Demonstratives

this, that, these, & those

 Definition

Examples

Practice Dalogues

Quiz 1

Quiz 2

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Definition:

Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that point to specific things.

"This, that, these, those, none and neither" are Demonstrative
Pronouns that substitute nouns when the nouns they replace can be
understood from the context. At the same time, to indicate whether they
are close or far, in space or time, from the speaker in the moment of
speaking. They also indicate whether they are replacing singular or
plural words. Some grammars describe them as members of the class
of function words called "determiners", since they identify nouns and
other nominals.

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 - Singular Plural Close Far
This yes No yes No
That Yes No No Yes
These No Yes Yes No
Those No Yes No Yes

Examples of English Demonstratives

Demonstratives Demonstrative Adjectives

That That is the place. That restaurant is really good.
This This is really good. This book is really good.
These These are a lot of fun. These games are a lot of fun.
Those English books are really
Those Those are really good English books
good.

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 Examples
This refers to something near to the speaker

that to something further away

These is the plural of this

those is the plural of that.

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More Examples

This is unbelievable.
* In this example, "this" can refer to an object or situation close in space
or in time to the speaker.

That is unbelievable.
* In this example, "that" can refer to an object or situation farther in
space or in time to the speaker.

These are unbelievable.

* In this example, "these" can refer to some objects close in space or in
time to the speaker.

Those are unbelievable.

* In this example, "those" can refer to some objects farther in space or in
time to the speaker.

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Examples Continued

Position

Before the noun.

Before the word 'one'.
Before an adjective + noun.
Alone when the noun is 'understood'

Examples

Who owns that house? (distant - physical )

Is this John's house? (near - physical )
That's nothing to do with me.. (distant - psychological )
This is a nice surprise! (near - psychological )

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Practice Dialogues
1.
a. Hey, these hot dogs look good.
b. Yep, I like them too. Try some of those tacos as well, they're delicious.
a. OK. And what's this?
b. That's chicken soup, it's really good too. Eat up!

2.
a. Do you like this sweater?
b. Yea, that looks good. I like this one as well.
a. Oh yea, that looks great! It goes well with these shorts.
b. And these boots are cool as well. Try them on!
a. Oh yea. I want the shorts, boots, and the sweater.
b. Let's buy them!

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Quiz 1
Example: I like this picture. (this, these, that, and those)

This
1. …………….is a red box.

That
2. ………………is a blue box.

3. ………………are
These boxes.

4. …………………are
Those boxes

5. …………….is
This a red box and ………….is
That a blue box.

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Quiz 2
Complete the sentences using this, that, these or those.

Example: I like this picture. (this, these)

That
1. ………………………….shirt looks great. (That, Those)
that
2. Look at ………………………..man over there. (this, that)

3. …………………………….is
This a beautiful day today. (That, This)
those
4. Do you like ……………………….flowers? (that, those)
these
5. What are the answers to ………………………..questions? (this, these)
these
6. I love …………………………..shoes that
but I don't like ………………………………..shirt.
(these, that), (those, that)

7. Let's watch a movie. That’s

……………………….a good idea. (This is, That's)

8. Whose house is …………………………………?

that (those, that)

9. This book isn't very good , but ……………………………book's

that great. (that, this)

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