use a demonstrative determiner (demonstrative adjective) followed by the noun for clarity. For example, instead of saying “I want this,” you might say “I want this book.”
Examples:
- Unclear: I like that. (What exactly is “that”?)
- Clear: I like that painting.
- Unclear: These are important. (What exactly are “these”?)
- Clear: These documents are important.
Common Mistakes
Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with demonstrative pronouns. Understanding these common errors can help you avoid them in your own writing and speaking.
Paying attention to number agreement, proximity, and clarity is crucial for accuracy.
Number Agreement Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using a singular demonstrative pronoun with a plural noun or vice versa. This error can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| This are my books. | These are my books. | “This” is singular; “books” is plural. Use “these” for plural nouns. |
| Those is my car. | That is my car. | “Those” is plural; “car” is singular. Use “that” for singular nouns. |
| These is what I need. | This is what I need. | “These” is plural; “what I need” is singular in this context. Use “this” for singular references. |
| That are the reasons. | Those are the reasons. | “That” is singular; “reasons” is plural. Use “those” for plural nouns. |
Proximity Mistakes
Another common mistake is using the wrong demonstrative pronoun to indicate proximity. Using this or these when that or those is more appropriate can create confusion about which item is being referenced.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| This car over there is mine. | That car over there is mine. | “Over there” indicates distance, so use “that” instead of “this.” |
| These stars in the distance are beautiful. | Those stars in the distance are beautiful. | “In the distance” indicates distance, so use “those” instead of “these.” |
| That pen in my hand is mine. | This pen in my hand is mine. | “In my hand” indicates proximity, so use “this” instead of “that.” |
| Those flowers here smell nice. | These flowers here smell nice. | “Here” indicates proximity, so use “these” instead of “those.” |
Unclear Reference Mistakes
Sometimes, the noun being referenced by a demonstrative pronoun is not clear from the context. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion.
Always ensure that the reference is clear or use a demonstrative determiner followed by the noun.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I like that. | I like that painting. | It’s unclear what “that” refers to. Adding “painting” clarifies the reference. |
| These are important. | These documents are important. | It’s unclear what “these” refers to. Adding “documents” clarifies the reference. |
| I need this. | I need this information. | It’s unclear what “this” refers to. Adding “information” clarifies the reference. |
| Those are mine. | Those books are mine. | It’s unclear what “those” refers to. Adding “books” clarifies the reference. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of demonstrative pronouns with the following practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a specific aspect of demonstrative pronoun usage.
Answers are provided at the end of each exercise.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Pronoun
Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, or those) to fill in the blank in each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. ______ is my favorite coffee mug. | This |
| 2. ______ are the books I borrowed from the library. | These |
| 3. ______ house across the street is for sale. | That |
| 4. I don’t like ______ shoes; they are too uncomfortable. | Those |
| 5. ______ is a great idea! | This |
| 6. ______ are the reasons why I’m upset. | These |
| 7. ______ star over there is very bright. | That |
| 8. ______ are the people who helped me move. | Those |
| 9. ______ is the best pizza I’ve ever tasted. | This |
| 10. I need ______ files for the presentation. | These |
Exercise 2: Identify the Function
Identify the function of the demonstrative pronoun in each sentence (subject, object, or complement).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. This is my favorite painting. | Subject |
| 2. I want that. | Object |
| 3. My favorite color is this. | Complement |
| 4. These are the keys to my car. | Subject |
| 5. I need those. | Object |
| 6. The best options are these. | Complement |
| 7. That is a difficult question. | Subject |
| 8. I prefer this. | Object |
| 9. The solution is that. | Complement |
| 10. Those are the people I met yesterday. | Subject |
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences. If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. This are my pens. | These are my pens. |
| 2. Those is my favorite song. | That is my favorite song. |
| 3. These car is new. | This car is new. |
| 4. That are the reasons. | Those are the reasons. |
| 5. This flowers smell nice. | These flowers smell nice. |
| 6. That book in my hand is interesting. | This book in my hand is interesting. |
| 7. Those is what I need. | That is what I need. |
| 8. These house is for sale. | That house is for sale. |
| 9. That are my friends. | Those are my friends. |
| 10. Correct. | Correct. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are several more complex aspects of demonstrative pronoun usage to consider. These topics involve subtle nuances and specific contexts that require a deeper understanding of English grammar.
Demonstrative Ellipsis
Demonstrative ellipsis occurs when the noun that the demonstrative pronoun refers to is omitted because it is understood from the context. This is common in informal speech and writing but should be used carefully to avoid ambiguity.
Examples:
- “Which shirt do you want?” “This.” (instead of “This shirt.”)
- “Do you like these apples or those?” “I prefer those.” (instead of “those apples.”)
Demonstrative Pronouns with “One”
Demonstrative pronouns can be used with the word “one” to refer to a specific item of a type. This is often used when comparing items or making a selection.
Examples:
- “I don’t like this car. I prefer that one.”
- “Which dress should I buy? This one or that one?”
- “These cookies are delicious, but those ones look even better.”
Demonstrative Pronouns in Formal Writing
In formal writing, it is important to use demonstrative pronouns carefully to avoid ambiguity. Ensure that the noun being referenced is clear and that the pronoun agrees in number and proximity.
Overuse of demonstrative pronouns can make your writing sound less formal and more conversational.
Examples:
- Less formal: “This is important.”
- More formal: “This concept is important.”
- Less formal: “Those are the results.”
- More formal: “Those findings are the results of the study.”
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about demonstrative pronouns, along with detailed answers to help clarify any remaining doubts.
- What is the difference between a demonstrative pronoun and a demonstrative adjective (determiner)?
A demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun, while a demonstrative adjective (determiner) modifies a noun. For example
“This is my book” (pronoun) versus “This book is mine” (adjective/determiner). - Can demonstrative pronouns be used with uncountable nouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are typically used with countable nouns. However, they can be used with uncountable nouns in certain contexts. For example, “This water is clean” can be acceptable if referring to a specific quantity or sample of water.
- How do I avoid ambiguity when using demonstrative pronouns?
To avoid ambiguity, ensure that the noun being referenced is clear from the context. If necessary, use a demonstrative adjective (determiner) followed by the noun to provide clarity. For example, instead of saying “I want this,” say “I want this item.”
- Is it correct to use “this here” or “that there”?
While “this here” and “that there” are sometimes used in informal speech, they are generally considered redundant and non-standard. It is better to use “this” or “that” alone.
- Can demonstrative pronouns refer to entire clauses or sentences?
Yes, demonstrative pronouns can refer to entire clauses or sentences. For example, “He failed the test, and that surprised everyone.” In this case, “that” refers to the entire fact that he failed the test.
Conclusion
Mastering demonstrative pronouns is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding their definitions, structures, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can confidently use this, that, these, and those in your speaking and writing. Practice the exercises provided and continue to refine your understanding through real-world application. With dedication and attention to detail, you can master demonstrative pronouns and enhance your overall English proficiency.