Demonstratives in English — How It Works

Forms

The form changes for number, not for gender, because English demonstrative adjectives do not agree with masculine or feminine nouns. This and that modify singular nouns, while these and those modify plural nouns. The choice between the two pairs depends on whether the noun is singular or plural, and the demonstrative adjective comes immediately before the noun, as in Adjective Placement.

Idea	Example
This and that modify singular nouns.	This book is new.
These and those modify plural nouns.	These chairs are comfortable.
English demonstratives do not change for gender.	That student is ready.

Proximity

This and these usually refer to something near the speaker, while that and those usually refer to something farther away. The distance may be physical, but it can also be emotional, temporal, or related to what has already been mentioned. In speech, that can also function as a discourse marker, and some regional varieties use that for nearby reference in casual conversation.

Region	Word or Phrase	Regional Definition	Example
General	This	This points to something near the speaker or close in the speaker’s perspective.	This desk feels close.
General	That	That points to something farther away or less immediate in the speaker’s perspective.	That mountain looks distant.
General	These	These points to plural nouns that are near the speaker or close in the speaker’s perspective.	These flowers are fresh.
General	Those	Those points to plural nouns that are farther away or less immediate in the speaker’s perspective.	Those houses are on the hill.
Casual Speech	That	That often appears as a discourse marker and may not indicate physical distance.	That, I mean, changes the tone.
Regional Speech	That	Some speakers use that for a near referent in informal speech.	That table is right here.

Countability

Demonstrative adjectives must match the noun’s number, and this or that are used before singular count nouns. These and those are used before plural count nouns, so the demonstrative form helps show whether the noun names one item or more than one. With uncountable nouns, English normally uses this or that because the noun is treated as singular mass.

Idea	Example
This or that go before singular count nouns.	That apple is ripe.
These or those go before plural count nouns.	These books are heavy.
This or that go before uncountable nouns.	This water is cold.

Placement

A demonstrative adjective stands immediately before the noun it modifies, and it comes after any other adjective in the noun phrase. The demonstrative acts as the first word in the noun group, so it signals the noun’s reference before the noun itself is named. This position is part of normal adjective order in English and is closely related to Descriptive Adjectives and Adjective Placement.

Idea	Example
The demonstrative comes before the noun.	That idea is important.
The demonstrative comes before other adjectives.	These small boxes are mine.
The demonstrative begins the noun phrase.	This old house needs repairs.

Pronoun Difference

A demonstrative adjective always appears with a noun, while a demonstrative pronoun stands alone and replaces the noun. The same forms can do both jobs, so the difference depends on whether a noun follows immediately after the demonstrative. In a sentence such as these are ready, the demonstrative is a pronoun; in these chairs are ready, it is an adjective.

Idea	Example
A demonstrative adjective is followed by a noun.	These chairs are clean.
A demonstrative pronoun stands alone.	These are clean.
The noun determines the adjective use.	That answer is correct.

Time

Demonstrative adjectives can refer to time as well as physical distance. This commonly refers to the present period or a nearby time span, while that often refers to a more distant or less immediate time span. In temporal expressions, the demonstrative still behaves like an adjective and stays directly before the noun, as in Determiners.

Idea	Example
This can refer to a near time period.	This week is busy.
That can refer to a distant time period.	That year was difficult.
The demonstrative comes before the time noun.	These days feel shorter.

Contrast

That can add emphasis or contrast when it points to a specific noun in a stronger or more separated way. Writers and speakers often choose that form when they want to highlight one item among alternatives or mark a topic as already established. This and these are common for introducing new topics, while that and those often refer back to known information.

Idea	Example
That can add emphasis.	That problem is serious.
That can mark contrast.	I prefer that route.
This and these often introduce new information.	This topic matters today.
That and those often refer back to known information.	Those plans were discussed earlier.