LoginDemonstrative Pronouns
Explore the rules and nuances of demonstrative pronouns like 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'. Detailed explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz.
Demonstrative Pronouns: Types
Demonstrative pronouns are categorized based on two factors:
Number: Which can be either singular or plural
Distance: Which can be either near or far
Demonstrative Pronouns: Uses
In English, demonstrative pronouns are used to point to or indicate a specific person, place, thing, or idea. They assist the speaker in conveying information about the location or identity of the subject, and can provide context about the relationship between the speaker and the subject.
1. To Show Distance
The primary function of demonstrative pronouns is to indicate the position of an object or person in relation to the speaker. By using 'this' or 'that', the speaker can show whether the object or person is within reach or not.
This is an apple; it is sweet.
In this example, by using 'this' you show that the apple is in your hand or within reach.
That, over there, is my house.
In this example, you are speaking about the house from a distance.
2. To Distinguish between Two Things by Difference in Distance
Demonstrative pronouns enable the speaker to distinguish between two things based on distance. The nearer object is referred to as "this" or "these", while the farther object is referred to using "that" or "those". Proximity, rather than actual reachability, determines which pronoun to use. Thus, "this" and "that" show the relative distance from the speaker, not absolute distance. Look at the following examples:
My sister and I share a room; this is my bed and that is hers.
In this example, 'my bed' is nearer than 'my sister's bed'. None of them may be in reach, but one of them is nearer than the other.
These are my friends and those are my colleagues.
In this example, again 'my friends' are nearer than 'my colleagues.'
3. To Show Distance in Time
Demonstrative pronouns can indicate temporal distance in addition to spatial distance. The present time is viewed as near, while the past and future are seen as distant. There are three ways demonstrative pronouns are used to refer to time:
1. Using near pronouns to talk about present time (now) or something that is happening now:
Is this a bad time or can you talk now?
In this example, 'this' refers to the present time.
2. Using far pronouns to talk about a situation or condition in the past or future:
In 1999, I moved to Paris. That was the best year of my life.
In this example, 'that,' refers to a past time.
That will be hard to take care of.
Here, in this example, 'that' refers to something in the future.
3. Using plural near or far pronouns to talk about the general condition of life in the present, past or future:
These are strange times.
In this example, 'these' refers to general present conditions.
Those were hard times.
Here, 'those' refers to general past conditions.
4. To Talk about People
Demonstrative pronouns can also be used to introduce yourself on the phone or introduce someone to others. In such cases, no spatial or temporal distance is indicated by the demonstrative pronoun. Look at the examples"
Hello, this is Steve.
Here, the person is introducing himself by using the term 'this.'
Everyone, this is my friend Ivan.
Warning!
When a demonstrative pronoun is used to refer to something in a sentence and the speaker wants to refer to the same thing again later in the sentence, the pronoun 'it' is used to refer to it the second time instead of the demonstrative pronoun. The same rule applies to 'these' and 'those,' which should be replaced by 'they.' Look at the example below:
Look at that! It's beautiful!
As you can see, we used 'it' for a singular item, after being mentioned for the first time.
Check these out! They are made of great material and they are cheap too!
As you can see, we used 'they' for a plural item, after being mentioned for the first time.
Demonstrative Pronouns: Functions in Sentence
Demonstrative pronouns can act as the subject or object of the sentence. Being used as the subject or object does not change the form or meaning of these pronouns. Let's see some examples:
This is what I have to read.
Here, demonstrative pronoun 'this' is the 'subject' of the sentence.
I can't read this; the handwriting is awful.
Here, demonstrative pronoun 'this' is the object of the sentence. You can easily recognize the object by the position of the demonstrative pronoun. Whenever it is after a main verb it is an object.
We are not going to sell those to the customers; they are hideous!
Here 'those' is the object of the sentence. Remember, there is no noun after the demonstrative pronoun.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Determiners
Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners look just the same. This means "this, that, these, and those" can act as determiners as well. However, as a pronoun, they can function as the subject or the object of a sentence by themselves, yet, as a determiner, they must be followed by a noun. You can see in the following examples that none of the determiners are alone and they are all followed by a noun:
That book is so good that I've read it more than ten times.
In this example, 'that book' is the subject of the sentence.
Those restaurants are all very expensive.
In the example above, 'those restaurants' is the subject of the sentence.
I'll have to get another job if I want to pay all these bills, or I will have to move out of this apartment.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adverbs
While demonstrative pronouns replace nouns and act as subjects or objects in sentences, demonstrative adverbs modify adjectives or other adverbs and indicate the degree or extent of the quality being described. Out of the four demonstrative pronouns, only "this" and "that" are also used as demonstrative adverbs.
John's brother was not that handsome. I saw him at the party last night.
This new collection of winter garments are not that well-designed.
The cat was this big.
I have never thought that the building might be this tall.
Review
Demonstrating means showing, indicating, and pointing to something; that is exactly what demonstrative pronouns do.
Distance | Number | |
|---|---|---|
This | near | singular |
These | near | plural |
That | far | singular |
Those | far | plural |
Demonstrative pronouns are used to:
Show reachability
Distinguish something by difference in distance
Show distance in time
Talk about people
Function | |
|---|---|
Demonstrative Pronouns | instead of a noun in the place of subject or object |
Demonstrative Determiners | before a noun |
Demonstrative Adverbs | only this and that before adjectives or adverbs |
Quiz:
Which demonstrative pronoun is used when referring to a single object or person that is close to the speaker?
these
that
those
this
Match each sentence to the usage description of the demonstrative pronoun.
Fill the blanks with the correct pronouns.
In 2020, the world faced unprecedented challenges.
was a year no one could forget.
Look at these!
are such beautiful paintings.
Here,
are the documents we need to review before the meeting.
is the best cake I’ve ever tasted!
We had so much fun back in college.
were the best years of my life.
Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative pronoun as the object of the verb?
We need to buy those apples.
These are my favorite books.
I can’t believe that!
John's brother was not that handsome.
Fill the table by identifying the type of demonstrative word.
This is the best movie I’ve seen! | |
These shoes are uncomfortable. | |
Those were the days we cherished. | |
Can you pass me that pen? | |
The meeting wasn’t that long. |
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