Demonstrative Determiners: Understand Use of This, That, These, and Those

Ever wondered why you say “this book” instead of just “book” when pointing to it? You’re using demonstrative determiners! These seemingly small words – this, that, these, and those – play a crucial role in specifying which noun we’re talking about. In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries of demonstrative determiners, breaking down their usage, their differences from pronouns, and how to avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re a language learner or simply want to brush up on your English grammar, this blog will equip you with the tools to use these essential words with confidence.

What are Demonstrative Determiners?

Demonstrative determiners are words that specify or point out which noun a sentence is referring to. They “demonstrate” which noun is being discussed, indicating its proximity (near or far) and number (singular or plural).

Some of the most common types of demonstrative determiners in the English language are:

• This: Used for singular nouns that are near.
• That: Used for singular nouns that are far.  
• These: Used for plural nouns that are near.
• Those: Used for plural nouns that are far.

A key feature of determiners is that they always precede the noun they modify.

Also Read:

• Determiners in English Grammar
• Demonstrative Adjectives

Types of Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners are all about specifying which noun we are talking about. They do this by indicating two key aspects:  

1. Proximity: How close or far the noun is from the speaker (or listener).  
2. Number: Whether the noun is singular or plural.

This combination creates four distinct demonstrative determiners:

1. “This” 

Function: “This” is used to point to a single noun that is physically or conceptually close to the speaker. It indicates immediacy or presence. 

Examples:

• “This pen is mine.” (Physical proximity)
• “This moment is important.” (Conceptual proximity)
• “This year has been difficult.” (Time proximity)

2. “That”

Function: “That” is used to point to a single noun that is physically or conceptually distant from the speaker. It creates a sense of separation or remoteness.

Examples:

• “That mountain is beautiful.” (Physical distance)
• “That idea is interesting.” (Conceptual distance)
• “That day was memorable.” (Time distance)

3. “These”

Function: “These” is used to point to multiple nouns that are physically or conceptually close to the speaker. It indicates a group of items that are present or immediate.

Examples:

• “These books are heavy.” (Physical proximity)
• “These thoughts are troubling.” (Conceptual proximity)
• “These days are busy.” (Time proximity)

4. “Those”

Function: “Those” is used to point to multiple nouns that are physically or conceptually distant from the speaker. It creates a sense of a group of items that are remote or separate.

Examples:

• “Those stars are bright.” (Physical distance)
• “Those memories are fading.” (Conceptual distance)
• “Those years were hard.” (Time distance)

Also Read: What is the Difference Between Nouns and Pronouns?

Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives: Key Differences

Let us now look at the following table, which summarises the key differences between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives (determiners) and will help you better understand. 

Feature	Demonstrative Pronouns	Demonstrative Adjectives (Determiners)
Function	Stand alone, replacing a noun.	Modify a noun, providing information about it.
Placement	Can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.	Always precede the noun they modify.
Relationship to Nouns	Replace a noun or noun phrase.	Describe or specify a noun.
Examples	“This is my book.””I want that.” “These are delicious.” “Look at those.”	“This book is mine.” “I want that car.” “These cookies are delicious.” “Look at those stars.”
Grammatical Role	Act as nouns.	Act as determiners.
Independence	Independent. Stands alone.	Dependent on the noun it modifies.
Question Test	Answers the question “what?” or “which one?” by standing alone.	Answers the question “which?” by modifying a noun.

Also Read: Demonstrative Pronoun Examples & Definition

Common Mistakes with Demonstrative Determiners and How to Avoid Them

Below are some of the common mistakes with demonstrative determiners that you must tackle and that will help you become a pro in this topic. 

1. Confusing “This/These” with “That/Those” (Proximity Issues):

• Mistake: Using “this” or “these” when referring to something distant, or “that” or “those” when referring to something near.
• Why it happens: Failing to accurately assess the physical or conceptual distance between the speaker and the noun.
• How to avoid it:
  • Physical Distance: If you can touch it or it’s very close, use “this/these.” If it’s further away, use “that/those.”
  • Conceptual Distance: If you’re talking about something currently being discussed or immediately relevant, use “this/these.” If it’s something previously mentioned or less immediate, use “that/those.”
  • Time Distance: “This” can reference a current time period, “that” a past or future one.

