Demonstrative Pronoun: Definition, Examples, Types, & Worksheet.

What is Demonstrative Pronoun

A demonstrative pronoun is used to point out a specific person or thing. It helps to represent the nouns that work as the subject and object in a sentence. It is identified by “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”.

The name of this pronoun is generated through the term demonstration, which means to identify, indicate, point out, showcase or explain something to someone. So, Demonstrative Pronoun does the same.

Moreover, it is used to signify something so you don’t have to repeat any specific words, making your communication more effective. Thus, it can be used to talk about people, objects, or animals.

This is the definition of Demonstrative pronoun, but many other authors have mentioned this type of pronoun in some other ways. So, let’s explore them in the next section.

Definitions of Demonstrative Pronoun.

There are many demonstrative pronoun definitions that must be acknowledged. So here are two main definitions, stated by two famous authorities.

The well-known Cambridge dictionary defines demonstrative pronouns as a “word” that is used to show which thing or person is referred to. Another definition presented by The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes it as a word used to point out the person or thing which is referred to and that can help to distinguish it from others of the same category. 

Let’s learn about this through some examples in detail.

Examples of Demonstrative pronouns

To understand the demonstrative pronoun in detail and to know its right usage, it is vital to take a look at the examples. This pronoun is used in everyday communication to showcase anything, such as a person or a place. Thus, we have shared some examples of demonstrative pronoun below to make you understand this pronoun.

1. This is my favourite and most interesting novel.
2. That is the guesthouse we were talking about.
3. These are my new heels.
4. Those are the students who got good grades in the 10th grade.
5. This is the chocolate cake I baked yesterday.
6. That was a great rom-com movie!
7. These are my least favourite songs as I don’t like pop music.
8. That is not the right answer to this question.
9. These are all the supplies and equipment we need.
10. Those are all the guests from Kashmir who are coming to our wedding.

These are some examples of demonstrative pronoun that can be used in a sentence as well as in our daily conversation. To use the right pronouns, you should first know the types of demonstrative pronoun. So, explore them in the next section.

Also read - New words

Types of Demonstrative pronouns

There are four types of demonstrative pronouns i.e. “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”. These are used differently according to the situation, such as for singular, you have to use “this” and “that”, and for plural “, these” and “those”. So let’s explore them in detail.

1. This

The use of “this” demonstrative pronoun is utilised especially for people or things that are at a distance, such as near or closer. It is used when the specific point or words denote the singular form. Also, it can be used in place of a subject or object. Thus, here is an example of this.

Subject: "This is my favourite story"

Object: "I like this dress"

Other examples:

• Your choice is good, but I like this.
• I need a new cap. This is old and smells bad.

2. That

Another type of demonstrative pronoun is “that”, used to describe a person or thing that is far off or in distance. Moreover, this can only be used with the singular form along with the subject and object. Here are some examples for this.

Subject: "That is a red car."

Object: "I don't want that, it’s not good in taste"

Other examples are:

• That was a great web series we watched last week.
• What’s that sound? Does any accident occur near the bridge? 

3. Those

When it comes to using demonstrative pronouns in plural form, you must use “those”. The use of this demonstrative pronoun is when we are pointing out multiple people, ideas and things that are at a distance or present far away from the speaker. Below are some of the examples for the same.

• Those are the hotels across the beach.
• Those were the opinions of the old generation given by students
• Those are the best cupcakes I've had in my life
• Those clouds in the sky are looking like cotton candy

4. These

The last type is “these”, which is again used to exhibit the people, things, and ideas who are near or closer to the speaker. Moreover, it is used with the plural form when talking about people or ideas in large numbers. So let’s have a look at the examples of demonstrative pronoun mentioned below.

• These are my favourite books.
• These are my school friends.
• I like these colours
• These papers are folded. 

These are the types of demonstrative pronoun along with their explanation and examples. Use them according to the form and situation. However, using the right rule can make your sentences more effective. So let’s learn how to use demonstrative pronoun in sentences in the next part.

How to Use Demonstrative Pronouns: Rules and Examples

As you get to know, that demonstrative pronoun is used in singular and plural forms. They are the major ones that work as a rule in this context. However, one thing to keep in mind is that when using Demonstrative pronoun, you have to use a verb that agrees with a specific singular or plural form. Thus, in the next section, an explanation of these two rules is provided in detail.

1. Singular

The demonstrative pronouns of the singular are “this” and “that”. It is specifically used in person, place, animal, or things that are closer in distance and time; here, this will be used, and when it is in distance or far away, it will be used in “that”. Here is an example of a demonstrative pronoun of this singular form.

• This is my pet dog, Pluto.
• This is my favourite café in this street.
• That is my colleague.
• That is the bookstore where you can buy books, novels, and storybooks at a lower cost.

2. Plural

Another rule you have to use is the demonstrative pronoun is the plural form. It is denoted by “these” and “those”. The use of demonstrative pronoun here is when anyone talks about people, places, animals, or things. In this case, “these” are used when the speaker is near or closer in distance or time and “those” when it is in distance or further away. Hence, here are some of the examples that can help you to understand this in depth.

• These are the students who missed their school bus.
• These were the puppies that were rescued from the nearest neighbourhood.
• Those are the girls who have been waiting at the reception for more than an hour now.
• There are so many birds here, but those sparrows are my favourite.

