<strong>What are Demonstrative Pronouns?</strong>

Demonstrative pronouns are words that replace specific nouns to indicate their position in space or time. They include words like this, that, these, and those.<br/>This is my favorite book. (Refers to a book near the speaker.)<br/><img class="wp-image-3079" alt="Demonstrative Pronouns – Definition, Usage, and Examples" src="https://aceenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/What-are-Demonstrative-Pronouns-Definition-and-Clear-Examples.png" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Demonstrative Pronouns | Definition and Examples List AceEnglishGrammar

Demonstrative pronouns help point out specific people, places, or things in a sentence. They replace nouns to clarify what the speaker or writer is referring to. These pronouns indicate whether the noun is singular or plural and whether it is near or far from the speaker. Understanding demonstrative pronouns is essential for clear communication in English.

What are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are words that replace specific nouns to indicate their position in space or time. They include words like this, that, these, and those.
This is my favorite book. (Refers to a book near the speaker.)

Table of Contents

List of Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns include four main words in English:

This (singular, near) – This is my pen.
That (singular, far) – That is your bag.
These (plural, near) – These are my keys.
Those (plural, far) – Those are their houses.

Rules for Using Demonstrative Pronouns with Examples

1️⃣ Singular & Plural Reference

This & That → Singular nouns
These & Those → Plural nouns

This is my phone, That was a great idea ( Singular nouns)
These are my keys, and those were my best days. (Plural nouns)

2️⃣ Near & Far Reference

This & These → Near objects/people
That & Those → Distant objects/people

This book is interesting. (Near)
That building is huge. (Far)

These apples are fresh. (Near)
Those birds are flying away. (Far)

3️⃣ Avoiding Repetition

Replace a noun to prevent redundancy.

❌ The weather is nice. The weather makes me happy.
✅ The weather is nice. That makes me happy.

4️⃣ Referring to Time

This & These → Present/Future
That & Those → Past

This year is tough. (Present)
That was a good day. (Past)

5️⃣ Introducing & Emphasizing

Highlight a topic or opinion.

This is what I meant!
That is exactly the point!

6️⃣ Telephone Conversations

Identify yourself or the caller.

Hello, this is Amina speaking.
Is that Zaid on the line?

Demonstrative Pronoun vs. Demonstrative Adjective

Feature	Demonstrative Pronoun	Demonstrative Adjective
Function	Replace a noun	Modify a noun
Example	This is mine.	This book is mine.
Usage	Stands alone	Comes before a noun

Demonstrative Pronouns Examples

Here are examples of demonstrative pronouns:

This is my book.
That is your pen.
These are my keys.
Those are your shoes.
Is this your bag?
I like that.
These are beautiful flowers.
Those were amazing days.
This belongs to me.
That is not mine.
I will take these.
She wants those.
This is my favorite song.
That was a great movie.
Are these yours?
Can you see those?
This is delicious!
That looks expensive.
These make me happy.
Those were my friends.
I don’t like this.
He bought that yesterday.
These are too small.
Those are the best options.
This is what I need.

Exercise on Demonstrative Pronouns

Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun.

_____ is my favorite dress. (this/these)
_____ are my new shoes. (these/those)
_____ is the road to success. (this/that)
_____ was the best decision I ever made. (this/that)
_____ are delicious mangoes. (these/those)
_____ is a difficult task. (this/these)
_____ was a great experience. (this/that)
_____ are the flowers I bought. (these/those)
_____ is a great opportunity. (this/these)
_____ were my childhood memories. (these/those)
_____ is an important rule to follow. (this/these)
_____ was a beautiful painting. (this/that)
_____ are my favorite books. (these/those)
_____ is the cake I baked. (this/that)
_____ are the gifts for you. (these/those)
_____ was a wonderful trip. (this/that)
_____ are my relatives. (these/those)
_____ is an expensive watch. (this/these)
_____ was a good movie. (this/that)
_____ are my best memories. (these/those)

Answers

This
Those
This
These
That
This
These
This
That
These
This
That
These
This
Those
This
That
These
This
These
That
These
This
That
These

Why are Demonstrative Pronouns Important in English?

Demonstrative pronouns improve clarity in speech and writing. They help avoid unnecessary repetition and indicate the location or time reference of a noun. Mastering them enhances fluency and communication skills in English.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between “this” and “that”?
This refers to something nearby, while that refers to something farther away. Example: This is my phone (close). That is your phone (far).

2. Can demonstrative pronouns be used for people?
Yes, but it is less common. We usually use demonstrative pronouns for objects, ideas, and situations. For people, we often use phrases like “this person” or “those people.”

3. How do I know when to use a demonstrative adjective instead?
Use a demonstrative pronoun when it replaces a noun (This is mine). Use a demonstrative adjective when it describes a noun (This book is mine).

4. Can demonstrative pronouns be used in questions?
Yes! Example: What is this? or Who are those? They help in asking about specific objects or people.

5. Are demonstrative pronouns different in formal and informal speech?
No, their usage remains the same in both formal and informal contexts, but they should be used clearly to avoid ambiguity.

Conclusion

Demonstrative pronouns play a key role in English grammar by replacing nouns and making sentences clearer. Understanding their rules and differences from demonstrative adjectives helps improve communication. By practicing their usage in sentences, learners can master this essential grammar topic.