Mastering Demonstrative Pronouns: This, That, These, Those

Welcome to your guide on demonstrative pronouns! If you're learning English, understanding how to use this, that, these, and those is essential. These words help us point out specific things or people. In this article, we will explore the rules, provide clear examples, and help you master these important pronouns.

What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are words that indicate specific items or people. They can show whether something is near or far in distance or time. The four main demonstrative pronouns in English are:

This - used for singular nouns that are close.
That - used for singular nouns that are far.
These - used for plural nouns that are close.
Those - used for plural nouns that are far.

Rules for Using Demonstrative Pronouns

Here are the basic rules to remember when using demonstrative pronouns:

Pronoun	Number	Distance
This	Singular	Near
That	Singular	Far
These	Plural	Near
Those	Plural	Far

Examples of Correct vs Incorrect Usage

Let’s look at some examples to clarify the correct usage of demonstrative pronouns:

✅ This is my book.
❌ This are my book.
✅ That is your car.
❌ That are your car.
✅ These are my friends.
❌ These is my friends.
✅ Those are beautiful flowers.
❌ Those is beautiful flowers.
✅ This is a great idea!
❌ This are a great idea!
✅ That was an interesting movie.
❌ That were an interesting movie.
✅ These cookies are delicious.
❌ These cookie are delicious.
✅ Those mountains are high.
❌ Those mountain are high.
✅ This is my favorite song.
❌ This are my favorite song.
✅ That was a long journey.
❌ That were a long journey.

Pro Tip: Remember, use this and these for things that are close to you, and that and those for things that are farther away!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many learners confuse singular and plural forms. Always match the pronoun with the noun it refers to:

Use this for one item and these for multiple items.
Use that for one item far away and those for multiple items far away.

Conclusion

Understanding demonstrative pronouns is crucial for effective communication in English. By mastering this, that, these, and those, you can clearly express your thoughts and ideas. Practice using these pronouns in your daily conversations, and soon, they will become second nature!