Blog about English
Using this, that, these and those.
Demonstrative pronouns identify specific people, things or ideas in relation to the speaker.
The demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these and those.
This refers to a singular noun, while these refers to a plural noun that is near the speaker.
Nearness may be physical, temporal or conceptual.
That refers to a singular noun, while those refers to a plural noun that is distant from the speaker.
Distance may be physical, temporal or conceptual.
Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns, while demonstrative determiners modify nouns.
Compare This is expensive with This book is expensive.
Demonstratives distinguish between things that are near and far.
The choice depends on the speaker's perspective rather than absolute distance.
Demonstratives may refer to time as well as location.
Compare this week with that day and these days with those years.
Demonstratives may refer backward or forward to information in a conversation or text.
This often introduces a new idea, while that frequently refers to something already mentioned.
Speakers sometimes choose demonstratives to express emotional involvement or detachment.
Compare this wonderful idea with that ridiculous excuse.
Those may replace a previously mentioned plural noun phrase.
Example: The red apples are sweeter than those on the table.
Formal writing often uses demonstratives to connect ideas and improve cohesion.
Clear reference helps readers identify the intended antecedent.
This commonly introduces explanations, examples and summaries.
Examples include This is because..., Consider this... and This illustrates that....
Choose demonstratives according to number, distance and grammatical function.
Common mistakes include confusing this and these, using demonstrative pronouns instead of determiners and unclear demonstrative reference.