ESL Grammar: Pronouns Demonstratives - This, That, These, Those

What It Is

Demonstratives are words that show which thing or group of things we are talking about. They are this, that, these, and those. We use them to point to something in front of us (this, these) or something behind us (that, those). ESL learners often confuse them because their first language may use different words or have different rules.

Key Rules

• Use this to point to something near you: "I like this book."
• Use that to point to something far away: "I see that bird."
• Use these to point to multiple things near you: "I like these shoes."
• Use those to point to multiple things far away: "I see those cars."
• Use a comma after this, that, these, or those when they come before a noun: "I like, this book."
• Use a comma after a noun when it comes after this, that, these, or those: "This book, is my favorite."
• Use a singular verb with this or that: "This book is interesting."
• Use a plural verb with these or those: "These books are interesting."
• Don't use a determiner (e.g., the, a) with this or that: "This book, not the book."
• Use a determiner with these or those: "These books, not those books."
• Use this or that with a singular noun: "This apple is delicious."
• Use these or those with a plural noun: "These apples are delicious."
• Don't use this or that with a pronoun: "I like him, not that person."
• Use this or that with a singular noun after a preposition: "I'm looking for this book."
• Use these or those with a plural noun after a preposition: "I'm looking for these books."
• Use a possessive form with this or that: "This is my book."
• Use a possessive form with these or those: "These are my books."

Common ESL Errors

• Error: "I like this books."
• Why it happens: Overgeneralization of the rule for using this with a singular noun.
• Correction: "I like these books." (Use these with a plural noun.)
• Error: "I see that car."
• Why it happens: Interference from the learner's first language, which may use that with a singular noun.
• Correction: "I see that car" is correct, but in this case, this car would be more natural. (Use this with a singular noun after a preposition.)
• Error: "I like these book."
• Why it happens: Overgeneralization of the rule for using these with a plural noun.
• Correction: "I like this book." (Use this with a singular noun.)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blank: "I like this _." Answer: book Reason: Use this with a singular noun.
2. Fill in the blank: "I see those _." Answer: cars Reason: Use those with a plural noun.
3. Fill in the blank: "I'm looking for this _." Answer: book Reason: Use this with a singular noun after a preposition.

Last-Minute Revision

Use a comma after this, that, these, or those when they come before a noun.
Use a singular verb with this or that.
Use a plural verb with these or those.
Don't use a determiner (e.g., the, a) with this or that.
Use a determiner with these or those.
Use this or that with a singular noun. Use these or those with a plural noun.
Don't use this or that with a pronoun.
Use this or that with a singular noun after a preposition.
Use these or those with a plural noun after a preposition.
Use a possessive form with this or that. Use a possessive form with these or those.