Demonstrative Pronouns: This, That, These and Those

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The demonstrative pronouns in English are this, that, these and those. They point to people or things with words instead of your finger. Choosing the right one depends on two questions: is the thing singular or plural, and is it near or far?

This guide is for A2 to B1 learners who want to use this, that, these and those correctly. By the end you will know the simple grid that decides each one, the difference between a demonstrative pronoun and a determiner, how they are used for time and on the phone, and the mistakes to avoid. Three exercises are on this page so you can practice straight away.

On this page

Quick video summary
What they are
The grid: near, far, singular, plural
Pronoun or determiner?
Other common uses
Common mistakes
Practice exercises
FAQ
Key takeaways

A quick video summary

What demonstrative pronouns are

This, that, these and those point to people or things. They can do two jobs. As a determiner, the word comes before a noun: “How much are those red bags?” As a demonstrative pronoun, the word stands alone and replaces the noun: “How much are those?” The meaning is the same; the difference is whether a noun follows.

The grid: near or far, singular or plural

Two things decide which word you use: the number (one or many) and the distance (near you or far from you).

	Near (here)	Far (there)
Singular	this (this soup)	that (that car)
Plural	these (these shoes)	those (those bags)

This and these are for things near you, or happening now, or that you feel close to. That and those are for things further away, or in the past, or that feel more distant. Use this and that with singular or uncountable nouns, and these and those with plural nouns.

Pronoun or determiner? Spotting the difference

Sentence	Role
I like this jacket.	Determiner (followed by the noun “jacket”).
I like this.	Pronoun (stands alone, replaces the noun).
Those apples look fresh.	Determiner.
Those look fresh.	Pronoun.

The rule is simple, using it naturally is the goal. Book a free trial lesson and practice this, that, these and those with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.

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Other common uses

Time: this and these for now or the near future, that and those for the past. “I’m busy this morning.” “In those days, life was slower.”
On the phone: use this to say who you are, and that to ask who the other person is. “Hello, this is Paul.” “Is that Sarah?”
Identifying people: “This is my brother.” “Is that your teacher over there?”

Common mistakes with demonstrative pronouns

Using “this” with a plural noun. Wrong: “this shoes.” Right: “these shoes.” Use these and those for plurals.
Mixing up near and far. Use this and these for things near you, that and those for things further away.
On the phone, swapping this and that. Say “This is Paul” for yourself, and “Is that Sarah?” for the other person.
Adding “here” or “there” unnecessarily. “this here book” and “that there car” are non-standard. Just say “this book,” “that car.”

Practice exercises on demonstrative pronouns

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences with THIS or THAT.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with THIS, THAT, THESE or THOSE.

Exercise 3. Decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

Quick self-check

Choose the right word, then reveal the answers.

1. ____ book in my hand is interesting. (singular, near)
2. ____ mountains in the distance are beautiful. (plural, far)
3. On the phone, to say who you are: “Hello, ____ is Paul.”

Show answers

1. This. 2. Those. 3. this (“This is Paul”).

How did that feel? Choosing the right word in an exercise is one thing. Using it without thinking while you speak is the goal. In a free trial lesson, an experienced native teacher will have you using these naturally within minutes.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the demonstrative pronouns in English?

The four demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these and those. They point to people or things. This and that are singular, these and those are plural. This and these are for things near you, that and those for things further away.

What is the difference between this and that?

Both are singular. This is for something near you, happening now, or that you feel close to. That is for something further away, in the past, or more distant. “This coffee is hot” (in your hand) versus “That building is old” (across the street).

What is the difference between these and those?

Both are plural. These is for things near you (“these shoes I’m wearing”), and those is for things further away (“those stars in the sky”). They are the plural forms of this and that.

What is the difference between a demonstrative pronoun and a determiner?

A determiner comes before a noun (“this book,” “those bags”). A demonstrative pronoun stands alone and replaces the noun (“I like this,” “How much are those?”). The words are the same; the difference is whether a noun follows.

Can this, that, these and those refer to time?

Yes. This and these point to now or the near future (“this morning,” “these days”), while that and those point to the past (“that year,” “in those days”).

Key takeaways

The demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these and those.
This and that are singular; these and those are plural.
This and these are near; that and those are far.
As a determiner the word comes before a noun; as a pronoun it stands alone.
On the phone: “This is…” for yourself, “Is that…?” for the other person.

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Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.