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)

nearfar

singularthisthat

pluralthesethose

Here are some examples with demonstrative pronouns, followed by an illustration:

Thistastes good.

Have you seenthis?

Theseare bad times.

Do you likethese?

Thatis beautiful.

Look atthat!

Thosewere the days!

Can you seethose?

Thisis heavier thanthat.

Theseare bigger thanthose.

Do not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They are identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a demonstrative adjective qualifies a noun.

Thatsmells. (demonstrative pronoun)

That bookis 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:

Thisis Josef speaking. IsthatMary?

Thatsounds like John.