Demonstrative Pronouns in English Grammar: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Introduction Demonstrative pronouns help us point to specific people, objects, or ideas in sentences. They are used in school grammar, daily conversation, and exam writing. Understanding demonstrative pronouns improves both your spoken and written English. At Vedantu, we make English grammar topics simple and useful for all learners.

Demonstrative Pronoun	Number	Distance	Example
This	Singular	Near	This is my pen.
That	Singular	Far	That is your house.
These	Plural	Near	These are tasty apples.
Those	Plural	Far	Those are our seats.

What Is a Demonstrative Pronoun?

A demonstrative pronoun refers to a word that points to a specific noun already known to the speaker and listener. Common examples include “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” They help avoid repeating nouns in English sentences.

List of Demonstrative Pronouns in English

• This
• That
• These
• Those

Some older or less common demonstrative pronouns are “such,” “none,” and “neither.” However, “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” are used most often in daily communication and exams.

Demonstrative Pronoun Examples in Sentences

• This is my favorite book. (refers to something close)
• That was a wonderful movie. (refers to something farther away in time)
• These are clean plates. (plural, near)
• Those have been washed. (plural, far)
• This tastes delicious.
• That is not mine.
• These belong to John.
• Those look expensive.
• This is what I meant to say.
• That wasn’t necessary.

Each example clearly uses a demonstrative pronoun to replace or refer to a noun. Practice using demonstrative pronouns to make your English more fluent.

Demonstrative Pronouns vs Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative Pronoun	Demonstrative Adjective
This is tasty. (“This” stands for a noun, not followed by a noun)	This cake is tasty. (“This” describes the noun “cake”)
Those are broken.	Those chairs are broken.

A demonstrative pronoun stands alone and replaces a noun, while a demonstrative adjective comes before a noun and qualifies it. Knowing the difference is often tested in English exams.

Rules for Using Demonstrative Pronouns

• Use “this” (singular, near) and “these” (plural, near) for things close to you in space or time.
• Use “that” (singular, far) and “those” (plural, far) for things farther away.
• Match singular/plural form to the noun you are replacing.
• Never use a demonstrative pronoun directly before a noun; otherwise, it acts as an adjective.

Following these rules ensures clear, correct English grammar and helps avoid common mistakes in both writing and speaking.

Practice: Demonstrative Pronouns Worksheet Example

• ________ is my friend. (Answer: This)
• Are ________ your shoes? (Answer: Those)
• ________ is not easy. (Answer: That)
• ________ are the best answers. (Answer: These)

Demonstrative Pronouns in Other Languages

In languages like French and Spanish, demonstrative pronouns change for gender and number. For example, in French, “celui” (masculine singular), “celle” (feminine singular), “ceux” (masculine plural), and “celles” (feminine plural) are used. This is different from English, where the four main forms stay the same regardless of gender.

Summary of Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns—this, that, these, those—are essential for pointing to specific people, objects, or ideas. They are vital for clear grammar in schoolwork, exams, and daily English. Mastery prevents repetition, improves writing, and boosts your confidence. Practise often for success in all English tasks.