5. Demonstrative Pronouns

We use demonstrative pronouns to replace a noun or a noun phrase to show whether  something or more things are near or far in space or time.

There are four demonstrative pronouns used as follow:

  1. this  replaces a singular noun (person or thing) that is around or nearby to the speaker.
  2. that  replaces a singular noun that is distant from the speaker.
  3. these  replaces a plural noun that is around or nearby to the speaker.
  4. those  replaces a plural noun that is distant from the speaker.

Examples:

  • This  is what I have been looking for the whole day. (Used to show singular noun)

  • We must tell the waitress this  was not what we ordered. (Used to show close to the speaker)
  • Is that  your cat with no tail? (Used to show singular noun)
  • This one is bigger than that. (Used to show distant from the speaker)
  • We are not bringing these  along with us. (Used to replace plural noun)
  • These are some of the letters I have to reply this week. (Used to show close to the speaker)
  • We chose a chocolate cake from those  on sale at the bakery. (Used to replace plural noun)
  • I think that tree is the tallest among those  in the park. (Used to show distant from the speaker)

Lesser known demonstrative pronouns: none, such, neither.    

None  is used to show not one of a group of people or things.

Such  is used to refer to someone or something specified or implied.

Neither  is used to mean not the one and not the other of two people or things.

None can be used as singular and plural demonstrative pronouns.   

Examples:

  • Singular : The seller said that none of that type is available.
    ( None is singular because type is singular.)
  • Plural : She was talking about the world coming to an end, but none of us were listening.
    ( None is plural because us is plural.)

Such can be used as singular and plural demonstrative pronouns.  Â

Examples:

  • If such is the way she explains things, the children will find it difficult to understand.
    ( Such is singular because way is singular.)
  • Such are the things we need to bring along for the trip to study the rocky landscape.
    ( Such is plural because things is plural.)

Neither is always a singular pronoun and requires a singular verb.   Â

Examples:

  • Neither of the parents believes a word of what he said.

Demonstrative pronoun replaces noun phrase.

In the following examples, the bold words in the first sentences are noun phrases, while  the bold words in the second sentences are demonstrative pronouns replacing the noun phrases.

Examples:

  • The new pair of shoes   is tight, and it hurts a bit. This  is tight and it hurts a bit.
  • The Asian food   is a bit spicy. That  is a bit spicy.
  • The ingredients   will be added to the chicken soup. These will be added to the chicken soup.
  • What are the two bright objects hovering in the sky ? What are those ?    

A demonstrative pronoun can be a subject or object in a sentence.

Examples:

  • This  is the oldest building in town. (Subject)

  • I hate this . Please take it away. ( Object)

  • That   has to be the best dinner we have had for a long time. ( Subject) Â

  • He kept talking about himself and nobody liked that . (Object)  

Demonstrative pronoun and demonstrative adjective.

A word is not a demonstrative pronoun if it comes before a noun. Such a word is in fact a demonstrative adjective  which precedes a noun and acts as a modifier of the noun. It should not be confused with a demonstrative pronoun which does not modify a noun. Unlike the demonstrative adjective, a demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun and stands on its own in a sentence.

Examples:

  • Demonstrative pronoun : This is the same story I heard from him before.
    Demonstrative adjective :  This story is the same one I heard from him before.
  • Demonstrative pronoun : That  is not a bird; it is a kite.
    Demonstrative adjective :  That  kite looks like a bird.