L09NADLSS6_007-016 2/29/08 3:52 PM Page 11

NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF SPEECH OVERVIEW pages 34=37

Demonstrative and Relative Pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns
A demonstrative pronoun points out a specific person, place, thing, or idea. Demonstrative
pronouns are this, that, these, and those.
EXAMPLES Whose sweater is this? [This points out sweater.]
That is the new teacher. [That points out teacher.]
Those are the rules. [Those points out rules.]
Are these your gloves? [These points out gloves.]
TIP To recognize a demonstrative pronoun, use this trick. If you could point at something
while saying the pronoun, then the pronoun is probably demonstrative.
DEMONSTRATIVE That is my favorite picture on the wall. [You might be pointing to a picture
while saying the word that. That is a demonstrative pronoun.]

EXERCISE A Underline the demonstrative pronoun in each of the following sentences.

Examples 1. Are these the sandwiches for our picnic? [The pronoun these points out sandwiches.]

2. That is the signal we will use in the game. [The pronoun That points out signal.]

1. That is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. [Which pronoun points out a thing?]
2. This is my new friend, Alex. [Which pronoun points out a person?]
3. What is that?
4. Are these the ingredients for your famous taco casserole?
5. Those are skid marks from someone’s tires.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

6. These are important qualities in a friend: loyalty and honesty.

7. Is that the sweater you are wearing with the new skirt?
8. This is the capital city of Wyoming.
9. These were found in the gym after the volleyball game.
10. Are those the buses for our field trip?

Developmental Language Skills 11

L09NADLSS6_007-016 2/29/08 3:52 PM Page 12

NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF SPEECH OVERVIEW pages 34=37 continued

Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun introduces an adjective clause. An adjective clause describes or adds
information about the noun or pronoun that comes before it. Common relative pronouns
include that, which, who, whom, and whose.
EXAMPLES Summer is the season that I like most. [The relative pronoun that
introduces the adjective clause that I like most. The adjective clause adds
information about the noun season.]
Shawna Frost, who is our art teacher, is Matt’s aunt. [The relative pronoun
who introduces the adjective clause who is our art teacher. The adjective
clause adds information about the woman Shawna Frost.]

EXERCISE B Identify each underlined pronoun in the following sentences. Write DEM on the line if the
pronoun is demonstrative or REL if the pronoun is relative. Remember that the word that can be a
demonstrative pronoun or a relative pronoun. Be careful to identify the word that correctly.

Examples REL 1. The neighbors whom the Bensons met had moved here from Iowa. [The

relative pronoun whom introduces the adjective clause whom the Bensons met.]
DEM 2. Are those the deer’s footprints? [The demonstrative pronoun those points to

footprints.]

11. The garden gate, which was not locked, banged in the wind. [Does the pronoun point to
something, or does it introduce an adjective clause?]

12. This is a book about gold mines in the nineteenth century. [Does the pronoun point to
something, or does it introduce an adjective clause?]

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

13. Nancy Tilden, who won the tennis match, is Gabriella’s best friend.
14. The man whose sofa Rob bought was moving to a smaller apartment.
15. That is a poem by Lindsey Martin.
16. The poem that Lindsey wrote is quite beautiful.
17. Those are the winners of the photography contest.
18. The friends whom Latonya invited to the party accepted the invitation.
19. Are these the tips for today’s grammar lesson?
20. Is that Chen’s scrapbook from the sixth grade?

12 HOLT HANDBOOK Introductory Course