Demonstrative Pronouns helps you communicate about identifying and pointing to people, things and ideas. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use demonstratives to point to singular and plural things at different distances.
- Recognise and build the form: this/these for near; that/those for farther away.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Demonstrative Pronouns for identifying and pointing to people, things and ideas. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
This is my phone here in my hand.
Use singular 'This' for one thing close to the speaker.
These are my keys here on the desk.
Use plural 'These' for things close to the speaker.
Who is that person over there?
Use singular 'that' for one person farther away.
this/these for near; that/those for farther awayKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use singular 'This' for one thing close to the speaker.
- Use plural 'These' for things close to the speaker.
- Use singular 'that' for one person farther away.
- Use plural 'Those' for things farther away.
- 'Listen to this' introduces an idea the speaker is about to present.
Common mistakes
Not:These is my phone here in my hand.
Use:This is my phone here in my hand.
Use singular 'This' for one thing close to the speaker.
Not:This are my keys here on the desk.
Use:These are my keys here on the desk.
Use plural 'These' for things close to the speaker.
Not:Who is this person over there?
Use:Who is that person over there?
Use singular 'that' for one person farther away.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ mountains in the distance are beautiful.
Those
Use plural 'Those' for things farther away.
Listen to ____: we need to leave now.
this
'Listen to this' introduces an idea the speaker is about to present.
____ was a wonderful day yesterday.
That
Use 'That' to refer back to a completed experience.