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Demonstratives
Demonstratives are words like this, that, these, and those that help us show which person or thing we are talking about.
A1Nouns, Articles & Determiners
What are Demonstratives
Demonstratives are words that help us show which person or thing we are talking about, like this or that.
- We use this to talk about something near us.
- We use that to talk about something far from us.
- We use these and those for plural forms of this and that.
When to Use Demonstratives
- We use demonstratives to point out specific things, like this book or that car.
- We use them to be clear about what we are talking about, so the listener knows what we mean.
- We also use them to compare things, like this one is better than that one.
Example Sentences
- This is my favorite book.
- That dog is very big.
- These shoes are comfortable.
- Those people are my friends.
- I like this one more than that one.
- Can you pass me that pen over there?
Common Mistakes
- Wrong: I like this. Correct: I like this book.
- Wrong: That are my friends. Correct: Those are my friends.
- Wrong: I have this. Correct: I have this one.
Memory Trick
- One way to remember when to use this or that is to think about how close something is to you, if it is near, use this, if it is far, use that.
Quick check
Which of the following sentences uses 'this' correctly?
Where this matters in your exam
Demonstratives are crucial in IELTS Writing Task 2 to refer to specific points, and in IELTS Speaking Part 2 to describe personal experiences.
- IELTS Writing Task 2
To clearly refer to specific points in your essay.
- IELTS Speaking Part 2
To talk about a personal experience using specific objects or places.