Demonstrative Pronouns
Learn how this, that, these and those point to a specific person, thing or idea without naming it directly.
This, that, these, those
A demonstrative pronoun points to something specific.
A demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun by pointing to a specific person, thing or idea. The listener or reader is expected to understand exactly what is being pointed to, either from the physical surroundings or from earlier in the conversation.
In the sentence This is my favourite song., the word this points to a specific song without repeating its name.
English has four demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these and those.
Before you begin
Demonstrative pronouns are one category of pronoun.
This lesson focuses on demonstrative pronouns specifically. If you would like an overview of how pronouns work as a whole topic, begin with the Pronouns page.
The central idea
A demonstrative pronoun can stand completely on its own.
Compare the same word used before a noun and used alone in place of one.
01
Before a Noun
This comes directly before the noun and describes it.
This cake is delicious.
02
Replacing the Noun
This stands alone and takes the place of the noun entirely.
This is delicious.
The useful question is: Is a noun still needed after the word?
this cake → a noun is needed
this → no noun is needed
When the word stands completely on its own in place of a noun, it is functioning as a demonstrative pronoun.
Singular and plural
Demonstrative pronouns show how many things are being pointed to.
01
Singular
Points to one person, thing or idea.
this
that
02
Plural
Points to more than one person, thing or idea.
these
those
Number applies here just as it does with nouns
This is my umbrella, but these are my gloves.
The pronoun must match the number of what it points to, whether one item or several.
Near and far
Demonstrative pronouns also show distance.
Distance can be physical, such as how close something is to the speaker, or it can relate to time or context, such as something recent compared with something further in the past.
Near: this and these
This is the book I was telling you about.
This and these point to something close to the speaker, either physically or in the conversation.
Far: that and those
That was an excellent presentation.
That and those point to something further away, either physically or earlier in time.
Combining number and distance
this → singular, near
that → singular, far
these → plural, near
those → plural, far
Pointing to ideas and statements
Demonstrative pronouns can also refer to something already said.
Referring back to an idea
The flight was delayed by six hours. That was frustrating for everyone.
Here, that does not point to a physical object. It points back to the entire situation described in the first sentence.
Introducing an idea
This is what I mean: we need more time.
This can also introduce an idea that is about to be explained, rather than one already mentioned.
A useful decision guide
Ask how many, and how close.
01
Does the word stand alone, in place of a noun?
Then it is functioning as a demonstrative pronoun.
02
Is it pointing to one thing, or more than one?
Use this or that for one; these or those for more than one.
03
Is it close, or further away?
Use this or these for something near; that or those for something further away.
04
Is it pointing to an idea rather than an object?
Demonstrative pronouns can refer to a whole statement or situation, not only to physical things.
Common mistakes
Do not let number or context become unclear.
The pronoun must match the number of what it replaces.
Not: This are my shoes.
Correct: These are my shoes.
A plural noun needs a plural demonstrative pronoun.
An unclear demonstrative pronoun leaves the listener guessing.
Unclear: We discussed the budget and the schedule. This concerned me.
When more than one idea has just been mentioned, it may not be clear which one this refers to. Naming the specific idea can avoid confusion.
Confusing near and far in a way that changes the meaning.
Could you pass me that pen? (the one further away)
Could you pass me this pen? (the one close to the speaker)
Choosing the wrong distance word can point the listener toward the wrong object.
Check your understanding
Which demonstrative pronoun fits?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence.
__________ are the documents you asked for. (pointing to papers in your hand)
✅ Exactly! Documents is plural and close to the speaker, so these is correct.
❎ Not quite. Check whether the noun being replaced is singular or plural.
Look at whether documents is singular or plural.
__________ mountains in the distance look beautiful today.
✅ Exactly! Those fits a plural noun that is far away.
❎ Not quite. The word distance signals that the mountains are far away.
Traffic was terrible this morning. __________ made me late for work.
✅ Exactly! That refers back to the situation already described.
❎ Not quite. Both choices are singular, so think about how the sentence points back to the earlier idea.
Here, taste __________. I just made it. (offering a spoonful right now)
✅ Exactly! Something being offered right now is close to the speaker, so this is correct.
❎ Not quite. Think about how close the item is to the speaker at this moment.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the demonstrative pronoun correctly.
Why is “These are my gloves” correct rather than “This are my gloves”?
✅ Exactly! The demonstrative pronoun must agree in number with the noun it replaces.
❎ Not quite. Consider how many gloves are being talked about.
In “The flight was delayed. That was frustrating,” what does that refer to?
✅ Exactly! A demonstrative pronoun can point back to a whole idea, not just a single noun.
❎ Not quite. Think about how much of the first sentence is being referred to.
Which sentence uses a demonstrative pronoun, rather than a demonstrative word before a noun?
✅ Exactly! That stands completely on its own, with no noun following it.
❎ Not quite. Look for the sentence where no noun follows the demonstrative word.
Try it another way
Complete the sentence with the correct demonstrative pronoun.
Type this, that, these or those.
✅ Exactly! One phone, held close to the speaker.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether the phone is near, and whether it is one item.
✅ Exactly! Several birds, further away by the lake.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether there is more than one bird, and how far away they are.
✅ Exactly! That refers back to the whole idea of winning the game.
❎ Not quite. Think about a single demonstrative pronoun that can point back to an entire idea.
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence with the correct demonstrative pronoun.
Use the note in brackets to decide which pronoun fits.
This are my keys. (correct the pronoun)
✅ Exactly! Keys is plural, so the pronoun must be plural too.
❎ Not quite. Change the pronoun to match the plural noun keys.
Could you pass me this book on the shelf? (rewrite so the book is far from the speaker)
✅ Exactly! That shows the book is further away from the speaker.
❎ Not quite. Use the singular demonstrative pronoun for something further away.
The meeting ran two hours late. It annoyed everyone. (replace “it” with a demonstrative pronoun referring to the whole situation)
✅ Exactly! That points back to the entire situation of the meeting running late.
❎ Not quite. Use the demonstrative pronoun that can refer back to a whole idea.
Quick review
Number and distance decide the correct demonstrative pronoun.
Demonstrative pronouns — this, that, these, those — point to a specific person, thing or idea without naming it directly.
This and that are singular; these and those are plural.
This and these point to something near; that and those point to something further away.
Distance can be physical, or it can relate to time, such as something recent versus something further in the past.
A demonstrative pronoun can also point back to an entire idea or statement, not only to a physical object.
A demonstrative word followed by a noun is describing that noun, not standing in as a pronoun.
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.