Demonstratives

What are demonstratives?

Use — point to people or things

Near — this (singular) · these (plural)

Far — that (singular) · those (plural)

Near vs far

this — one thing near you — This is my bag.

these — more than one near you — These are my shoes.

that — one thing far from you — That is her car.

those — more than one far from you — Those are her books.

Before nouns and alone

Before noun — This book is great.

Before noun — Those students are clever.

Alone — ‘What is that?’ — no noun needed

Warning — NOT ‘this books’ — use ‘these books’

Recap

Singular near — this

Plural near — these

Singular far — that

Plural far — those

Demonstratives — Exercises

Choose the correct answer

Circle the correct option.

1. _____ is my book. (near, singular) (Those / These / This)
2. _____ are her keys. (near, plural) (That / This / These)
3. _____ is her car. (far, singular) (This / These / That)
4. _____ students over there are very clever. (far, plural) (This / These / Those)
5. _____ is a great film! (near — you are watching it) (Those / That / This)

Fill in the blank

Write the correct word.

1.   shoes are very comfortable. (near, plural)
2. What is  ? (pointing far away)
3.   houses on the hill are very old. (far, plural)
4. Is   your phone? (near, singular)
5. I like   shoes. (near, plural)

Demonstratives — Answer Key

Choose the correct answer

1. This — Near + one thing → This is my book.
2. These — Near + more than one → These are her keys.
3. That — Far + one thing → That is her car.
4. Those — Over there (far) + plural → Those students.
5. This — You are watching it now — it is here with you → This is a great film!

Fill in the blank

1. These
2. that
3. Those
4. this
5. these