Demonstratives
Learn how this, that, these and those come before a noun to show which one is meant, and how close it is.
This, that, these, those
A demonstrative identifies a specific noun.
A demonstrative is a determiner that comes directly before a noun to show which specific person, thing or idea is meant. It also shows whether that noun is close to the speaker or further away.
In the sentence This book is mine., the word this is a demonstrative. It identifies one specific book that is close to the speaker.
English has four demonstratives: this, that, these and those.
Before you begin
Demonstratives are one category of determiner.
This lesson focuses on demonstratives specifically. If you would like an overview of how determiners work as a whole topic, begin with the Determiners page.
The central idea
A demonstrative always comes with a noun.
Compare a noun with no demonstrative and the same noun made specific by one.
01
No Demonstrative
The noun alone does not show which one is meant.
Pass me a pen.
02
With a Demonstrative
The demonstrative identifies exactly which pen is meant.
Pass me that pen.
The useful question is: Which one, and how close?
this pen → one, near
that pen → one, far
these pens → more than one, near
those pens → more than one, far
A demonstrative always answers these two questions about the noun that follows it: how many, and how close.
Singular and plural
The demonstrative must match the number of the noun.
Singular nouns
this chair
that idea
This chair needs fixing.
Plural nouns
these chairs
those ideas
These chairs need fixing.
Near and far
Demonstratives also show distance from the speaker.
Distance can be physical, or it can relate to time or context, such as something recent compared with something further in the past.
Near: this and these
This jacket is warmer than my old one.
Used for a noun that is physically close, or close in the conversation.
Far: that and those
That mountain looks beautiful from here.
Used for a noun that is further away, either physically or in time.
Distance in time
this week → the current week
that year → a year already mentioned, often in the past
Where demonstratives appear
A demonstrative sits at the very start of the noun phrase.
Directly before the noun
I really like this design.
Before an adjective and a noun
I really like this bold design.
When an adjective describes the noun, the demonstrative still comes first, before the adjective.
Demonstratives and demonstrative pronouns
The same words can also stand completely alone.
When this, that, these or those replaces a noun entirely, rather than coming before one, it is functioning as a demonstrative pronoun instead of a demonstrative.
Demonstrative: This cake is delicious. (before the noun cake)
Demonstrative pronoun: This is delicious. (standing alone, in place of a noun)
This distinction is explored fully in the Demonstrative Pronouns lesson.
A useful decision guide
Ask how many, and how close.
01
Is the noun singular or plural?
Use this or that for one; these or those for more than one.
02
Is the noun close, or further away?
Use this or these for something near; that or those for something further away.
03
Is a noun directly following the word?
If so, it is a demonstrative. If the word stands alone, it is a demonstrative pronoun instead.
04
Is an adjective also describing the noun?
The demonstrative still comes first, before the adjective.
Common mistakes
Do not let number or distance become mismatched.
The demonstrative must match the noun’s number.
Not: this books
Correct: these books
A plural noun needs a plural demonstrative.
Choosing the wrong distance can point to the wrong item.
Could you pass me that plate? (further away)
Could you pass me this plate? (close to the speaker)
Selecting the wrong word can send the listener toward the wrong object.
Placing the demonstrative after an adjective.
Not: bold this design
Correct: this bold design
The demonstrative always comes first, before any adjective.
Check your understanding
Which demonstrative fits?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence.
__________ shoes I’m wearing are brand new.
✅ Exactly! Shoes is plural and close to the speaker, so these fits.
❎ Not quite. Check whether shoes is singular or plural.
Look at whether the noun ends in -s.
__________ hills in the distance turn purple at sunset.
✅ Exactly! The hills are plural and far away, so those fits.
❎ Not quite. The word distance signals that the hills are far away.
I still remember __________ summer we spent by the lake.
✅ Exactly! A summer already in the past uses the far demonstrative that.
❎ Not quite. Think about how far in the past this summer is.
Can you sign __________ form for me right now?
✅ Exactly! One form, being handed over right now, uses this.
❎ Not quite. Think about how close the form is to the speaker at this moment.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the demonstrative correctly.
Why is “these books” correct rather than “this books”?
✅ Exactly! The demonstrative must agree in number with the noun it comes before.
❎ Not quite. Consider how many books are being talked about.
In “this bold design”, why does this come before bold?
✅ Exactly! The demonstrative sits at the very start of the noun phrase.
❎ Not quite. Think about the order of words within the whole phrase this bold design.
Which sentence uses a demonstrative, rather than a demonstrative pronoun?
✅ Exactly! That comes directly before the noun jacket.
❎ Not quite. Look for the sentence where a noun follows the demonstrative word directly.
Try it another way
Complete the sentence with the correct demonstrative.
Type this, that, these or those.
✅ Exactly! One phone, held close to the speaker.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether the phone is near or far, and whether it is one item.
✅ Exactly! Several clouds, further away over the mountains.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether there is more than one cloud, and how far away they are.
✅ Exactly! Several boxes, close to the speaker right now.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether there is more than one box, and how close they are.
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence with the correct demonstrative.
Use the note in brackets to decide which word fits.
This plans need to be finished by Friday. (correct the demonstrative)
✅ Exactly! Plans is plural, so it needs the plural demonstrative.
❎ Not quite. Change the demonstrative to match the plural noun plans.
Could you pass me this plate on the far side of the table? (rewrite so the plate is far from the speaker)
✅ Exactly! That shows the plate is further away from the speaker.
❎ Not quite. Use the singular demonstrative for something further away.
I loved bold this design. (correct the word order)
✅ Exactly! The demonstrative comes first, before the adjective and the noun.
❎ Not quite. Move the demonstrative so it comes before the adjective bold.
Quick review
Number and distance decide the correct demonstrative.
Demonstratives — this, that, these, those — come directly before a noun to identify which one is meant.
This and that are used with singular nouns; these and those are used with plural nouns.
This and these show something near; that and those show something further away.
Distance can be physical, or it can relate to time, such as something recent compared with something in the past.
A demonstrative always comes first in the noun phrase, before any adjective.
When these words stand alone instead of coming before a noun, they are functioning as demonstrative pronouns.
Remember
Ask how many, and how close.
Number decides whether to use the singular or plural form. Distance, whether physical, in time, or in the flow of conversation, decides whether to use the near form or the far form.