Demonstrative Pronoun

Definition of Demonstrative Pronoun

Demonstrative pronoun are pronouns that are used to indicate a specific person or object. They help to know whether something or someone is near or far away from us. For example, These boots are too small for me.

Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns

List of Demonstrative Pronouns

Types of Demonstrative Pronouns

1. Singular Demonstrative Pronoun

1. This: It is a type of demonstrative pronoun which is used to indicate or point to any one object or person which is near to us. For example, This wooden table is beautiful.
2. That: It is a type of demonstrative pronoun which is used to indicate or point to only one person or object which is far from us in distance. For example, That boy is the president of our club.

2. Plural Demonstrative Pronoun

1. These: ‘These’ is a type of demonstrative pronoun which is used to point out or indicate multiple people or objects which are near to us. For example, These cookies are made by my grandmother.
2. Those: ‘Those’ is a type of demonstrative pronoun which is used to point out or indicate multiple people or objects which are far from us. For example, Those boxes are too heavy to carry.  

Demonstrative Adjective Vs Demonstrative Pronoun

NOTE: Words like this, that, those, and these are used for both demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives.

Demonstrative Pronouns Vs Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronoun are used to replace a noun or a noun phrase, representing specific things or people.

Examples:

1. This is my car. (Here, "this" replaces the noun "car.")
2. Those are interesting. (Here, "those" replaces a noun or noun phrase that is understood in context.)

Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners are used to modify a noun by indicating which specific thing or person is being referred to.

Examples:

1. I like this book. (Here, "this" modifies the noun "book.")
2. Look at those mountains. (Here, "those" modifies the noun "mountains.")

Rules to Use Demonstrative Pronouns

Like all pronouns, demonstrative pronouns also follow some rules. These are:

1. They can be both the subject and object of the sentence. Therefore, they must follow the rule of subject-verb agreement.
2. We use singular verbs with ‘this’ and ‘that’. For example: ‘These are an expensive computer.’ is an incorrect sentence. The correct sentence is ‘This is an expensive computer.’
3. We use plural verbs with ‘these’ and ‘those’. For example: ‘These looks delicious.’ is an incorrect sentence. The correct sentence is ‘These look delicious.’

To Read About Distributive Pronoun: Click here

Common Mistakes With Demonstrative Pronouns

1. Some students use ‘this’ to indicate an object or a person which is far from them.
2. Students may use the wrong subject-verb agreement. For example, ‘That phone is my’ is an incorrect sentence. The correct sentence is ‘That is my phone’.
3. Some students may forget to remove the noun after adding a demonstrative pronoun and make it a demonstrative adjective. For example, ‘This chair is so comfortable’ is a demonstrative adjective. Whereas, ‘This is so comfortable.’ is a demonstrative pronoun.

Demonstrative Pronouns Used in Sentences

→ Can you pass me this pen?
→ Look at that beautiful building.
→ This is my favourite restaurant.
→ My mother gave me those flowers.
→ That was a terrible mistake.
→ I highly recommend these books.
→ All of this information is important.

FAQs

1. What are demonstrative pronouns? Give examples.

Answer: Pronouns that are used to identify things or people are known as demonstrative pronouns. They tell us whether something is near or far away from us. For example, These documents are mine.

2. What is the list of demonstrative pronoun?

Answer: List of demonstrative pronouns:this, that, those and these.

3. Can a demonstrative pronoun be an adjective?

Answer: When we place a demonstrative pronoun before a noun, it becomes a demonstrative adjective. For example, Can I have these cookies?