Parts of Speech:
ESL Guide to Demonstrative Pronouns
What is a demonstrative?
The four demonstratives are this, that, these, and those. Demonstratives show where something is with respect to the speaker. An simple way to think about where something is in relation to the speaker is near or not near. The demonstratives this and that are singular. The demonstratives these and those are plural.
SINGULAR + NEAR
This is near.
- This jacket is mine.
- Is this apple his?
- This is not yours.
- What is this right here?
SINGULAR + NOT NEAR
That is not near.
- That jacket is yours.
- Is that apple hers?
- That is not mine.
- What is that over there?
PLURAL + NEAR
These are near.
- These jackets are mine.
- Are these apples his?
- These are not yours.
- What are these right here?
PLURAL + NOT NEAR
Those are not near.
- Those jackets are yours.
- Are those apples hers?
- Those are not mine.
- What are those over there?
What is the difference between a demonstrative adjective or pronoun?
The demonstratives this, that, these and those can be used a adjectives or pronouns. Either way the demonstrative is used to show a noun is near or not near.
If the demonstrative is used with a noun, then it is describing the noun. It is an adjective.
If the demonstrative substitutes for a noun then it is a pronoun. Pronouns are used to avoid repeating nouns in sentences.
The easiest way to understand demonstratives is to compare them as adjectives and pronouns.
SINGULAR + NEAR
this
- The jacket I am wearing looks old.
- This jacket looks old. (adjective)
- This looks old. (pronoun)
SINGULAR + NOT NEAR
that
- The dress in the store window is beautiful.
- That dress is beautiful. (adjective)
- That is beautiful. (pronoun)
PLURAL + NEAR
these
- The socks I am wearing are clean.
- These socks are clean. (adjective)
- These are clean. (pronoun)
PLURAL + NOT NEAR
those
- The flowers at the park smell good.
- Those flowers smell good. (adjective)
- Those smell good. (pronoun)
What are some good examples of demonstratives?
Demonstratives are very common in spoken English as both adjectives and pronouns. They can be both subjects or objects.
English speakers use them with non-verbal gestures often. It is common to point at objects, or use hand gestures with demonstratives to identify the person, place, thing or idea the demonstrative is referencing.
Example
- This watch is expensive.
- She likes this purse.
- This Saturday is the party.
- I enjoyed this.
Explanation
- The watch on your wrist.
- The purse she is holding.
- The current Saturday of the week.
- The current time or experience.
Example
- That hat is at Tim’s house.
- She likes that hotel.
- That day is not good for me.
- It was that other time.
Explanation
- The hat is at a different location.
- A hotel in a different city.
- A day in the future, not today.
- A time in past, but no the present.
We often use demonstratives in questions when the noun we are referencing is not actually known. We use them in questions to identify a particular noun or nouns apart from a larger group of nouns.
Question
- Who is this?
- Whose towel is that?
- Which of these do you like?
- Which way did Hannah go?
- What are these?
- When is the game?
- What day was your last birthday on?
Answer
- This is John.
- That is John’s towel.
- I like those green ones.
- She went that way.
- These are German mints.
- The game is this Saturday.
- That was on a Sunday.
