Fun Easy English Classroom March 26
 
 
 
 

Classroom
Today


Learn about
English
demonstrative
pronouns
Demonstrative Pronouns

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn about demonstrative pronouns an important part of English grammar.
Hey if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English dictionary (opens in a new window)
Quick Links
Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec March
Dates 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  
Grammar: Demonstrative Pronouns

Definition of a demonstrative pronoun.
  • A demonstrative pronoun:
  • is a word that replaces a noun which can be understood from the context of the conversation or writing
  • identifies a noun or pronoun that is:
  • singular and close to the speaker (this)
  • singular and distant from the speaker (that)
  • plural and close to the speaker (these)
  • plural and distant from the speaker (those)
Demonstrative Pronoun Examples
  • Please take this to the manager. (singular and close to speaker)
  • Please take that to the manager. (singular and at a distance from the speaker)
  • Please take these to the manager. (plural and close to speaker)
  • Please take those to the manager. (plural and at a distance from the speaker)
From YOUR Teacher: Demonstrative Pronouns

This type of pronoun only has four words and is pretty easy to understand once you study the examples above.
Test: Grammar Demonstrative Pronouns

Study the examples of demonstrative pronouns listed above. For each test question, you will be given a sentence. In each sentence, fill in the blank with the correct demonstrative pronoun.
1.  Give ____ pen to the customer. (pen is close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
2.  Take ____ toys to the bedroom. (toys are close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
3.  Fill out  ____ application. (application is at a distance from the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
4.  Clean up ____ table. (table is close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
5.  Watch ____ birds in the tree. (birds are at a distance from the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
6.  Eat ____ bowl of fruit. (bowl of fruit is close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
7.  Eat ____ cherries. (cherries are close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
8.  Wash ____ car. (car is at a distance from the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
9.  Wash ____ tires. (tires are at a distance from the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
10.  Read ____ books. (books are close to the speaker)

     a.  this
     b.  that
     c.  these
     d.  those
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional conversation, listening, and reading practice.
  • Conversation Lesson - Beginner Level. Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language with a written conversation and a conversation notes section.
Conversation Lesson 3 - Formal Introductions
(Beginner - Conversation, Reading)

Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language.
Formal Introductions

Margaret: Mr. Wilson, I’d like you to meet Dr. Edward Smith.

Mr. Wilson: How do you do, Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith: How do you do.

Margaret: Dr. Smith is an economist. He’s just finished writing a book on international trade.

Mr. Wilson: Oh? That’s my field, too. I work for the United Nations.

Dr. Smith: In the Development Program, by any chance?

Mr. Wilson: Yes. How did you guess?

Dr. Smith: I’ve read your articles on technical assistance. They’re excellent.
Conversation Notes
  • Mr. Wilson
  • There is a rising intonation on the words Mr. Wilson. A falling intonation on a name used in direct address is unusual in American English and tends to sound brusque and impolite.
  • It is important to include the d in I’d in this expression in order to differentiate it from I like, which has a different meaning. (I’d like = I would like = I want.)
  • How do you do
  • Has the form of a question (and is sometimes followed by a question mark), but it is not a question in meaning. It is simply a polite formula used in formal introductions.
  • How do you do
  • The reply to How do you do is simply the same phrase uttered with the same intonation by the other speaker. In fact, lines 2 and 3 are not strictly statement and reply but rather statements uttered by the two speakers independently and, possibly, simultaneously.
  • He’s just finished writing
  • A useful pattern indicating an action recently completed. (Just is frequently used with the present perfect tense.)
  • Development Program
  • Since these two words constitute a compound noun, the principal stress falls on the first word.
  • by any chance
  • The meaning is possibly. Used in questions to confirm something you think might be true actually is.
  • I’ve read
  • It is important to include the /v/ in I’ve in this expression in order to differentiate it from I read, which has a different meaning.
Source: U.S. State Department
Additional Conversation
Conversation

This is a collection of 36 situational conversations which focus on spoken American English in a relatively natural way....these lessons are for intermediate students.
Conversation

This is a collection of 30 situational conversations. Each conversation is accompanied by language notes....these lessons are for advanced students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 52 lessons covering pronunciation, speaking, writing, and grammar topics....these lessons are for beginning students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 30 lessons focusing mostly on communication and grammar topics....these lessons are for intermediate students.
Additional Information
Study Tips
(Beginner - Listening)

Avoid Ineffective Study Methods. An audio lesson to help you study English more effectively. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English study tips.
Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.