• This is my car.
• That‘s yours.
• These are my books.
• Those are John’s books.
• Who’s that?
• That‘s Christian.

There are four demonstrative pronouns we usually use to replace a noun. Let’s see the following tables.

Demonstrative Pronouns	Function	Distance To The Speaker
this	To indicate and represent a singular noun.	Near
that	To indicate and represent a singular noun	Far
these	To indicate and represent a plural noun	Near
those	To indicate and represent a plural noun	Far

Demonstrative pronouns can stand alone to represent nouns, while demonstrative adjectives must be followed by nouns. Let’s see the following table.

Demonstrative Pronoun	Demonstrative Adjective
this that these those	this house that girl these houses those girls

Let’s see them in sentences!

Demonstrative Pronoun	Demonstrative Adjective
I like this. That‘s too expensive These are my new books. Those are our team members.	I like this house. That house is too expensive. These books are about travel. Those people are our team members.

Demonstrative pronoun this can be used for introduction. Let’s see the following example.

• Jack ( to George),”George, this is  Mary.”
• Jack ( to Mary),”This is my brother, George.”

Demonstrative Pronouns Followed By One/Ones

Demonstrative pronouns are usually followed by one or ones  to show options or comparison. Let’s see the following example.

• This shirt is too small. I’ll buy that one.
• “Which trousers do you like?” “I like these ones.”

In this exercise you have to complete the sentences with this, that, these or those.

1. Which books do you want to borrow, this or …?
2. I like … books better than those ones.
3. This is my house and … is my brother’s.
4. Look at  … ducks. They are coming into our yard.
5. This Lamborghini is so expensive. That’s why I prefer …. one on the corner which has a reasonable price.
6. Can you …. clouds above? It’s going to rain. Let’s get into the house.
7. ….. apples are fresher than those ones.
8. Don’t shoot …. bird. It’s protected by laws.
9. Can you get me … tomato, Dear?
10. We are lost. Let’s ask …. man. He is fishing by the river.

Exercise II

Answer the following questions (You can speak with your partner). Try to use demonstrative pronouns or adjectives.

1. Which one do you prefer, this house by the road or that one on the hill?
2. What are you going to do this weekend?
3. Can you describe two of your best friends?
4. Imagine you’re sitting in your living room. Describe things around you.
5. Get your family photograph. Describe everyone in the photo to someone.

Answers

Exercise I

Download the exercise here.