Demonstratives in English Grammar

What are demonstratives?

Demonstratives in English are the words this, that, these and those. We use them as pronouns or determiners to specify a particular noun (person or thing) in relation to its spatial or temporal proximity.

We use this/that with singular and uncountable nouns, and these/those with plural nouns.

This/these indicate something spatially or temporally close to the speaker; that/those indicate things further away in distance and time.

Learn the difference between this/that/these/those in English grammar and get tips on how to use them correctly. You can test your knowledge in the interactive exercises.

Contents

Customer: Do these earrings suit me?

Sales Assistant: I think they’re nice, they match this blue necklace, actually.

Customer: Oh, I didn’t see that blue one! Can I try it on?

Sales Assistant: Of course, here you go.

Customer: Thanks. This is beautiful. I’ll take this necklace and these earrings, please.

Sales Assistant: This ring completes the set, if you’re interested. If you buy the complete set, you get those earrings over there for free.

Customer: I’ll take everything. I have an important event this weekend and I need to look my best!

How to use demonstratives in English grammar

To use English demonstratives correctly, we need to know two things:

  1. Is the noun being referred to singular or plural?
  2. Is the noun close to the speaker or further away?

Singular or plural?

Examples:
this necklace – that necklace
singular noun
this money – that money
uncountable noun
  • plural nouns → these/those
Example:
these earrings – those earrings

Close or distant?

  • close proximity (= here) → this/these
Example:
They match this necklace right here.
  • more distant (= there) → that/those
Example:
Oh, I didn’t see that necklace over there!

Info

Demonstratives not only express geographical proximity (= here/there), but also temporal proximity (= now/then):

  • present moment or near future → this/these
Examples:
This week has been busy so far.
the week is still ongoing
I have an important event this weekend and I need to look my best!
the upcoming weekend
  • completed time in the past or a time in the distant future → that/those
Examples:
Back in those days, the market only had a few stalls. Now it’s massive!
referring to the past
Next year is the market’s ten year anniversary. There will be a big party on that day.
more distant future

Demonstrative determiners vs. pronouns in English grammar

The demonstratives can be either determiners or pronouns.

As determiners, the demonstratives come before the noun they modify. This can be a person, place, thing, time, etc.

Examples:
Do these earrings suit me?
This market is great!

As pronouns, the demonstratives replace a previously mentioned or already familiar noun. The noun is therefore implicit, which avoids repetition.

Example:
These are the earrings on special offer.
these = these earrings

Using the demonstrative pronouns

We use demonstrative pronouns mostly to refer to things and ideas rather than people (see below for the exceptions to this!).

Examples:
This is my favourite stall at the market.
this = this stall
If you buy the complete set, you get those for free.
those = those earrings
That’s a bargain!
that = the special offer

Demonstrative pronouns for people

Generally speaking, we do not use demonstrative pronouns to refer to people, as this can sometimes sound unclear. Instead, we use the demonstrative determiners:

Example:
This sales assistant is very helpful.
not: This is very helpful

However, we can use the demonstratives as pronouns when identifying or introducing people. They usually appear with is:

Examples:
Let me introduce you two. This is Caroline. Caroline, this is Fred.
this = this person
—Who is that guy over there?
—That is John, he sells pottery at the market.
that = that person

This is also typical in phonecalls:

Example:
Hello, is that Ms Dixon? This is Geoff calling from the market.

This one or that one?

When using this and that as pronouns (i.e. without an explicit noun), we can add the word one for emphasis. However, it is usually optional.

Example:
Oh, I didn’t see that (one)!
that one = that necklace

While we can use the plural form ones after these/those, it is slightly less common.

Example:
Do these (ones) suit me?
these ones = these earrings

However, we must use one(s) when this/that/these/those appear with an adjective.

Example:
Can I try on those green ones?
not: Can I try on those green?
That sparkly one is very nice.
not: That sparkly is very nice.
This new one is on sale.
not: This new is on sale.