Title here
Summary here
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific people, animals, objects, or ideas. They help to identify or distinguish the noun being referred to, often in relation to its distance (physical or metaphorical) from the speaker.
Example
Instead of saying: “I prefer the book on the nearby shelf over the book on the far shelf.”
We can use demonstrative pronouns to say: “I prefer this book over that one.”
In this example, “this” and “that” are demonstrative pronouns that indicate the relative distances of the books from the speaker.
Forms of Demonstrative Pronouns
There are four main demonstrative pronouns in English, which change based on number (singular or plural) and distance (near or far).
| Distance | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Near | This | These |
| Far | That | Those |
Examples:
- This is my favorite book. (singular, near)
- Those are beautiful flowers. (plural, far)
Usage and Common Mistakes
Correct Use of Demonstrative Pronouns
-
To refer to something near in space or time:
- This is the book I was telling you about. (object is near)
- These are the shoes I bought yesterday. (time is recent)
-
To refer to something far in space or time:
- That is the house I grew up in. (object is far)
- Those were the days! (time is in the past)
-
To refer to ideas or concepts just mentioned:
- The economy is improving. This is good news for everyone.
-
As a subject or object in a sentence:
- This looks delicious. (subject)
- I don’t understand that. (object)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Confusing demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives:
- Pronoun: This is my car. (correct)
- Adjective: This car is mine. (also correct, but “this” is functioning as an adjective here)
-
Using singular forms with plural nouns or vice versa: Incorrect: This shoes are comfortable. Correct: These shoes are comfortable.
-
Overusing demonstrative pronouns, leading to ambiguity: Unclear: He talked about history and science. This was very interesting. Clear: He talked about history and science. This topic was very interesting.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives
While demonstrative pronouns stand alone, demonstrative adjectives modify nouns. The words are the same, but their function in the sentence differs:
- Pronoun: That is interesting. (stands alone)
- Adjective: That book is interesting. (modifies “book”)
Key Takeaways
- Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those) point out specific people, animals, objects, or ideas.
- They change form based on number (singular or plural) and distance (near or far).
- Use “this” and “these” for things that are near in space or time.
- Use “that” and “those” for things that are far in space or time.
- Demonstrative pronouns can function as subjects or objects in a sentence.
- Be careful not to confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives.
- Avoid ambiguity by ensuring it’s clear what the demonstrative pronoun is referring to.
FAQs
Can demonstrative pronouns be used to refer to people?
Yes, demonstrative pronouns can refer to people, although it’s less common and can sometimes be considered impolite in direct address. For example:
- “Who’s that?” (asking about a person in the distance)
- “These are the people I was telling you about.” In most cases, it’s more polite to use personal pronouns when referring to people directly.
How do I choose between ’this’ and ’that’ when referring to time?
Generally:
- Use “this” for present or near future time: “This week has been busy.”
- Use “that” for past time: “That was a great party last night.” However, the choice can also depend on the speaker’s psychological perception of the time’s nearness or distance.
Are there any situations where ’this’ and ’that’ are interchangeable?
Yes, in some contexts, especially when referring to abstract ideas or in certain idiomatic expressions, ’this’ and ’that’ can be interchangeable:
- “This/That’s what I’m talking about!”
- “This/That’s a good question.” The choice might subtly affect the emphasis or the perceived immediacy of the subject, but both would be grammatically correct.
How do demonstrative pronouns work in reported speech?
In reported speech, demonstrative pronouns often change to reflect the new perspective:
- Direct: She said, “I love this book.”
- Reported: She said (that) she loved that book. The change from “this” to “that” reflects the shift in time and perspective in reported speech.
Do other languages use demonstrative pronouns differently?
Yes, the use of demonstrative pronouns can vary significantly across languages:
- Some languages have more than two distance distinctions (e.g., Japanese has words for “this” close to the speaker, “that” close to the listener, and “that” far from both).
- Some languages may use different pronouns based on visibility or other factors.
- The frequency and contexts of use can also differ. When learning a new language, it’s important to study its specific system of demonstrative pronouns.
Prev
Reflexive Pronouns