Demonstratives
A1 BeginnerDemonstratives identify specific people or objects based on their distance from the speaker and their quantity. They function as both determiners and pronouns to indicate physical or temporal proximity.
Overview
Demonstratives show the relationship between the speaker and a noun. This and these refer to items within reach or nearby, while that and those refer to items further away. They must agree in number with the noun they modify or replace.
Distance and Number
Use singular forms for one person or thing, and plural forms for two or more. Distance can be physical space or a point in time.
| Distance | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Near | this | these |
| Far | that | those |
Examples
Common mistakes
I like this shoes.
I like these shoes.
The demonstrative must match the plural noun.
Look at these clouds over there on the mountain.
Look at those clouds over there on the mountain.
Use 'those' for plural objects that are far away.
Practice
Is ___ your pen here on the desk?
Show answer
this
Answer:this
Why:The pen is singular and 'here' indicates it is near the speaker.
Look at ___ stars in the sky tonight.
Show answer
those
Answer:those
Why:Stars are plural and physically far away from the speaker.
___ books in my bag are very heavy.
Show answer
these
Answer:these
Why:Books are plural and 'in my bag' indicates they are near the speaker.