This and That as Subject and Object Pronouns

Learning how to use this and that as pronouns unlocks a more natural way to speak English without repeating nouns over and over. You will see when these words act as the subject of a sentence and when they receive the action, with examples you can copy into your own conversations. This guide is for ESL learners who already know basic grammar and want to sharpen pronoun use.

What is the difference between this and that as determiners and as pronouns?

In earlier lessons, this and that worked as determiners, which means they always sat next to a noun, like in this movie or that idea. As pronouns, they stand alone and replace the noun entirely [00:30].

What is a pronoun? A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase. Instead of saying the document, you can say this if both speakers know what you mean.

Think of pronouns as shortcuts. Once the listener knows what you are talking about, you do not need to repeat the full noun. That is where this and that shine, especially when you point to things, mention ideas, or refer to people nearby.

When should I use this and that as subject pronouns?

A subject pronoun performs the action in a sentence. When this or that sits at the beginning and triggers the verb, you are using it as a subject pronoun [01:05].

Look at these examples pulled from the lesson:

• This is amazing.
• That's clear to me.
• That is fantastic.

In each case, this or that is the one doing something, even if the verb is simply to be. You are not naming the object directly; you are letting the pronoun carry the weight. And here is the interesting part: native speakers use this structure constantly to react to news, ideas, or anything they just saw.

How do I use this and that as object pronouns?

An object pronoun receives the action of the verb. In other words, the verb happens to the pronoun, not because of it [01:35].

Some natural examples include:

• Have a look at this.
• Are you okay with that?
• Do you want this?

Notice how this and that appear after the verb or a preposition like at or with. That position is the clue: if the pronoun comes after the action, it is functioning as an object.

How do I know if this or that is a subject or an object? Check the position. If it comes before the verb and performs the action, it is a subject. If it comes after the verb or a preposition and receives the action, it is an object.

Why does this matter for things, ideas, and people?

One detail worth highlighting: you can use this and that to replace things, ideas, and people [00:55]. That flexibility is what makes them so common in everyday English.

Say you are reacting to a friend's plan. You do not need to repeat the plan every time. A quick that sounds great does the job. Or imagine you are handing someone a book and asking, do you want this? You skip the noun completely because context already filled it in.

Try writing a few of your own sentences. Pick a thing near you, an idea you heard today, and a situation involving a person. Use this or that as both a subject and an object pronoun, and you will lock in the pattern fast.

Which sentence felt easier to build, the subject one or the object one? Share your examples in the comments.