Demonstrative Pronouns: Definition, Types, Examples, Rules, Preparation Tips & Exercises with Answers

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a demonstrative pronoun is a word like "this," "that," "these," and "those" that is used to identify a specific person or thing within a sentence. These pronouns stand in place of a noun to avoid repetition and can indicate something's proximity (near or far) or number (singular or plural).

Demonstrative words are words, for example "this", "that", "these", and "those", that show which person or thing is being referred to: In the sentence "This is my brother", "this" is a demonstrative pronoun. 

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Demonstrative pronouns are divided into this, that, these, and those, with each having its role in indicating the number, be it singular or plural, or the distance near or far of an object or idea. Understanding the types of demonstrative pronouns will help students avoid confusion while framing sentences. 

For example, “this” and “these” are used to describe something close, while “that” and “those” refer to things farther away. In the table below, we have shared the different types of demonstrative pronouns, their descriptions, and examples. A clear grasp of these types is the first step toward mastering their usage.

Pronoun	Number	Distance	Example
This	Singular	Near	This is my cook book.
That	Singular	Far	That was a TV show.
These	Plural	Near	These are ripe fruits.
Those	Plural	Far	Those were her sandals.

Demonstrative pronouns, like all grammar elements, follow certain rules, like they must always agree in number with the noun they replace, and their placement in the sentence determines clarity. 

Using the wrong form often changes the meaning or makes a sentence grammatically incorrect. The rules of demonstrative pronouns guide whether they act independently or alongside other words. Learning these rules ensures accuracy and fluency in both written and spoken English. Here we have shared some examples for students' reference - 

Used without a noun: Demonstrative pronouns stand alone, unlike demonstrative adjectives. A demonstrative pronoun directly replaces a noun and does not need another word after it. But when the same word is placed before a noun, it becomes a demonstrative adjective. Look at these examples carefully:

Right - This is delicious.
Here, “this” stands alone and directly refers to food. It is a pronoun because no noun follows it.

Wrong - This cake is delicious.
Here, “this” comes before the noun cake. That makes it a demonstrative adjective, not a pronoun.

Right - That is my bag.
“That” replaces the noun completely, pointing to the bag without naming it again. It is functioning as a pronoun.

Wrong - That bag is mine.
Now, that describes the noun bag. Since it is qualifying the noun, it works as an adjective.

Right - These are comfortable.
“These” stands alone and directly refers to shoes, clothes, or chairs (whatever is being discussed). It is a pronoun because no noun follows it.

Wrong - These shoes are comfortable.
In this version, “these” modifies the noun shoes. Hence, it is a demonstrative adjective.

Right - Those are amazing.
Here, “those” themselves point to the objects (like movies, dresses, or places) without naming them again. It functions as a pronoun.

Wrong - Those movies are amazing.
When “those” is placed before the noun movies, it describes the movies, so it is an adjective.

Right - This is the best I’ve ever had.
Here, “this” refers to a particular dish, drink, or experience in general, standing completely on its own. It is a pronoun.

Wrong - This pizza is the best I’ve ever had.
Here, “this” directly qualifies the noun pizza, turning it into an adjective.

1. Number Agreement: Use singular forms (this/that) with singular nouns; plural forms (these/those) with plural nouns.
   
2. Distance Clarity:
• Use "this/these" for something physically or temporally close.
• Use "that/those" for something distant in time or space.
  
3. Context is key: Demonstrative pronouns must refer to something previously mentioned or observable.

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While demonstrative pronouns follow fixed rules, there are also some exceptions where usage can be tricky. For example, their role in abstract ideas or implied references may not be straightforward. Sometimes context decides whether a word is functioning as a pronoun or a determiner. 

Such exceptions appear in competitive exams to test a deeper understanding of the student. By knowing these exceptions, students can avoid confusion in real-world communication. Here are some examples to cement this concept for you - 

1 - He failed the exam. That surprised everyone.

Here, that doesn’t point to the exam itself, but the entire event of failing.

2 - He crashed the car. That was a brutal accident.

That refers to the whole action of crashing the car, not the car alone.

3 - She quit her job without notice. That shocked her manager.

The word that replaces the sudden act of quitting, showing it can stand for an entire event.

4 - He donated all his savings to her education. This inspired the whole family.

Here, this points to the entire generous act of donating, not a single object.

5 - They argued all night. That ruined the party for everyone.
The word that captures the complete event of arguing all night, which spoiled the party.

By now, we have understood “this” or “that” is used in this way; it doesn’t replace a noun directly, but instead sums up an entire situation. In exams, if a demonstrative pronoun seems to “stand for a whole sentence or event,” students must recognize it as referring to an idea or clause.

Students often confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives, leading to errors. Along with this, another frequent mistake students make is by mismatching singular/plural forms or misplacing them in a sentence. 

These errors may seem small, but they can completely change the meaning and the whole context. By going through these common mistakes, students will be able to strengthen their grammar foundation and make better sentences. Correct usage builds both accuracy and confidence in exams as well as everyday communication. In the table below, we have shared the lists of frequent errors in demonstrative pronouns and how to avoid them in the future.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
These is nice.	These are nice.	"These" is plural. Use "are".
That are the boys.	Those are the boys.	"That" is singular; "those" matches the plural noun.
This are my books.	These are my books.	Again, plural subject needs plural demonstrative.

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• Types of Verbs in English Grammar
• Prepositions and Their Kinds

There is no sure-shot way to prepare for demonstrative pronouns specifically, just like students do for any other subject or specific topic. As it is a part of the English grammar subject to master demonstrative pronouns, students must have consistent practice by reading newspapers, novels, and exam passages. Practicing with varied examples ensures accuracy in identification. This practice will help them learn and observe their usage in context. With the right preparation techniques, students can ace their demonstrative pronouns can become one of the easiest topics to score from. To prepare for the demonstrative pronouns, students need regular practice and to follow the right approach.

Some students even go on to make small flashcards using components - “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those” for practice, which is also an effective practice. From the following points, they can check effective preparation tips.

• Compare demonstrative pronouns with adjectives.
• Practice by pointing out real-life objects and saying: “This is…”, “That is…”.
• Read newspapers and highlight sentences using demonstratives.
• Take timed grammar quizzes to reinforce usage.
• Solve past question papers to strengthen exam readiness. 

Identifying demonstrative pronouns is the first step to excelling in it. To identify demonstrative pronouns, pay attention to their function within a sentence. Demonstrative pronouns stand alone and directly replace a noun rather than just describing it. For example, in “This is mine,” the word “this” acts as a pronoun, not an adjective. 

Spotting such differences requires a careful reading of the sentence. Below, we have shared the most popular tricks on how to distinguish them.

While identifying, ask these questions:

• Is it pointing to something?
• Is it replacing a noun?
• Is it singular/plural, near/far?

 If yes, then it’s likely a demonstrative pronoun.

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• What is English Simple Present Tense?
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