In this unit, you will learn what demonstrative pronouns are, how to use them, and their correct pronunciation. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to identify and use these pronouns confidently in your English conversations.
What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are words we use to point to specific things or people. They help us clarify whether something is close to us (this, these) or far from us (that, those). These pronouns can refer to singular or plural nouns.
- This
- That
- These
- Those
Singular vs. Plural Demonstrative Pronouns
Here’s a table summarizing the four demonstrative pronouns:
| Pronoun | Singular/Plural | Proximity | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| This | Singular | Close to the speaker | This is my book. |
| That | Singular | Far from the speaker | That is a bird. |
| These | Plural | Close to the speaker | These are my pencils. |
| Those | Plural | Far from the speaker | Those are cars. |
How to Use Demonstrative Pronouns
1. Referring to Objects
We use demonstrative pronouns to replace nouns when referring to objects. For example:
Singular:
- This is a pen.
- That is an apple.
Plural:
- These are pens.
- Those are apples.
2. Pointing Out People or Things
Demonstrative pronouns can also refer to people or abstract ideas. For example:
- This is my friend.
- That was a great idea.
3. Using Demonstratives as Adjectives
Sometimes, demonstrative pronouns are used as adjectives before a noun. For example:
- This book is interesting.
- Those students are smart.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using this or these for things far away.
✘ This is a mountain far away.
✔ That is a mountain far away. - Mixing singular and plural forms.
✘ This are books.
✔ These are books.
Practice Games
Summary
Let’s review what we’ve learned about demonstrative pronouns:
- This and that are singular.
- These and those are plural.
- This and these refer to things close to the speaker.
- That and those refer to things far from the speaker.
- This is fun!
- Those are easy to remember.