Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those) in English

1. Warm-up Dialogue

Emma and Jake are in a bookstore.

Emma: Look at this book! It looks interesting.
Jake: Oh, yes! But I like that one over there.
Emma: Hmm, I think these books here are better.
Jake: Maybe, but those books on the top shelf seem more exciting!

These students are choosing these books.

2. What Are Demonstratives?

Demonstratives are words we use to point to things, people, or places. In English, we have four demonstratives:

Demonstrative	Singular / Plural	Near / Far	Example
This	Singular	Near	This pen is mine.
That	Singular	Far	That house is big.
These	Plural	Near	These shoes are new.
Those	Plural	Far	Those stars are bright.

3. How to Use Demonstratives

A) Demonstratives as Adjectives

When a demonstrative comes before a noun, it works like an adjective.

• This apple is fresh. (near and singular)

• Those flowers are beautiful. (far and plural)

B) Demonstratives as Pronouns

When a demonstrative replaces a noun, it works as a pronoun.

• This is my favorite book. (instead of 'This book')

• Those are my shoes. (instead of 'Those shoes')

4. Practice Exercises

A) Choose the correct demonstrative:

1. _______ (This/These) is my cat.

2. _______ (That/Those) mountains are beautiful.

3. _______ (These/This) cookies taste great!

4. _______ (That/Those) is my old school.

B) Rewrite using demonstratives:

1. The phone in my hand is new. → This phone is new.

2. The chairs over there are expensive. → Those chairs are expensive.

5. Quick Tips

• Use this and these for things close to you.

• Use that and those for things far from you.

• This/That = singular, These/Those = plural.

Now, try using demonstratives in your own sentences!