Pronouns can be a tricky.

There are so many of them plus they fall into different categories and have different purposes. To make things even more confusing certain pronouns can be used as other parts of speech. But of all the pronoun categories, demonstrative pronouns seem to cause the most bafflement. Lets take a closer look at demonstrative pronouns.

What are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are those that identify or point to a thing or things and occasionally persons. They can be both singular and plural and they refer to nouns that are either nearby or far away in time or space. What does that mean exactly? First of all, there are only four demonstrative pronouns this, that, these, those. This and thatrefer to singular nouns and these and those identify plural nouns. The singular this and the plural these refer to a person or thing near the speaker. The singular that and the plural those refer to a person or thing far away from the speaker. Lets look at some examples to get a clearer picture of this.

Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns

This is ridiculous. (This refers to an object or event close to the speaker.) That is ridiculous. (That refers to an object or event farther away in space or time.) These are ridiculous. (These refer to objects close to the speaker.) Those are ridiculous. (Those refer to objects farther away in space and time.) More examples I really like this. This smells heavenly. That costs way too much money. I heard that. These look perfect. Ill buy these. Those belong over there. I own those. These are nicer than those. Is this yours?

Did you see that? That is one way to do it. Is that right? That is incorrect.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs Demonstrative Adjectives

Sometimes people tend to confuse demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives. After all, the words are identical. The difference is that a demonstrative pronoun can stand alone. A demonstrative adjective will always qualify a noun. Here are some examples: I wanted that. (Here that is used as a demonstrative pronoun that stands alone.) That cake tastes awesome. (In this case that is used as a demonstrative adjective that qualifies the noun cake.) In some cases demonstrative pronouns can refer to people if the person is identified. Is that Jim? This is Jack speaking. Remember, when using demonstrative pronouns they do not qualify a noun. They stand alone. Other points to remember are this and that are singular and refer to something near to the speaker in time and place. These and those are plural referring to things farther away in time and space. Learning these simple rules will help you use demonstrative pronouns correctly.
Demonstrative Pronouns

When you are finished, try the Demonstrative Pronouns Quiz. The four demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, those. A demonstrative pronoun identifies and specifies a noun or pronoun. This and these refer to nouns that are nearby in time or space. That or those refer to nouns that are further away in time or space. This and that refer to singular nouns; these and those refer to plural nouns. The demonstrative pronouns are in italics.

This tastes delicious. (This is the subject of the sentence.) I don't like this. (This is the direct object of the sentence.)

That will run for an hour. (That is the subject of the sentence.) Jim wrote that. (That is the direct object of the sentence.) These look good. (These is the subject of the sentence.) I'll take these. (These is the direct object of the sentence.) Those belong to Linda. (Those is the subject of the sentence.) Jack brought those. (Those is the direct object of the sentence.)

*Note: This, that, these, those can be used as demonstrative adjectives as well as demonstrative pronouns.

Demonstrative Pronoun Quiz

If you need a demonstrative pronoun quiz, look no further. Here is a quiz that covers the demonstrative pronouns this, that, those, and these. There is also an additional quiz that covers those four demonstrative pronouns plus: such, neither, and none. Students are expected to identify demonstrative pronouns, know whether they are subjects, objects, singular or plural.

Demonstrative Pronouns: Quiz #1

A. Directions: Underline the demonstrative pronouns in the following sentences: 1. Paul bought those for two dollars. 2. These are the best shoes I have ever worn. 3. Can you believe that? 4. This is what I meant. 5. I can see that this is what you want. B. Directions: Underline the demonstrative pronouns in the following sentences and put an S for singular and a P for plural. 1. ___ I like those. 2. ___ That is fantastic. 3. ___ Bring me that pencil.

4. ___ These are fun games. 5. ___ I cant believe this. C. Directions: Underline the demonstrative pronouns in the following sentences and put an S for subject and an O for object. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. B. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. C. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Paul bought those for two dollars. These are the best shoes I have ever worn. Can you believe that? This is what I meant. I can see that this is what you want. _P_ I like those. _S_That is fantastic. _S_ Bring me that pencil. _P_ These are fun games. _S_ I cant believe this is happening. _S_ That is the greatest news. _O_ I cant see that. _S_ This is wonderful. _O_ I ate those. _S_ These are trying times. ___ That is the greatest news. ___ I cant see that. ___ This is wonderful. ___ I ate those. ___ These are trying times.

Answers:

All Demonstrative Pronouns: Quiz #2

This quiz covers the most widely used demonstrative pronouns: that, these, this, and those, as well as some less common ones: such, neither, and none.

A. Directions: Underline the demonstrative pronouns in the following sentences.

Those are terrible jokes. Such is the human race. Neither is sufficient. That is the way the cookie crumbles. He will allow none. B. Directions: Underline the demonstrative pronouns in the following sentences and put an S for subject and an O for object. 1. ___ You cant have that because its mine. 2. ___ Such is the nature of man. 3. ___ I have forgotten neither. 4. ___ This is a strange play. 5. ___ There is none. 6. ___ These are the best of times. 7. ___ That is my best friend. 8. ___ Neither is a good choice. 9. ___ Give me that! 10. ___ None are lonelier than he. C. Directions: Write two sentences using each word as a subject and an object. 1. none (subject) 2. none (object) 3. that (subject) 4. that (object) 5. those (subject) 6. those (object) 7. neither (subject) 8. neither (object) 9. this (subject) 10. this (object)

Answers:
A.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. B.

Those are terrible jokes. Such is the human race. Neither is sufficient. That is the way the cookie crumbles. He will allow none.

1. _O_ You cant have that because it is mine. 2. _S_ Such is the nature of man. 3. _O_ I have forgotten neither. 4. _S_ This is a strange play. 5. _S_ There is none left. 6. _S_ These are the best of times. 7. _S_ That is my very best friend. 8. _S_ Neither is a good choice. 9. _O_ Give me that! 10. _S_ None are lonelier than he.