Demonstrative Pronouns
demonstrate (verb): to show; to indicate; to point to
A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:
- near in distance or time (this, these)
- far in distance or time (that, those)
| near • | far ⇒ | |
|---|---|---|
| singular 📗 | this | that |
| plural 📗📗📗 | these | those |
Here are some examples with demonstrative pronouns, followed by an illustration:
- This tastes good.
- Have you seen this?
- These are bad times.
- Do you like these?
- That is beautiful.
- Look at that!
- Those were the days!
- Can you see those?
- This is heavier than that.
- These are bigger than those.
Do not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They are identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a demonstrative adjective qualifies a noun.
- That smells. (demonstrative pronoun)
- That book is good. (demonstrative adjective + noun)
Normally we use demonstrative pronouns for things only. But we can use them for people when the person is identified. Look at these examples:
- This is Josef speaking. Is that Mary?
- That sounds like John.