Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in English

This, that, these, those are the demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in English. At ABA English we explain the grammar so you can tell them apart. Register for free and enjoy a new free grammar video class every day.

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We present the differences in usage between the pronouns and English demonstrative adjectives this, that, those and these as well as two more pronouns, such and none. You will also find more than 15 sentences and 3 exercises for you to practice.

What are the demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in English?

As we have already told you at the beginning, these are the four demonstrative adjectives & pronouns in English.

This (this, these).
These (these).
That (that, that one, that one over there, that thing).
Those (those, those over there).

Additionally, there are two other demonstrative pronouns, such and none. We explain them below.

What are the differences?

In short, what distinguishes them is their position in the sentence.

If you find it before the verb it is a demonstrative pronoun, since it replaces the noun like any other pronoun.

This/that is my bag. (That is my backpack).
These/Those are his clothes. (These/Those are his clothes).

If you find it before the noun it is a demonstrative adjective, since, like all adjectives, it gives more information about the noun.

This/that bag is mine. (This/that backpack is mine).
These/Those clothes are his. (These/Those clothes are his).
Those able to communicate in English. (Those who can communicate in English).

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When are this, that, these and those used?

The usage rules for this, that, those and these are quite simple.

this and these are used if the thing(s) or action(s) is/are close in time or distance.
that and those are used if the thing(s) or action(s) are far in time or distance.

That is, the choice of the correct pronoun depends on whether they are far or near either in distance or time. Here is a summary chart to make it clearer. You can also download it here.

Demonstrative	Usage
*This* (This – this – this)	The thing or action is physically or temporally close.
*These* (These – these)	The thing or action is physically or temporally close.
*That* (That – That – That – that one – that one – that one)	The thing, person or action is physically or temporally distant
Those (Those – those – those – those)	The thing, person or action is physically or temporally distant

Other demonstrative pronouns: Such and none

As we said, this, that, these and those, there are two other demonstrative pronouns: such and none. Here we explain both terms:

Such

Example:

Some restaurants serve pizza with beans and ketchup. I’ve never seen such toppings on a pizza. (Some restaurants serve pizza with beans and ketchup. I’ve never seen such toppings on a pizza).

None

It serves for both uncountable and countable nouns and can be translated as none or no one. Although the term never changes, you need to pay attention to what it is replacing to conjugate the verb in singular or plural or add the third-person s.

Examples:

I like none of the toppings. (I don’t like any of the toppings).
She has three cars and I have none. (She has three cars and I have none).

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Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in English

Examples of demonstratives

Sentences with this and that

This cat is really active. (This cat is very active)
That ball belongs to my brother. (That ball belongs to my brother)
That plane is flying low. (That plane is flying low)
This window is dirty. (This window is dirty)
I don’t agree with that statement. (I don’t agree with that statement)

Sentences with these and those

These dogs are very obedient. (These dogs are very obedient)
Those balls are only for children. (Those balls are only for children)
These flowers are so nice.. (These flowers are so nice)
I see big discrepancies between those figures. (I see big discrepancies between those numbers)
Those trousers are dirty. (Those trousers are dirty)

Exercises with this, that, these and those

Exercise on demonstrative adjectives in English

Fill in the blanks with this / that / these / those:

Can you please pass me ______ knife beside you? (Can you pass me that knife beside you please?).
I am flying to Bogotá again ______ weekend. (I am flying to Madrid again this weekend)
_______ restaurant we went to last night is so expensive. We won’t go back. (That restaurant we went to last night is so expensive. We won’t go back)
But in reality, ____ effect can be short-lived. (But in reality, this effect can be short-lived).
______ apples were rotten. I threw them away. (Those apples were rotten. I threw them away).
______ dog over there is mine. (That dog over there is mine).
And, worse, ___ costs are growing! (And worse, these costs are growing!).

Answers: that, this, that, this, those, that, these.

Exercises with demonstrative pronouns

What’s ______? It’s an antique chair. (What is that? It’s an antique chair).
______ isn’t my bag. Mine’s smaller. (That isn’t my bag. Mine’s smaller).
______ are my children.. (These are my children)
_____ also helps explain why it happened. (This also helps explain why it happened).

Answers: that, this, these, this.