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Demonstrative pronouns are words that take the place of nouns and indicate their proximity (near or far) relative to the speaker. They help us to point out specific people, places, or things.

There are only four demonstrative pronouns in the English language, and they can be neatly divided by number and proximity:

The Four Demonstrative Pronouns

Singular	Plural
This (near)	These (near)
That (far)	Those (far)

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Now that we know what the four demonstrative pronouns are, let’s take a look at how they are used in everyday sentences.

• Demonstrative Pronouns in Use

  This and that are used to refer to singular nouns:

  • This is the paint colour I want.
  • [Which one is your dog?] – That is my dog over there, the small brown one.

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  These and those are used to refer to plural nouns:

  • These are nice. Do you have them in size 9?
  • Are those still in date? (referring to some biscuits that have been in the cupboard a while).

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  * Singular Demonstratives / Plural Demonstratives

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Demonstrative Pronouns and Antecedents

Like all pronouns, demonstrative pronouns refer back to an antecedent: the noun or noun phrase that has already been mentioned or is understood in context.

Example:

• The neighbours had a party until 3am. This did not go down well with the rest of the street.

The demonstrative pronoun this stands in for the idea of the neighbours having a party until 3am, which was introduced in the previous sentence. In other words: this = the neighbours having a party until 3am.

As with other types of pronouns, demonstrative pronouns help us avoid unnecessary repetition of nouns and noun phrases.

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Demonstrative Pronouns as Pointers

Demonstrative pronouns can do more than just refer back to something known. We can also use them to point out objects or ideas that are new or immediately obvious from the context.

Example:

• During a tour of a museum, a guide stops in front of a glass display case containing ancient relics. He points and says, “These tell the story of a lost civilisation.”

Here, the word these is used to point out specific ancient relics on display.

Rather than referring back to something mentioned earlier, the pronoun draws our attention to the items the guide is highlighting in the moment.

More examples of demonstrative pronouns serving as pointers in sentences:

• This is my lovely dog, Tilly.
• That is a work of art!
• That is my bag, there.
• Are these your keys?
• Those are the balloons for John’s birthday.

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Matching Demonstrative Pronouns with Antecedents

Unlike many other pronouns, demonstrative pronouns only need to match their antecedents in number. Gender and grammatical person don’t affect their form.

– When the antecedent or noun referred to is singular, we use this or that.

– When the antecedent or noun referred to is plural, we use these or those.

For example:

• [Singular] – I tried a sample at the cheese counter. That was delicious.
  
  
• [Plural] – I found some old photos in a box in the attic. Those brought back a lot of memories.

Demonstrative Pronouns: Near vs. Far

Demonstrative pronouns do two things at once: they substitute for nouns and indicate proximity.

Physical Proximity

Demonstrative pronouns signal physical distance between the speaker and the thing being referred to.

Demonstrative Pronouns: Near vs. Far

Proximity	Singular Demonstrative	Plural Demonstrative
Near	this	these
Far	that	those

If we are referring to something that is close, we use this in the singular and these in the plural.

Examples:

• [Close – Singular] – This right here is my favourite. I have been waiting all day for this cake.
  > This is referring to something singular (in this case, a cake) that is near the speaker.
  
  
• [Close – Plural] – These are what I’ve grown in my allotment. They are Maris Piper potatoes.
  > These is referring to plural items (in this case, Maris Piper potatoes) that are near the speaker.

If we are referring to something that is far, we use that in the singular and those in the plural.

Examples:

• [Far – Singular] – That is where the parade will start.
  > That is referring to something singular (in this case, the parade’s starting point) that is not immediately close to the speaker.
  
  
• [Far – Plural] – Those over there are the mountains we need to cross.
  > Those is referring to something plural (in this case, the mountains) that are a considerable distance away from the speaker.

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Abstract Proximity

Demonstrative pronouns are not limited to physical objects and distances. They can also refer to abstract concepts, such as time and ideas.

Generally, we use the near forms (this / these) for abstract concepts that feel immediate, current, or closely related.

Examples:

• [Close – Singular] – This is what unites us.
• [Close – Plural] – These are the principles upon which this company was founded.

Conversely, we use the far forms (that / those) for abstract concepts that seem more distant.

Examples:

• [Far – Singular] – That was the year that changed everything.
• [Far – Plural] – We often reminisce about the good old days. Those were good times.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners are formed from the same words: this, that, these, those. However, they serve distinct functions in a sentence.

Demonstrative determiners specify which noun we’re referring to.

For example:

Demonstrative Determiner	Noun	Verb	Possessive Pronoun
This	pen	is	mine.

In contrast, demonstrative pronouns replace a noun entirely.

For example:

Demonstrative Pronoun	Verb	Possessive Pronoun
This	is	mine.

