English has four demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, those
Demonstrative pronouns are often called “pointing” pronouns. It feels like we’re pointing when we use them.
I want this.
I want that.
I want these.
I want those.
In each instance, the speaker is verbally pointing to the object he or she wants. The demonstrative pronoun takes the place of the noun naming that object.
This and that are used in place of singular nouns.
These and those are used in place of plural nouns.
Here are some more examples:
I’ll take this with me.
Put that into the car.
These are very heavy.
I found those in the basement.
Each demonstrative pronoun replaces the noun that is being talked about. We would have to be with the person speaking to see what object is being taken with, or put into the car; we would have to be there to see what’s heavy, or what was found. Just understand that the pronoun is taking the place of a noun.
Sometimes, this, that, these, and those act as adjectives instead of pronouns. Look at the examples below:
I want this cupcake.
You can have that cupcake.
Did you see these movies yet?
I read those books last year.
Can you spot the difference in the way the demonstrative pronouns are being used here? In these sentences, this, that, these, and those come right before a noun. When a demonstrative pronoun comes right before a noun, the pronoun is modifying the noun. That means the pronoun is acting as an adjective.
Remember: English has four demonstrative pronouns. This and that are used in place of singular nouns. These and those are used in place of plural nouns. If the demonstrative pronoun is used in front a noun, the pronoun is modifying the noun and acting as an adjective.