Demonstrative Adverbs

demonstrative adverbs demonstratives here now then there

Demonstrative adverbs emphasize the location of something in relation to the speaker. In this lesson, we will learn all about them.

Demonstrative Adverbs in English Grammar

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

Now, let us take a look at this table to get to know them:

	Near	Far
Place	Here	There
Time	Now	Then

Take a look at some examples:

These books here are yours, Sicily.

That mansion there is my friend's.

Uses of Demonstrative Adverbs

Using "here" as a demonstrative adverb

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 now.

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 then what I know now.

It was then that I figured out his intentions.

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 here suits you a lot.

As you can see, if you remove the adverb, the sentence is still complete and meaningful.

Maria told me these CDs here are yours.

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 there! It's so gothic.

Caroline is going to that bank there.

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 not used that much among native English speakers nowadays. Let us take a look at the table below to become familiar with them:

	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 hither, young lad!

Here, it means 'come here'.

Look at thither! The ice cream shop is open.

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. Hence, the financial condition is getting better.

She decided to visit her aunt thence head home.

Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree are mostly used before adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to intensify the term after them.

Adverbs of Probability

Adverbs of probability indicate how certain we are about an action. In this lesson, we will learn about how and when to use them.

Adverbs of Movement and Direction

Adverb of movement or directions shows an action toward a place or points to a particular direction. In this lesson, we will learn about them.

Relative Adverbs

Relative adverbs are words that give us more description for nouns, the people, places, or things being discussed. Let's get to know them better.

Interrogative Adverbs

Interrogative adverbs are words such as 'why' and 'where' that are used to ask questions. In this lesson, we will learn more about them.

Conjunctive Adverbs

As their name requires, conjunctive adverbs are used to connect two clauses. They can be moved around in the sentence. So, read the article to learn the rules.

download langeek app for free

Langeek