Demonstrative Pronouns

What is a Demonstrative
Examples
Pronoun?
In the following examples, demonstrative pronouns
A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that is used to have been italicized for ease of identification.
point to something specific within a sentence. These
pronouns can indicate items in space or time, and This was my mother’s ring.
they can be either singular or plural.
When used to represent a thing or things, That looks like the car I used to drive.
demonstrative pronouns can be either near or far in
distance or time: These are nice shoes, but they look uncomfortable.

 Near in time or distance: this, these Those look like riper than the apples on my tree.
 Far in time or distance: that, those
Because there are only a few demonstrative pronouns Such was her command over the English language.
in the English language, there are just three simple
rules for using them correctly. Remember them and None of these answers are correct.
you will have no difficulty using these surprisingly
Neither of the horses can be ridden.
interesting parts of speech.

 Demonstrative pronouns always identify nouns,

whether those nouns are named specifically or not.
For example: “I can’t believe this.” We have no idea Demonstrative Pronouns
what “this” is, but it’s definitely something the writer Exercises
cannot believe. It exists, even though we don’t know
what it is. The following exercises will help you gain greater
 Demonstrative pronouns are usually used to describe understanding about how demonstrative pronouns
animals, places, or things, however they can be used work. Choose the best answer to complete each
to describe people when the person is identified, sentence.
i.e., This sounds like Mary singing.
 Do not confuse demonstrative adjectives with 1. ____________ was such an interesting
demonstrative pronouns. The words are identical, but experience.
demonstrative adjectives qualify nouns, whereas A. That
demonstrative pronouns stand alone. B. These
Demonstrative pronouns can be used in place of a
C. Those
noun, so long as the noun being replaced can be
D. Such
understood from the pronoun’s context. Although this
concept might seem a bit confusing at first, the 2. Are ___________ your shoes?
following examples of demonstrative pronouns will A. That
add clarity.
B. Them
C. Those
D. This
3. You’ll have to get your own pen. C. This
______________ is mine. D. Such
A. That 10. ____________ are nice-looking.
B. Those A. This
C. Such B. That
D. This C. These
4. There is no end to ___________. D. Such
A. Such Answers
B. Those
C. This 5. A – That was such an interesting experience.

D. None 6. C – Are those your shoes?

7. D – You’ll have to get your own pen. This is
5. Because of their bad behavior, ____________ of
the children were given allowances. mine.

A. None 8. C – There is no end to this.

9. A – Because of their bad behavior, none of
B. That
the children were given allowances.
C. Those
10. A – Neither of them had seen it before.
D. Them
11. A – Is that yours?
6. ____________ of them had seen it before.
12. C – Everyone ate early. When we
A. Those
arrived, none was left.
B. Neither
13. B – Please give me one of those.
C. Such
14. C – These are nice-looking.
D. This
7. Is ____________ yours?
A. This What Is an Interrogative
B. Those Pronoun?
C. These
An interrogative pronoun is a pronoun which is used
D. Such to make asking questions easy. There are just five
8. Everyone ate early. When we arrived, interrogative pronouns. Each one is used to ask a
____________ was left. very specific question or indirect question. Some,
A. That such as “who” and “whom,” refer only to people.
Others can be used to refer to objects or people.
B. Such
Once you are familiar with interrogative pronouns,
C. None
you’ll find that it’s very easy to use them in a variety of
D. Neither situations.
9. Please give me one of ____________. Interrogative pronouns can also be used as relative

A. That pronouns, which may be found in questions or indirect

questions. You’ll know for certain that a pronoun is
B. Those
 classified as an interrogative when it’s used in an  Whatever
inquiring way, because interrogative pronouns are  Whatsoever
found only in question and indirect questions.  Whichever
 Whoever
The five interrogative pronouns are what, which, who,  Whosoever
whom, and whose.  Whomever
 Whomsoever
 What – Used to ask questions about people or  Whosever
objects. Examples: Interrogative pronouns are very easy to remember
o What do you want for dinner? and use. Memorize them to make things even simpler.
o I wonder what we’re doing tomorrow.
o What is your friend’s name?
Examples of Interrogative
o What time are we supposed to be there?
 Which – Used to ask questions about people or Pronouns
objects. Examples:
Sentences containing interrogative pronouns are
o Which color do you prefer?
always questions, so they always end with a question
o Which of these ladies is your mother?
mark. In the following examples, interrogative
o She asked which train to take.
pronouns have been italicized for ease of
o Which seat would you like?
identification.
 Who – Used to ask questions about people.
Examples: 1. What do you want for your birthday?
o Who is that?
2. Which shirt do you think looks better on me?
o Who was driving the car?
3. Who do you think will win the playoff game?
o I’m wondering who will be at the party.
o Who is going to take out the trash? 4. To whom are you speaking?
 Whom – This interrogative pronoun is rarely seen 5. Whose socks are those?
these days, but when it shows up, it is used to ask
questions about people. Examples: Interrogative Pronouns
o Whom did you speak to?
o Whom do you prefer to vote for? Exercises
o You should ask whom to call. Fill in the blanks with an interrogative pronoun.
o Whom do you live with?
 Whose – Used to ask questions about people or 1. __________ threw the football?
objects, always related to possession. Examples:
A. who
o Whose sweater is this?
B. what
o Whose parents are those?
o I wonder whose dog knocked our garbage can over. C. which
o Whose phone is that? D. whose
In some cases, interrogative pronouns take on the 2. ____________ would you prefer, coffee or tea?
suffix –ever. A few can also take on the old-fashioned
A. who
suffix –soever, which is rarely seen in writing these
days. For example: B. whom
C. which
 D. whose 3. B – What time do we need to be at the airport?
3. ______________ time do we need to be at the 4. B – Whose car is that?
airport? 5. C – What is your sister’s name?
A. which 6. A – Whom did you tell?
B. what 7. D – Which of these books have you read?
C. whose 8. C – Who wants ice cream?
D. whom
4. _____________ car is that?
A. whom
B. whose
C. what
D. who
5. ____________ is your sister’s name?
A. who
B. whom
C. what
D. whose
6. _____________ did you tell?
A. whom
B. what
C. whose
D. which
7. _____________ of these books have you read?
A. what
B. whom
C. whose
D. which
8. ______________ wants ice cream?
A. what
B. whom
C. who
D. whose
Answer Key:

1. A – Who threw the football?

2. C – Which would you prefer, coffee or tea?