Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?
3. List of Demonstrative Pronouns
4. Using Demonstrative Pronouns Correctly
5. Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives
6. Common Mistakes with Demonstrative Pronouns
7. Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises
8. Answers
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on demonstrative pronouns in English! Demonstrative pronouns are words that point to specific things or people. They help us indicate which objects or individuals we are referring to, making our communication clearer and more precise. Mastering demonstrative pronouns will enhance your ability to describe and distinguish between items in your conversations and writing.

This guide is designed specifically for ESL students. We’ll explain what demonstrative pronouns are, provide a list of them, discuss how to use them correctly, and highlight the difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives. We’ll also point out common mistakes and offer exercises to help you practice. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident using demonstrative pronouns in your everyday English interactions.

What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that point to specific things or people. They help indicate which items you are referring to in a sentence without naming them directly. Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition and add clarity to your statements.

• This is my favorite book.
• Those are delicious cookies.
• These are my friends.

List of Demonstrative Pronouns

Here are the main demonstrative pronouns in English:

• This — refers to something close to the speaker (singular)
• That — refers to something farther from the speaker (singular)
• These — refers to multiple things close to the speaker (plural)
• Those — refers to multiple things farther from the speaker (plural)

Using Demonstrative Pronouns Correctly

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific items or people in relation to the speaker’s position. They can function as the subject or object of a sentence.

1. Pointing Out Something Close

• This is my laptop.
• These are my shoes.

2. Pointing Out Something Farther Away

• That is your house across the street.
• Those are the mountains we saw yesterday.

3. As Subjects

• This is delicious.
• These are my friends.

4. As Objects

• I like this.
• She can’t believe that.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives

It’s important to distinguish between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives, as they serve different grammatical functions:

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns and stand alone in the sentence.

• This is my book.
• Those are interesting ideas.

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns and are used before the noun they describe.

• This book is mine.
• Those cookies are delicious.

Common Mistakes with Demonstrative Pronouns

1. Using Singular Pronouns with Plural Nouns

❌ This are my friends.

✅ These are my friends.

Tip: Use “this” for singular and “these” for plural objects close to you.

2. Using Plural Pronouns with Singular Nouns

❌ Those is a beautiful painting.

✅ That is a beautiful painting.

Tip: Use “that” for singular and “those” for plural objects farther from you.

3. Confusing “This” and “That”

❌ This is the car I bought.

✅ That is the car I bought.

Tip: Use “this” for things close to you and “that” for things farther away.

4. Overusing Demonstrative Pronouns

❌ This and that are important.

✅ Both are important.

Tip: Use demonstrative pronouns only when necessary to specify objects or people.

5. Using “It” Instead of a Demonstrative Pronoun

❌ It is over there.

✅ That is over there.

Tip: Use “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those” to point out specific items instead of “it” when clarification is needed.

Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises

Now it’s time to practice! Complete the following exercises to test your understanding of demonstrative pronouns.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Demonstrative Pronoun

Select the correct demonstrative pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. ______ is my favorite movie. (This/These)
2. ______ are the books I was talking about. (That/Those)
3. ______ is the building where I work. (These/That)
4. ______ are delicious cookies you made. (This/Those)
5. ______ is the best restaurant in town. (These/That)

Exercise 2: Replace the Underlined Words with a Demonstrative Pronoun

Rewrite each sentence by replacing the underlined words with a demonstrative pronoun.

1. I love the shoes you’re wearing. The shoes you’re wearing
2. Look at the stars in the sky. The stars in the sky
3. This is the house where I grew up. The house where I grew up
4. Those are my cousins. My cousins
5. These are the apples we picked yesterday. The apples we picked yesterday

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. This are my friends.
2. Those is a beautiful painting.
3. These is the car I bought.
4. That are delicious cookies.
5. Those is over there.

Exercise 4: Demonstrative Pronoun or Demonstrative Adjective?

Decide whether the word in bold is a demonstrative pronoun or a demonstrative adjective.

1. This is my laptop. (Pronoun/Adjective)
2. I don’t like that movie. (Pronoun/Adjective)
3. These books are new. (Pronoun/Adjective)
4. Can you pass me those scissors? (Pronoun/Adjective)
5. This apple is rotten. (Pronoun/Adjective)

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Use the given demonstrative pronouns to write sentences.

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

Answers

Exercise 1

1. This is my favorite movie.
2. Those are the books I was talking about.
3. That is the building where I work.
4. Those are delicious cookies you made.
5. That is the best restaurant in town.

Exercise 2

1. I love these.
2. Look at those.
3. That is the house where I grew up.
4. Those are my cousins.
5. These are the apples we picked yesterday.

Exercise 3

1. This are my friends.
   
   ✅ Correction: These are my friends.
2. Those is a beautiful painting.
   
   ✅ Correction: That is a beautiful painting.
3. These is the car I bought.
   
   ✅ Correction: That is the car I bought.
4. That are delicious cookies.
   
   ✅ Correction: Those are delicious cookies.
5. Those is over there.
   
   ✅ Correction: That is over there.

Exercise 4

1. This is my laptop. — Pronoun
2. I don’t like that movie. — Adjective
3. These books are new. — Adjective
4. Can you pass me those scissors? — Pronoun
5. This apple is rotten. — Adjective

Exercise 5

Your sentences may vary. Here are some examples:

1. This is my favorite pen.
2. That was an amazing concert.
3. These are delicious pastries.
4. Those were the best days of my life.
5. These are the keys you left on the table.

Conclusion

Understanding and using demonstrative pronouns correctly is essential for pointing out specific items or people in English. By familiarizing yourself with demonstrative pronouns and practicing their usage, you’ll enhance your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to share your own sentences using demonstrative pronouns, please leave a comment below. Happy learning!