🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What are Demonstratives?

Demonstratives are words that point to specific nouns — this, that, these, those. They show which person or thing you are talking about, especially whether it's near you (this, these) or far (that, those). They also indicate singular vs. plural.

Short answer

Demonstratives point to specific objects: this and these (near), that and those (far). This/that are singular; these/those are plural.

This/That vs. These/Those

Singular

•this = near me (this book)
•that = far from me (that car)

Plural

•these = near me (these books)
•those = far from me (those cars)

Step-by-step worked examples

Choose this or that: 'I like _____ book in my hand.'

The book is in your hand — close to you.
Use 'this' for something near you.
Answer: I like this book.

Fill in: '_____ cars over there are expensive.'

The cars are far away — not near you.
Use 'those' for plural things far away.
Answer: Those cars over there are expensive.

Complete: 'I prefer _____ phones to _____ ones.'

The first phones are near (these).
The second phones are far (those).
Answer: I prefer these phones to those ones.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Choose: 'I don't like _____ shoes I'm wearing.'

Correct answer: B. 'these' — the shoes are on you, so they're near/present.

Q2.This, that, these, those are…

Correct answer: B. They are demonstrative adjectives (modify a noun) or demonstrative pronouns (replace a noun).

Q3.Plural of 'this' is…

Correct answer: C. 'these' is the plural of 'this.'

Q4.Use demonstrative: '_____ is my dog.' (pointing at dog nearby)

Correct answer: B. 'This' for something near you or in the present.

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Common mistakes

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Using 'this' for far objects. — Correct: Use 'this' for near; 'that' for far.

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Plural of 'that' is 'thats'. — Correct: Plural of 'that' is 'those'.

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All demonstratives are pronouns. — Correct: They can be adjectives (this book) or pronouns (I like this).

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Mixing singular and plural: 'those book'. — Correct: Use plural noun: 'those books'.

FAQ

What are demonstratives?

Words that point to specific nouns: this, that, these, those. They show which object and whether it's near or far.

When do you use 'this' vs. 'that'?

'this' for things near you or in the present; 'that' for things far from you or in the past.

Is 'this' a pronoun or adjective?

Both! Adjective: 'this book' (modifies book). Pronoun: 'I like this' (replaces the noun).

Can demonstratives stand alone?

Yes. 'I like this' (no noun) is fine if context is clear.