Demonstrative Adverbs
Demonstrative adverbs emphasize the location of something in relation to the speaker. In this lesson, we will learn all about them.
What Are Demonstrative Adverbs?
When we want to emphasize the place of something or someone close to us or far from us, we mainly use demonstrative adverbs. Always remember that these adverbs follow a noun.
Types of Demonstrative Adverbs
We have two types of demonstrative adverbs in English. One is used to emphasize the time and the other is used to emphasize the place of someone or something. Take a look at the list below:
- Demonstrative Adverbs of Time
- Demonstrative Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of Time
When we want to specify the time of action, we can use the demonstrative adverbs of time which are 'now' and 'then'.
Now
'Now' is used with present time to point at the time of speaking.
Carol would want to talk to you
Here, the action is happening in the present moment.
Then
We can use 'then' to point at a particular time in the past or future.
I wish I knew
It was
Adverbs of Place
We mainly use these demonstrative adverbs with 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' to specify the place of something or someone. These adverbs do not come before a noun. They are simply used to emphasize the place of something. Now let us examine how each one is used:
Here
When we want to emphasize the place of things or people that are near to us, we can use demonstrative adverbs such as 'here'. They are used with 'this' when the referred noun is singular and 'these' when we have plural nouns. Let us take a look at the following examples:
This gown
As you can see, if you remove the adverb, the sentence is still complete and meaningful.
Maria told me these CDs
There
Contrary to 'here', when we want to emphasize the place of something or someone far away from us, we mainly use 'there'. Pay attention to the following examples:
Look at that café
Caroline is going to that bank
Archaic Adverbs
In old English, we have some adverbs that can be put in this category. Please note that these adverbs are archaic and they are
Place | Time | |
---|---|---|
Near | Hither | Hence |
Far | Thither | Thence |
'Hither' and 'thither' were used instead of 'here' and 'there' in ancient times. 'Hither' refers to something or someone close to us whereas, 'thither' refers to someone or something far away from us. Compare the following examples:
Come
Here, it means 'come here'.
Look at
Here, the sentence means look over there.
'Hence' and 'thence' were mainly used to discuss the time. 'Hence' means 'from now' and 'thence' is its past form.
The government has improved their methods.
She decided to visit her aunt