Below is a comparison table that highlights the key differences between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Determiners

	Demonstrative Pronouns	Demonstrative Determiners
Definition	Replaces a noun entirely.	Goes before a noun to specify which one.
Position in a Sentence	Fills the grammatical slot of the omitted noun or noun phrase.	Always appears directly before a noun.
Function	Acts as the noun in the sentence.	Specifies a particular noun.
Examples	– That was delicious. – These are mine. Those are yours.	– That dish was delicious. – These shoes are mine. Those shoes are yours.

Remember: A demonstrative determiner goes before a noun to specify which one, while a demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun entirely.

Practice Makes Perfect: Demonstrative Pronouns

Exercise 1: Identify the Demonstrative Pronoun

Identify the demonstrative pronoun(s) in each sentence.

1. Those are the mountains we need to cross. (referring to some mountains in the distance)
   
   
2. These are what I’ve grown in my allotment. They are Maris Piper potatoes. (referring to some potatoes)
   
   
3. That was the year that changed everything. (referring to a particular year)
   
   
4. Are these your keys? (referring to some keys)
   
   
5. This is my lovely dog, Tilly. (referring to a lovely dog)
   
   
6. That is a work of art! (referring to a painting or sculpture)
   
   
7. This is exactly what I needed after a long day. (referring to a home-cooked meal)
   
   
8. We tried fixing the shelf ourselves. That turned out to be a big mistake. (referring to trying to fix the shelf)
   
   
9. These taste amazing. Did you make them from scratch? (referring to some biscuits)
   
   
10. This is the song that’s been stuck in my head all week. (referring to a song on the radio)
    
    
11. I’ve just found some old letters in the attic. These really take me back. (referring to the old letters)
    
    
12. Those were the longest two hours of my life. (referring to a boring meeting)
    
    
13. These are the photos from our holiday in Portugal. (referring to some photos)
    
    
14. That sounds like a terrible idea, but I’m in. (referring to a friend’s suggestion)
    
    
15. Those at the back of the fridge have been there since last Christmas. Open them at your own risk. (referring to some leftovers)

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Exercise 1: Answers [Click]

1. Those
2. These
3. That
4. these
5. This
6. That
7. This
8. That
9. These
10. This
11. These
12. Those
13. These
14. That
15. Those

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Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Demonstrative Pronoun

Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. ____________ is my favourite restaurant. (This / These)
   
   
2. ____________ are the hiking boots I was telling you about. (That / Those)
   
   
3. ____________ was a brilliant film. (That / Those)
   
   
4. ____________ are delicious. Where did you get them? (This / These)
   
   
5. ____________ was the best holiday we’ve ever had. (That / Those)

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Exercise 2: Answers [Click]

1. This
2. Those
3. That
4. These
5. That

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Exercise 3: Near or Far?

For each sentence, decide whether the speaker is referring to something near or far, and fill in the correct demonstrative pronoun.

1. [Holding up a shirt in a shop] ‘____________ fits perfectly.’
   
   
2. [Pointing at a lighthouse in the distance] ‘____________ is where we’re heading.’
   
   
3. [Picking up some strawberries at a market stall] ‘____________ look fresh. I’ll take a punnet.’
   
   
4. [Looking at some birds up in the trees above] ‘____________ are beautiful. Any idea what they are?’
   
   
5. [Pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven] ‘____________ smell incredible.’

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Exercise 3: Answers [Click]

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

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Exercise 4: Demonstrative Pronoun or Demonstrative Determiner?

Determine whether the underlined word is a demonstrative pronoun or a demonstrative determiner.

1. That was delicious.
   
   
2. That dish was delicious.
   
   
3. These shoes are mine.
   
   
4. These are mine.
   
   
5. This pen is yours.
   
   
6. This is yours.
   
   
7. Those were the days.
   
   
8. Those flowers are beautiful.

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Exercise 4: Answers [Click]

1. Demonstrative pronoun
2. Demonstrative determiner
3. Demonstrative determiner
4. Demonstrative pronoun
5. Demonstrative determiner
6. Demonstrative pronoun
7. Demonstrative pronoun
8. Demonstrative determiner

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Exercise 5: Rewrite using a Demonstrative Pronoun

Rewrite each sentence by replacing the underlined noun or noun phrase with the correct demonstrative pronoun.

1. [Near] The jacket I’m trying on fits perfectly. → ____________ fits perfectly.
   
   
2. [Far] That shortcut you told me about saved me twenty minutes. → ____________ saved me twenty minutes.
   
   
3. [Near] Look at these trainers I just bought. → ____________ are so comfortable.
   
   
4. [Near] I’ve just made some sandwiches for the trip. → ____________ should keep us going.
   
   
5. [Far] Remember those camping trips we used to go on as kids? → ____________ were the best.

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Exercise 5: Answers [Click]

1. This fits perfectly. (near – singular)
2. That saved me twenty minutes. (far – singular)
3. These are so comfortable. (near – plural)
4. These should keep us going. (near – plural)
5. Those were the best. (far – plural)

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