2. Incorrect Number Agreement:

• Mistake: Using “this” or “that” with plural nouns, or “these” or “those” with singular nouns.
• Why it happens: Not paying attention to whether the noun is singular or plural.
• How to avoid it:
  • Always check the noun. If it’s singular, use “this” or “that.” If it’s plural, use “these” or “those.”
  • Practice saying the phrases aloud to hear if they sound correct.

3. Using Demonstrative Pronouns When Determiners Are Needed (and Vice Versa):

• Mistake: Saying “This book is” (pronoun) instead of “This book” (determiner), or “I like this” (determiner) when it should be “I like these” (pronoun).
• Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between the functions of pronouns and determiners.
• How to avoid it:
  • Remember that determiners always precede a noun. If a noun follows, use a determiner.
  • If there’s no noun immediately following, use a pronoun.
  • Test: if you can remove the word and the sentence still makes sense, it was likely a pronoun. If the sentence falls apart, it was likely a determiner.

4. Overusing Demonstrative Determiners:

• Mistake: Using “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those” excessively, making the speech sound unnatural.
• Why it happens: Over-reliance or lack of varied vocabulary.
• How to avoid it:
  • Use them only when necessary to clarify which noun is being referred to.
  • Use other determiners or adjectives to provide more specific information.
  • If the context is already clear, sometimes no determiner is needed.

5. Confusing “That” with “Which” in Relative Clauses:

• Mistake: Using “that” when “which” is more appropriate in non-restrictive relative clauses.
• Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.
• How to avoid it:
  • If the relative clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence (restrictive), “that” is often used.
  • If the relative clause provides extra information (non-restrictive) and is set off by commas, use “which.”

6. Misuse in Formal vs. Informal contexts.

• Mistake: Using informal language in formal situations.
• Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between formal and informal speech.
• How to avoid it:
  • In formal writing, ensure that you are using the correct determiner and that the sentence is grammatically correct.
  • In informal speech, the rules are more relaxed.

Must Read: Determiners Exercises

Practice Exercises on Demonstrative Determiners

After you have studied what demonstrative determiners are, it is now time to put that knowledge into practice with the help of the following exercises, which we have compiled for you. We have also provided answers to all the questions in the end. 

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative determiner (this, that, these, those).

1. ______ flowers in the vase are beautiful.
2. I would like to buy ______ car over there.
3. ______ book on the table is mine.
4. Can you pass me ______ pens on the shelf?
5. ______ idea you just mentioned is interesting.

Answers:

1. These
2. That
3. This
4. Those
5. That

Exercise 2: Sentence Correction

Instructions: Correct the demonstrative determiner in the following sentences, if necessary.

1. That apples are delicious.
2. These house is very old.
3. This chairs are uncomfortable.
4. Those dog near me is friendly.
5. This books are heavy.

Answers:

1. Those apples are delicious.
2. This house is very old.
3. These chairs are uncomfortable.
4. That dog near me is friendly.
5. These books are heavy.

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Determiner

Instructions: Choose the correct demonstrative determiner from the options provided.

1. (This/These) cookies are freshly baked.
2. (That/Those) mountain in the distance looks majestic.
3. (This/Those) information is crucial for the project.
4. (That/These) birds are singing beautifully.
5. (These/That) moment will be remembered.

Answers:

1. These
2. That
3. This
4. Those
5. This

Exercise 4: Create Your Sentences

Instructions: Write one sentence using each of the following demonstrative determiners:

1. This
2. That
3. These
4. Those

Possible Answers:

1. This phone is ringing.
2. That building is very tall.
3. These shoes are comfortable.
4. Those clouds look like rain.

Exercise 5: Identifying Determiners vs Pronouns

Instructions: Identify whether the underlined word is a demonstrative determiner or a demonstrative pronoun.

1. This is my favorite song.
2. This song is my favorite.
3. Those are the students from my class.
4. Those students are from my class.
5. I like that.
6. I like that painting.

Answers:

1. Demonstrative Pronoun
2. Demonstrative Determiner
3. Demonstrative Pronoun
4. Demonstrative Determiner
5. Demonstrative Pronoun
6. Demonstrative Determiner

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