When you point to something and say, “I want that one,” or “This is the best choice,” you’re using demonstrative pronouns. These words play a key role in everyday language by helping us reference specific objects, people, or ideas based on their distance from us in space or time. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your grammar skills, understanding demonstrative pronouns and practicing with exercises is an essential step to mastering them.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises. Through clear explanations, structured examples, and practice exercises, you will learn to use this, that, these, and those confidently. Let’s begin!
What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are words used to point to specific things, people, or places. They help clarify which particular noun we’re referring to in a sentence. These pronouns can indicate proximity (near or far) in both physical and temporal contexts.
Here’s a breakdown of the four demonstrative pronouns:
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This – Refers to something singular and near to the speaker.
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That – Refers to something singular and farther away from the speaker.
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These – Refers to something plural and near to the speaker.
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Those – Refers to something plural and farther away from the speaker.
Examples:
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This is my favorite book. (singular, near)
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That is the car I want. (singular, far)
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These are my shoes. (plural, near)
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Those are her shoes. (plural, far)
Understanding the Basic Rules of Demonstrative Pronouns
To master demonstrative pronouns, it’s important to familiarize yourself with their basic rules. These rules will help you decide when to use each one correctly in context.
1. Distance Rule
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Use this or these for things that are near.
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Use that or those for things that are far away.
2. Number Rule
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Use this or that for singular items.
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Use these or those for plural items.
3. Time Reference
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This is often used to refer to something in the present or future.
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That is typically used for something in the past.
These rules form the foundation of correct demonstrative pronoun usage, but context and experience will help you fine-tune your understanding.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives
It’s important to distinguish between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives as they serve different functions in a sentence. Understanding this difference can help clarify your usage.
Differences:
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Demonstrative Pronouns: These stand alone in a sentence and replace a noun.
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Demonstrative Adjectives: These come before a noun and modify it.
Example:
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Pronoun: “This is the one I want.” (The pronoun “this” stands alone and replaces a noun.)
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Adjective: “This book is mine.” (The adjective “this” modifies the noun “book.”)
Why This Difference Matters
Understanding when a demonstrative pronoun is acting as a replacement for a noun or when it’s merely describing one will make you more precise in your writing and speaking. It’s a subtle distinction but crucial for clear communication.
99 Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises
Now that we’ve covered the rules, it’s time for Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises. Below are practical examples, with each sentence using the appropriate demonstrative pronoun based on context, number, and distance.
| Demonstrative Pronoun | Type | Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| This | Singular | Near | This is my favorite book. |
| That | Singular | Far | That was an amazing performance. |
| These | Plural | Near | These are the shoes I bought. |
| Those | Plural | Far | Those were the best days of my life. |
| This | Singular | Present | This feels right to me. |
| That | Singular | Past | That was an unforgettable trip. |
| These | Plural | Present | These need to be fixed right away. |
| Those | Plural | Past | Those were excellent times. |
| This | Singular | Immediate | I need this by the end of the day. |
| That | Singular | Reference | Is that what you meant earlier? |
| These | Plural | Available | These are the options I have for you. |
| Those | Plural | Far | I can’t reach those on the top shelf. |
| This | Singular | Choice | I’ll take this one, please. |
| That | Singular | Distance | That looks interesting. |
| These | Plural | Current | These are my keys. |
| Those | Plural | Memory | Those were the good old days. |
| This | Singular | Current | This looks like a good idea. |
| That | Singular | Previous | That wasn’t the plan. |
| These | Plural | Present | These need to be cleaned soon. |
| Those | Plural | Past | Those were difficult years. |
| This | Singular | Ongoing | This is an ongoing situation. |
| That | Singular | Far | That was a huge mistake. |
| These | Plural | Immediate | I’m looking at these now. |
| Those | Plural | Distant | Those look better from a distance. |
| This | Singular | Familiar | This is the first time I’ve seen it. |
| That | Singular | Unfamiliar | I don’t know that person. |
| These | Plural | Ongoing | These are all still in progress. |
| Those | Plural | Past | Those cars are vintage models. |
| This | Singular | Immediate | This doesn’t seem like a problem. |
| That | Singular | Distant | That may not be possible. |
| These | Plural | Current | These are the latest models. |
| Those | Plural | Historical | Those buildings are from the 18th century. |
| This | Singular | Future | This will be important later. |
| That | Singular | Past | That wasn’t something I expected. |
| These | Plural | Present | I bought these books yesterday. |
| Those | Plural | Reference | Do you remember those notes I gave you? |
| This | Singular | Emotional | This feels so right. |
| That | Singular | Emotional | That doesn’t make any sense. |
| These | Plural | Choices | These are my final decisions. |
| Those | Plural | Abstract | Those ideas were revolutionary. |
| This | Singular | Invitation | This is my gift to you. |
| That | Singular | Gift | I gave her that necklace. |
| These | Plural | Surprise | Look at these presents! |
| Those | Plural | Regret | Those were bad decisions. |
| This | Singular | Preference | I prefer this flavor. |
| That | Singular | Comparison | I like that one better. |
| These | Plural | Opportunity | These are exciting possibilities. |
