Demonstrative Determiners
Board Exam Notes
What Are Demonstrative Determiners?
When we say “Pass me that book” or “I want these chocolates,” we are pointing to a specific thing. That pointing role in grammar belongs to demonstrative determiners — four small words with a very important job.
A demonstrative determiner is a word placed before a noun to point out exactly which person, place, animal, or thing is being referred to. It tells us whether the noun is near or far and singular or plural.
There are exactly four demonstrative determiners in English:
Key rule: A demonstrative determiner always comes directly before a noun and answers the question — “Which one?” or “Which ones?”
The Four Words — Rules and Usage
- This pen is mine.
- This shirt is too small.
- This news is surprising.
- I like this painting.
- That mountain looks tall.
- That dog bit my friend.
- Did you see that film?
- That idea is not practical.
- These mangoes are sweet.
- Can you carry these bags?
- These students work hard.
- I bought these shoes yesterday.
- Those buildings are old.
- Do you recall those days?
- Those people were kind.
- Those clouds mean rain.
Uncountable nouns (water, rice, advice, furniture, information, news, luggage) are always treated as singular. Use this or that — never these or those.
This water is cold. | That advice was useful. | This furniture is expensive.
| Distance | Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Near | This → This book | These → These books |
| Far | That → That book | Those → Those books |
Examples in Context
| Sentence | Determiner | Noun | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| This book is mine. | This | book (singular) | One book, near speaker |
| That river flows to the sea. | That | river (singular) | One river, far away |
| These apples taste sour. | These | apples (plural) | Many apples, near speaker |
| Those stars look bright tonight. | Those | stars (plural) | Many stars, far away |
| Did you eat this rice? | This | rice (uncountable) | Uncountable = singular |
| Those days were very happy. | Those | days (plural) | Past/distant time, plural |
Time distance also counts. Demonstrative determiners do not only point to things near or far in place — they also show closeness or distance in time. The same four words work for both.
Distance in Time — Explained
| Time Context | Use | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present / Current happening now or very recently |
This / These | This year has been very productive. | These days, mobile phones are everywhere. |
| Past / Distant finished, long ago, or already discussed |
That / Those | That evening changed my life forever. | Those years were the happiest of my childhood. |
| Near future / upcoming about to happen, just ahead |
This / These | This weekend, we are going to Shimla. | These holidays are going to be very busy. |
| Already mentioned a topic just referred to earlier |
That / Those | That idea you shared yesterday was brilliant. | Those suggestions were all very helpful. |
Common Time Phrases — Ready Reference
- This year, our school won first prize.
- This morning I forgot my lunch box.
- This week has been very tiring.
- This month, prices have gone up.
- This moment is very special to me.
- That year, the rains were very heavy.
- That morning, everything went wrong.
- That night, we stayed up until dawn.
- That summer felt like it would never end.
- That moment, I realised my mistake.
- These days, students use laptops a lot.
- These weeks before exams are stressful.
- These months have passed very quickly.
- These times call for patience and calm.
- These years in school are truly precious.
- Those days, there were no smartphones.
- Those years taught me a great deal.
- Those months of hard work paid off.
- Those times were simpler and happier.
- Those memories will stay with me always.
Exam-Important Fixed Phrases
These days = nowadays, at present → always plural, always present time
Those days = in the old days, in the past → always plural, always past time
This time = right now / on this occasion → singular, present
That time = on that occasion / back then → singular, past
Simple rule to remember: If the event or time is happening now or is upcoming, use this / these. If the event or time is finished or in the past, use that / those.
This exam is tomorrow. (upcoming — near in time)
That exam last month was very hard. (finished — distant in time)
Memory Tricks
tHAt / tHOse = fAr
THESE + THOSE = Many things
Near + Many = THESE
Far + Many = THOSE
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These book is very interesting.
This book is very interesting.
This shoes are very expensive.
These shoes are very expensive.
These water is very cold.
This water is very cold.
These mango is sweet.
These mangoes are sweet. / This mango is sweet.
Demonstrative Determiner vs. Demonstrative Pronoun
The same four words — this, that, these, those — can also be pronouns. The difference is simple:
The Simple Test: Is there a noun immediately after the word?
YES → It is a Demonstrative Determiner.
NO → It is a Demonstrative Pronoun.
| Demonstrative Determiner | Demonstrative Pronoun | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Modifies a noun (noun follows it) | Replaces a noun (stands alone) |
| Noun present? | Yes — always | No |
| Example 1 | This book is old. | This is old. |
| Example 2 | Those children are playing. | Those are my children. |
Board Exam Tips
Find the noun first. Identify whether it is singular or plural. That single step solves 80% of questions.
Use the verb as a clue. Is/was = singular subject. Are/were = plural subject. Match the determiner accordingly.
Uncountable nouns. Water, news, advice, furniture, luggage, information — always singular. Always use this / that.
Context clues. Words like here, nearby suggest nearness (this/these). Words like there, far, long ago suggest distance (that/those).
Time context. These days = present. Those days = past. These phrases are tested frequently.
Pronoun vs Determiner. If asked to identify type, check for a noun after the word. Noun present = determiner. No noun = pronoun.
Solved Questions
Practice Questions
Fill in the blanks with this / that / these / those. Attempt all sections before checking the Answer Key.
Answer Key
Section A — Fill in the Blanks
Section B — Corrections
9. These → This luggage (uncountable = singular)
10. That → Those boys (plural noun)
11. This → These mangoes (plural noun)
Section C — Determiner or Pronoun?
12. “These are my books.” → Pronoun (no noun follows “these”)
13. “These books are mine.” → Determiner (noun “books” follows “these”)
14. “That idea sounds great!” → Determiner (noun “idea” follows “that”)
Summary — Key Takeaways
- This — near, singular
- That — far, singular
- These — near, plural
- Those — far, plural
No noun = Pronoun
“This book” (D) vs. “This is mine” (P)
That / Those = past, distant times
“These days” vs. “Those days”
2. Singular or plural?
3. Near or far?
4. Apply: This / That / These / Those
Demonstrative determiners are four small words with a very powerful job. Master this, that, these, those — know when to use each one — and this topic will never trouble you in any exam. Revise these notes, practise the questions, and you are completely prepared.