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BeginnerDeterminers

Learn Demonstratives (this, that, these, those) in English

Point to people and things near or far using this, that, these, and those.

Learning goal
Recognize and use this pattern in context.
Practice
10 randomized questions with explanations.
Suggested workflow
Study the examples, then take the quiz.

Grammar Focus

Demonstratives are special words in English used to point to specific people, objects, or ideas — either near to you or far away. The four demonstratives are this, that, these, and those. They tell the listener exactly which thing or person you are referring to, based on distance.

  • Use this for a single thing or person that is near you: "This book is interesting."
  • Use that for a single thing or person that is far from you: "That building is very old."
  • Use these for multiple things or people that are near you: "These shoes are too small."
  • Use those for multiple things or people that are far from you: "Those clouds look dark."
  • Demonstratives can work as determiners (before a noun) or as pronouns (replacing a noun): "This is my bag" (pronoun) vs "This bag is mine" (determiner).

Form & Structure

Near vs Far (singular)

Near: this + singular noun | Far: that + singular noun
This chair is comfortable. (near you)
That restaurant is very popular. (far from you)
This is my phone. (pronoun — near)

Near vs Far (plural)

Near: these + plural noun | Far: those + plural noun
These oranges are fresh. (near you)
Those children are playing in the park. (far from you)
These are my keys. (pronoun — near, plural)

As Pronouns

This/that/these/those can replace a noun when the meaning is clear from context
Is this your jacket? (pointing at something near)
What is that? (pointing at something far)
Are these your glasses? (pointing at nearby objects)

Common Mistakes

Using 'this' with a plural noun

This books are mine.
These books are mine.

Tip: Use 'these' — not 'this' — when the noun is plural and nearby.

Using 'those' with a singular noun

Those child is crying.
That child is crying.

Tip: Use 'that' for a single item far away; 'those' is only for plural nouns at a distance.

Adding a noun after a demonstrative pronoun

This here book is mine.
This book is mine. / This is mine.

Tip: When a demonstrative acts as a pronoun, it stands alone. When it acts as a determiner, it comes directly before the noun without 'here' or 'there'.

Why This Grammar Matters

Shopping and pointing to items

“Can I try on these shoes in size eight?”
“How much does that jacket in the window cost?”

Introducing people or things

“This is my colleague, Sarah.”
“These are the documents you asked for.”

Giving directions or describing locations

“Take that road on the left — it leads to the town centre.”
“This street is very busy in the mornings.”

Talking on the phone or in online calls

“Hello, this is Maria from the accounts department.”
“Is that the manager I spoke to yesterday?”