This, that, these and those: demonstrative pronouns

this, that, these and those they are demonstrative pronouns (demonstrative pronouns) in English.

Demonstrative pronouns are used to reference or demonstrate the position of an element during a speech.

Know what each of these pronouns means:

• this: this, this, this.
• that: that, that, that, that, that.
• these: these these.
• those: those, those, those, those.

To know which demonstrative pronoun should be used, it is necessary to pay attention to the number (singular/plural) and the distance of the element referred to in the speech in relation to the sender of the message.

Read the explanations below and know when to use this, that, these and those.

Use of this

the meaning of this é This one, it is or this.

this is used to reference a singular element, whatever near the sender of the message, that is, who says the phrase.

this teddy bear is cute. (This teddy bear is cute.)

Note that in the example above, the element referred to in the speech (teddy bear) is singular and is close to the sender of the message.

See some more sentences with this.

Examples:

• this house is old. (This house is old)
• This is my telephone number. (This is my phone number.)
• this bike is mine. (This hair stand is mine.)
• This is my brother David. (This is my brother David.)
• This store opened yesterday. (This store opened yesterday.)
• This is a bottle opener. (This is a bottle opener.)

Use of that

the meaning of that é that, That, that, that one or that one.

that is used to reference a singular element, whatever away from the sender of the message, that is, who says the phrase.

that teddy bear is cute. (That teddy bear is cute.)

Note that in the example above, the element referred to in the speech (teddy bear) is singular and is far from the sender of the message.

See some more sentences with that.

Examples:

• That house is old. (That house is old)
• that is my bike. (This is my bike.)
• That car is mine. (This car is mine.)
• That is my brother David. (That's my brother David.)
• That restaurant opened yesterday. (This restaurant opened yesterday.)
• That is an old watch. (This is an antique clock.)

Difference between this and that

So much this how much that are used to refer to a singular element.

The difference between using one and the other is that this is used when the sender of the message refers to an element that is close to it, and that is used when the sender of the message refers to an element that is far away from it.

Use of these

these is the plural of this.

the meaning of these is it these or these.

these is used to reference elements in the plural, that they are near the sender of the message, that is, who says the phrase.

These teddy bears are cute. (These teddy bears are cute.)

Note that in the example above, the elements referred to in the speech (teddy bears) are in the plural and are close to the sender of the message.

See some more sentences with these.

Examples:

• These houses are old. (These houses are old)
• These are my new tennis shoes. (These are my new shoes.)
• These bikes are mine. (These bikes are mine.)
• These are my brothers David and Daniel. (These are my brothers David and Daniel.)
• These stores opened yesterday. (These stores opened yesterday.)
• These bottles are empty. (These bottles are empty.)

Use of those

those is the plural of that.

the meaning of those é Those, these, those ones or those.

those is used to reference elements in the plural, that they are away from the sender of the message, that is, who says the phrase.

those teddy bears are cute. (Those teddy bears are cute.)

Note that, in the example above, the elements referred to in the speech (teddy bears) are singular and are far from the sender of the message.

See some more sentences with those.

Examples:

• those houses are old. (Those houses are old.)
• those girls are my students. (These girls are my students.)
• Those cars are mine. (Those cars are mine.)
• Those are my brothers David and Daniel. (These are my brothers David and Daniel.)
• Those factories opened yesterday. (These factories opened yesterday.)
• Whose books are those? (Whose books are those?)

Difference between these and those

So much these how much those are used to refer to plural elements.

The difference between using one and the other is that these is used when the sender of the message refers to elements that are close to it, and those is used when the sender of the message refers to elements that are far away from it.

Video

Watch the video to see a summary of demonstrative pronouns in English.

THIS, THESE, THAT, THOSE | Demonstrative pronouns

See too:

• English pronouns
• Plural of nouns rule - Plural of nouns
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• much and many
• how much how many
• who and who
• which and what

Exercises

Look at the image and select the correct option to complete the sentences:

1. __________ is a ball.

a) This
b) That
c) These
d) Those

See Answer

Correct alternative: a) This

2. __________ is a doll.
a) This
b) That
c) These
d) Those

See Answer

Correct alternative: a) That

3. __________ are pigs.

a) This
b) That
c) These
d) Those

See Answer

Correct alternative: c) These

4. __________ are hens.

a) This
b) That
c) These
d) Those

See Answer

Correct alternative: d) Those