These are the two major ways on how you can use demonstrative pronouns. However, it is necessary to identify the situation and the speaker action to determine whether it would be singular or plural. 

Demonstrative Pronoun Vs Demonstrative Adjectives.

Sometimes, many candidates get confused between demonstrative pronoun and demonstrative adjectives. Only one point should be remembered to know the difference between demonstrative pronoun and demonstrative adjective that is words used in this might be similar, but they function differently.

Hence, the demonstrative pronoun is used in place of noun; on the other hand, a demonstrative adjective is used to express and provide more information about the noun present in the sentences. Hence, this is the small difference that can create confusion. Here is a table of examples that can help you to understand it in-depth.

Antecedents of Demonstrative Pronouns

The antecedent of a pronoun is considered to be the phrase or noun it denotes. Moreover, the antecedent typically seems or used beforehand the pronoun, previous in the sentence or in a previous sentence. However, it can sometimes act after the pronoun in the sentences.

The antecedent is of two types: an ambiguous antecedent (an Explicit antecedent) and an implied antecedent. The ambiguous or explicit antecedent is used when pronouns represent the unknown word. On the other side, the implied antecedents don’t need to mention the antecedents because it’s clear from context.

For example:

Ambiguous antecedent: This bike is new

Implied antecedents: These are the best denims.

Difference Between Demonstratives and Relative Pronouns

Relative and demonstrative pronouns are far different from each other. One is used to point out the specific thing or person, and the other is used to present the noun and provide additional information about a noun. 

Moreover, demonstrative pronouns are "this," "that," "these," and "those" words. Simultaneously, relative pronouns are "who," "which," "that," and "whom". Thus, in short, relative pronouns link the noun to clauses, and demonstrative pronouns give direct attention towards something. Here is an example for both pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns Examples:

• This time I won't be late.
• You can use that sugar for your cake.

Relative Pronouns Examples:

• The woman who lives next door is a doctor
• This is the person whom I was talking about

Also Read: Relative Pronoun

Demonstrative Pronoun Exercises with Answers.

Using demonstrative pronoun in a sentence can be easy, but sometimes learners get confused about using the right type. Thus, after exploring A to Z about this, it’s time to check how you have learned. Therefore, we have shared two demonstrative pronoun exercise along with its answer sheets in the next sections. So, let’s solve them together.

Exercise 1

This is the demonstrative pronoun exercise 1, which encompasses MCQ questions. Here you have to choose the right answer from the four given options. Also, use the answer key to cross-check your response.

1. ____ is my car here

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

2. ____ are my children over there on the slide.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

3. ____ is my bike over there.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

4. ____ are my cousins here, who came from USA.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

5. ____ car on the other side of road is mine.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

6. Do you know ____ teacher over there?

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

7. Can I use ____ pen here?

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

8. I love ____ cheese biscuits from here.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

9. ____ mountains in the distance are covered with snow.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

10. ____ cupcakes on the plate look delicious.

A. This

B. That

C. These

D. Those

Answer key

1. This
2. Those
3. That
4. These
5. That
6. Those
7. This
8. These
9. Those
10. Those

Exercise 2

This is the second demonstrative pronoun exercise comprise of fill in the blanks. Read the questions and fill in the gaps with the right demonstrative pronouns. Afterwards, check your answer by going through the answer key.

1. See, ___________ are my jeans.
2. ___________ are the flower plants over there which I planted this month.
3. Here, ___________ is the ticket for the concert.
4. Pay attention. _________ is an important question.
5. ____________ is the branded watch kept in that display which I’ll buy when I have sufficient money.
6. Have you seen ______________ red skates kept in the cabinet?
7. Did you bring _____________dirty clothes inside?
8. ____________ are the novels I got issued from the library.
9. ____________ is my villa which is at the end of the lane of this beach.
10. Are ______________ your sketch pens?

Answer key

1. These
2. Those
3. This
4. This
5. That
6. those
7. these
8. These
9. That
10. these

Conclusion

In a nutshell, demonstrative pronouns are used to point out a person or thing by using those, these, that, and this. It is important to use this pronoun in the right form, that is, singular and plural. However, using the wrong pronoun with different forms can change the sentence's meaning. Thus, to clear your perspective, we have shared two worksheets that can help you become a master in this. Moreover, if you want more exercise on another English grammar part, such as reflexive pronoun, noun, tense, verb, relative pronoun or more. For that, you can get this form from Gradding.com. Experts here will help you to solve as well as guide you to become proficient in using them.

FAQ’s

What are demonstrative pronouns?

Answer: Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to a particular person or object by using words like this, that, these and those. They describe relative time or distance, which helps to gauge which noun is being talked about. For instance,

• This book is interesting.
• That is my house.
• These cookies are delicious.
• Those are my friends.

What’s the difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives?

Answer: The major difference between the demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives is that they act differently, though the same words like these, those, this, and that are used same way in both. Therefore. Demonstrative pronouns are used to point the specific things or people, and demonstrative adjectives are used to provide more information and express the types. 

What are the 4 demonstrative pronouns?

Answer: The four demonstrative pronouns are “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”. These are used to point to any person or thing.

What are the rules for demonstrative pronouns?

Answer: Just like all the pronouns, the demonstrative pronouns must follow the same rules followed by the noun. Thus, it means they can perform as a subject or an object and also adhere to subject-verb agreement. Therefore, that and this a singular nouns and these and those are plural nouns.