| Those | Plural | Options | Those are not options for me. |
| This | Singular | Plan | This was the plan all along. |
| That | Singular | Choice | I’ll take that instead. |
| These | Plural | Decision | These are the correct answers. |
| Those | Plural | Regret | Those were the wrong choices. |
| This | Singular | Conclusion | This is my final decision. |
| That | Singular | Realization | I just realized that was important. |
| These | Plural | Current | I’m looking at these results. |
| Those | Plural | Upcoming | Those events are yet to happen. |
| This | Singular | Current | This has to be done now. |
| That | Singular | Future | That will be necessary later. |
| These | Plural | Near | These are my friends. |
| Those | Plural | Far | Do you remember those teachers? |
| This | Singular | Emotionally Close | This is really important to me. |
| That | Singular | Emotionally Distant | That was never something I cared about. |
| These | Plural | Task | These are the tasks I need to finish. |
| Those | Plural | Thoughts | Those thoughts were troubling. |
| This | Singular | Suggestion | This could work. |
| That | Singular | Consideration | That might not be the best idea. |
| These | Plural | Opportunity | These opportunities are rare. |
| Those | Plural | Time | Those were the good old days. |
| This | Singular | Current | This moment is perfect. |
| That | Singular | Time | That time was unforgettable. |
| These | Plural | Time | These moments will last forever. |
| Those | Plural | Abstraction | Those ideas need more work. |
| This | Singular | Current | This looks promising. |
| That | Singular | Distant | I can’t understand that right now. |
| These | Plural | Current | These questions need your attention. |
| Those | Plural | Remote | Those were events long ago. |
| This | Singular | Realization | This makes sense now. |
| That | Singular | Past | That was an important realization. |
| These | Plural | Change | These need to be updated. |
| Those | Plural | Distant Time | Those moments feel so far away now. |
| This | Singular | Comparison | This is better than that. |
| That | Singular | Choice | I would prefer that over this. |
| These | Plural | Improvement | These methods have been proven effective. |
| Those | Plural | Alternatives | Those alternatives are not acceptable. |
| This | Singular | Result | This is the outcome I wanted. |
| That | Singular | Decision | That was the turning point. |
| These | Plural | Opportunity | These possibilities are incredible. |
| Those | Plural | Abstraction | Those ideas need more research. |
| This | Singular | Event | This is the event of the year. |
| That | Singular | Recollection | I remember that time so clearly. |
These exercises highlight how demonstrative pronouns function in a variety of contexts, helping to reinforce the rules you’ve learned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While demonstrative pronouns are fairly simple to use, many learners make mistakes that can cause confusion or ambiguity. Below are some common errors to watch out for, along with tips to avoid them:
1. Overusing Demonstrative Pronouns
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Overuse of demonstrative pronouns can lead to vague or repetitive writing. Instead of constantly referring to something as this or that, try to provide more specific descriptions or use the noun explicitly.
Example Mistake: “I’ll do this tomorrow. This will be a good plan.” Corrected: “I’ll do the task tomorrow. The plan sounds good.”
2. Misplacing Demonstrative Pronouns
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Ensure that your demonstrative pronouns clearly refer to the intended noun. Avoid using them ambiguously, as they can confuse the reader or listener.
Example Mistake: “I saw the cat. This is beautiful.” Corrected: “I saw the cat. It is beautiful.” (Or specify which cat: “This cat is beautiful.”)
3. Mixing Singular and Plural Pronouns
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Pay attention to whether you’re talking about singular or plural objects. Using a singular pronoun like this with a plural subject (or vice versa) is a common error.
Example Mistake: “These is my favorite shoes.” Corrected: “These are my favorite shoes.”
4. Confusing Pronouns in Complex Sentences
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In longer or more complex sentences, ensure your demonstrative pronouns refer to the correct noun, especially when there are multiple subjects.
Example Mistake: “The car is fast, but this is not the one I want.” Corrected: “The car is fast, but that is not the one I want.”
Final Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises: Advanced Exercises
Here are some advanced exercises for you to try, where you’ll need to fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun. These sentences require you to consider both the physical distance and the context carefully.
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I can’t believe _______ is already the end of the semester! (singular, near)
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Do you remember _______ trip we took to the beach last summer? (plural, far)
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I need to finish _______ project by tomorrow. (singular, near)
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_______ were the days when I could sleep without interruptions! (plural, far)
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_______ option seems better than the one we discussed yesterday. (singular, near)
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He was talking about _______ strategy at the meeting. (plural, far)
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_______ is the best decision I’ve ever made. (singular, near)
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_______ are the answers to your questions. (plural, near)
Answers:
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this
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that
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this
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those
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this
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those
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this
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these
Conculation on Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises
Mastering Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises is a great way to strengthen your grammar and communication skills. By practicing the use of this, that, these, and those, you can improve both your written and spoken language. These exercises allow you to understand when and how to use each pronoun in various situations, whether you’re engaging in casual conversation or writing formal content. The more you practice, the more naturally you’ll incorporate these pronouns into your speech and writing. So, keep exploring and practicing Demonstrative Pronouns Exercises to sharpen your skills. With consistent effort, you’ll soon find yourself using these essential tools of language with ease and clarity. Happy practicing!
