This, That, These, Those Worksheets

About Our This, That, These, Those Worksheets

Our collection of This, That, These, Those Worksheets is designed to help students master the essential grammar skill of using demonstrative pronouns and adjectives. These worksheets aim to strengthen students’ ability to distinguish between singular and plural forms as well as near and far references. As students progress in their understanding of these words, they become better equipped to communicate clearly and accurately in both spoken and written language.

These worksheets are available in an easy-to-download PDF format, making them accessible to educators, students, and homeschoolers alike. Each worksheet comes with answer keys, allowing for self-assessment or efficient grading by teachers. Whether used for classroom lessons or independent practice, this collection provides the tools necessary to build a solid foundation in demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, ensuring students can confidently apply these concepts in various contexts.

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives: This, That, These, Those

Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives—this, that, these, and those—are integral to the English language, serving as tools for pointing out specific people, objects, or ideas. Understanding how to use them correctly is crucial for clear communication, as these words help clarify what or whom a speaker or writer is referring to based on number and distance. Below is a deeper exploration of these key grammar elements.

Definition of Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives:

• Demonstrative Pronouns are words used to point to specific things or people without needing to name them explicitly. For example:

This is my favorite book. (Refers to a singular object that is near.)

Those are beautiful flowers. (Refers to plural objects that are far.)

• Demonstrative Adjectives modify nouns to specify which particular items or people are being talked about. For instance:

This book is interesting. (Singular, near)

Those books belong to the library. (Plural, far)

How They Work:

This and These are used for items that are close to the speaker. This refers to a singular item, while these refers to plural items.

Example: This is my pen. (singular, near) / These are my pens. (plural, near)

That and Those are used for items that are further away. That refers to a singular item, and those refers to plural items.

Example: That is his car. (singular, far) / Those are his cars. (plural, far)

Key Points to Remember:

• This and that are used for singular nouns.
• These and those are used for plural nouns.
• The distinction between this/these and that/those depends on proximity—whether the object or person is near or far from the speaker.

Understanding these rules helps students avoid common errors, such as mixing singular and plural forms or misapplying near and far references.

Teaching Strategies for This, That, These, Those

Teaching the difference between this, that, these, and those can be engaging and effective when approached creatively. Educators can make use of a variety of teaching strategies to ensure students not only grasp the rules but also feel confident using these words in everyday speech and writing.

• Start with Simple Examples: Begin by introducing each word in isolation with clear, simple examples. Show objects in the classroom or images on a screen to illustrate how proximity and number influence the choice of demonstrative pronouns and adjectives. For instance, hold up a book and say, "This is a book." Then point to something across the room and say, "That is a chair."
• Use Real-Life Contexts: Incorporating real-world scenarios helps students better understand the use of these words. For example, encourage students to use this, that, these, and those when discussing objects around the classroom or at home. This approach links grammar to everyday language and makes learning more relevant.
• Interactive Activities: Create engaging, hands-on activities where students are asked to identify objects or people using the correct demonstrative pronoun or adjective. For example, you could set up stations around the room with various objects and ask students to describe them based on their proximity and quantity.
• Sentence Formation Practice: Encourage students to practice forming their own sentences using this, that, these, and those. For instance, have them write about items they see in a picture or describe things in their immediate environment. Sentence creation allows students to apply their knowledge practically.
• Visual Aids and Props: Use visual aids such as flashcards, images, or physical objects to reinforce learning. Holding up items for students to label using the appropriate demonstrative word helps solidify the connection between word choice and context.

Through these strategies, educators can ensure that students not only understand the rules governing the use of this, that, these, and those, but also feel confident using these words accurately in both written and spoken communication.

How Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives Enhance Literacy Skills

Mastering demonstrative pronouns and adjectives plays a significant role in improving overall literacy skills. When students understand how to correctly use this, that, these, and those, they improve their ability to communicate clearly and effectively. These small yet important words contribute to several areas of literacy development, including reading comprehension, writing clarity, and oral expression.

• Improved Reading Comprehension: As students encounter this, that, these, and those in texts, their ability to understand references and relationships between objects or people is strengthened. Knowing how these words are used helps students follow the flow of stories, descriptions, and explanations more easily. For example, understanding that this refers to something close in a narrative helps students visualize the scene more accurately.
• Writing Precision: In writing, demonstrative pronouns and adjectives help students clarify what they are referring to, making their sentences more precise and understandable. For example, instead of writing "I want the book," a student can specify, "I want this book," providing a clearer message. Learning how to choose the correct form—this vs. these or that vs. those—helps students avoid vague language and improve the specificity of their writing.
• Enhanced Oral Communication: In spoken language, these words are essential for guiding listeners' attention to specific objects or ideas. Proper use of this, that, these, and those enhances clarity in speech, ensuring that the speaker effectively conveys proximity and number when referring to items. Mastering these demonstrative words leads to more coherent and effective oral communication.

By understanding and applying these demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, students build a critical language skill that supports their overall literacy development, enabling them to become more effective readers, writers, and speakers.

Engaging Activities to Reinforce Learning

To deepen students’ understanding and retention of this, that, these, and those, educators can implement a variety of fun and interactive activities that promote practical application. These activities allow students to practice using demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in ways that go beyond the classroom, making learning both engaging and relevant.

• Classroom Object Identification: Create an activity where students walk around the classroom identifying objects using the correct demonstrative pronoun or adjective. For example, students could point to objects nearby and say, "This is a marker," or point to objects farther away and say, "That is a computer." This hands-on activity reinforces proximity and number distinctions in a real-world setting.
• Picture Descriptions: Show students pictures or illustrations and ask them to describe what they see using this, that, these, and those. For example, they might say, "These are apples," when referring to a group of apples close to the viewer, or "That is a mountain," for an image of a distant mountain. This helps students apply the concept visually and contextually.
• Role-Playing Scenarios: Set up role-playing scenarios where students must use demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in dialogue. For instance, they could pretend to be at a store, asking for specific items: "I would like those shoes" or "Can I see this necklace?" Role-playing adds an interactive element to learning, helping students practice their language skills in conversation.
• Classroom Games: Organize games where students are asked to quickly identify objects around the room using this, that, these, or those within a time limit. Turning the learning process into a game helps to engage students and encourages them to think on their feet while applying grammar rules.

These activities are well-suited for elementary school students, particularly in grades 1 to 4, where foundational grammar skills are being developed. By providing a variety of ways to practice, educators ensure that students reinforce their knowledge in dynamic and meaningful ways.

The Importance of Mastering This, That, These, and Those

Understanding and mastering the use of this, that, these, and those is a fundamental aspect of grammar that supports students’ ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Whether used to point out objects in close proximity or at a distance, these demonstrative pronouns and adjectives provide specificity and precision in both spoken and written language.

The This, That, These, Those Worksheets collection offers educators and students a comprehensive resource for practicing these important grammar rules. Through consistent practice, students will become more confident in their ability to apply these words correctly, leading to greater clarity in their communication.

By integrating these worksheets into classroom lessons or independent study, students will build a solid foundation in this essential area of grammar, supporting their broader literacy and communication skills. Whether in academic settings or everyday conversations, mastering this, that, these, and those is an important step in the journey toward language proficiency.