Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that replace specific nouns in a sentence to show exactly which person or thing is being referred to. The four demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, and those.
- This is used to refer to a singular noun that is nearby in time or space.
- That is used to refer to a singular noun that is further away in time or space.
- These is used to refer to a plural noun that is nearby in time or space.
- Those is used to refer to a plural noun that is further away in time or space.
Demonstrative pronouns are used to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. For example, instead of saying “I like the dress. The dress is beautiful,” you can say “I like the dress. It is beautiful.”
There are four demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these, and those. Let’s take a look at each one in detail.
This
This is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to a singular noun that is close to the speaker in terms of time or space. It can also be used to introduce people. For example:
- This is my dog.
- This is a great book.
- This is my friend, Sarah.
That
That is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to a singular noun that is further away from the speaker in terms of time or space. For example:
- That is my house.
- That is the book I was telling you about.
- That is my friend, John.
These
These is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to a plural noun that is close to the speaker in terms of time or space. For example:
- These are my shoes.
- These are the books I borrowed from the library.
- These are my friends, Sarah and John.
Those
Those is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to a plural noun that is further away from the speaker in terms of time or space. For example:
- Those are my shoes.
- Those are the books I borrowed from the library.
- Those are my friends, Sarah and John.
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Determiners
It’s important to note that demonstrative pronouns can also be used as determiners (also known as demonstrative adjectives). When used as determiners, they are placed before a noun to modify it, rather than replacing the noun. For example:
- This book is mine. (determiner)
- This is my book. (pronoun)
- That car is fast. (determiner)
- That is my car. (pronoun)
- These shoes are new. (determiner)
- These are my shoes. (pronoun)
- Those houses are old. (determiner)
- Those are my houses. (pronoun)
In the examples above, you can see that when the demonstrative pronoun is used as a determiner, it is followed by a noun. When it is used as a pronoun, it replaces the noun.
Conclusion
Demonstrative pronouns are an important part of English grammar, and they are used to make sentences clearer and more concise. By replacing specific nouns with demonstrative pronouns, you can avoid repetition and make your writing more engaging.
FAQs
What are demonstrative pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that replace specific nouns in a sentence to show exactly which person or thing is being referred to. The four demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, and those.
How are demonstrative pronouns used?
Demonstrative pronouns are used to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. They replace specific nouns in a sentence to show exactly which person or thing is being referred to.
What is the difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners?
Demonstrative pronouns replace specific nouns in a sentence, while demonstrative determiners are placed before a noun to modify it. For example, in the sentence “This is my book,” “this” is a demonstrative pronoun, while in the sentence “This book is mine,” “this” is a demonstrative determiner.