Demonstrative Pronouns

The words that point to specific things in space and time

Demonstrative pronouns are words that point to and identify specific nouns in relation to the speaker's position in space or time. The four main demonstrative pronouns in English are this, that, these, and those.

Core Characteristics

Key Features:
  • Pointing function: Indicate specific items or ideas
  • Distance markers: Show physical or psychological proximity
  • Number distinction: Singular (this/that) vs. plural (these/those)
  • Noun replacement: Can stand alone without nouns
  • Context dependent: Meaning changes based on situation

The Four Demonstrative Pronouns

1. "This" - Singular, Near

Physical proximity:
  • "This is my favorite coffee mug." (holding it)
  • "This smells delicious!" (food nearby)
Temporal proximity:
  • "This has been a wonderful week." (current week)
  • "Listen to this!" (about to play something)
Abstract reference:
  • "This is what I've been trying to explain." (current idea)
  • "I'll never forget this." (current experience)

2. "That" - Singular, Far

Physical distance:
  • "That looks like my lost suitcase over there."
  • "Can you pass me that book on the shelf?"
Temporal distance:
  • "That was the best summer of my life." (past)
  • "Remember that time we got lost?"
Abstract reference:
  • "I didn't like that about him." (specific trait)
  • "That doesn't make any sense to me." (previous statement)

3. "These" - Plural, Near

Physical proximity:
  • "These are the documents I need." (holding them)
  • "These flowers in my garden just bloomed."
Temporal proximity:
  • "These have been difficult months for everyone." (recent)
  • "These days, I prefer working from home." (current period)
Abstract reference:
  • "These are the reasons for my decision." (just listed)
  • "I can't ignore these any longer." (current issues)

4. "Those" - Plural, Far

Physical distance:
  • "Those mountains in the distance look spectacular."
  • "Could you grab those boxes from the storage room?"
Temporal distance:
  • "Those were the days!" (nostalgic past)
  • "In those years, technology advanced rapidly." (past era)
Abstract reference:
  • "Those were his exact words." (previously mentioned)
  • "I've moved beyond those childish fears." (past feelings)

Advanced Usage Rules

1. Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Demonstrative Adjectives

Pronoun (stands alone):
  • "This is incredible!"
  • "I prefer those."
Adjective (modifies a noun):
  • "This book is fascinating."
  • "Look at those birds!"

Same words, different functions based on whether they replace or modify nouns.

2. Psychological Distance

Demonstratives can indicate emotional closeness/distance regardless of physical space:

  • "I love this song!" (emotional closeness)
  • "I don't like that attitude." (emotional distance)
  • "These memories are precious to me." (valued)
  • "Those problems are behind us now." (distanced)

3. Discourse Reference

Pointing to elements in conversation or text:

  • "This brings me to my next point..." (upcoming idea)
  • "That concludes our discussion." (just finished)
  • "All of these factors must be considered." (previously listed)
  • "None of those arguments hold water." (earlier points)

4. Introducing People

Proper usage:
  • "This is my colleague, Dr. Smith." (introducing someone present)
  • "That was my professor on the phone." (not present)
Avoid:
  • ❌ "She is my wife." (when introducing) → ✅ "This is my wife."

Special Cases & Nuances

1. "This" vs. "That" in Phone Conversations

  • "This is Sarah speaking." (caller identifies themselves)
  • "Is that you, John?" (asking about listener)
  • "Who is this?" (asking caller to identify)

2. Time References

  • "This Monday" (upcoming or current week)
  • "That Monday" (specific past or future Monday)
  • "These days" (currently/recently)
  • "Those days" (in the past)

3. Abstract Concepts

  • "This democracy is fragile." (current system)
  • "That kind of thinking is dangerous." (specific type)
  • "These ideas revolutionized physics." (specific concepts)
  • "Those were different times." (past circumstances)

4. Cataphoric vs. Anaphoric Reference

Anaphoric (referring back):
  • "I bought a new car. This was my dream for years."
Cataphoric (referring forward):
  • "Listen to this: we're getting a company bonus!"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Number agreement errors:
  • ❌ "This are my friends." → ✅ "These are my friends."
  • ❌ "Those is incorrect." → ✅ "That is incorrect."
2. Distance confusion:
  • ❌ "This restaurant across town..." → ✅ "That restaurant across town..."
3. Overuse in writing:
  • ❌ Overusing "this" without clear reference: "This shows our theory." → ✅ "This result shows our theory."
4. Demonstrative adjective vs. pronoun confusion:
  • ❌ "This are delicious." (pointing to cookies) → ✅ "These are delicious." or "These cookies are delicious."

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun:

  1. "______ was the moment everything changed." (That)
  2. "Are ______ your glasses on the table?" (those)
  3. "______ days I've been feeling much better." (These)
  4. "Who left ______ on my desk?" (singular item nearby) (this)

2. Correct the Errors

  1. ❌ "This shoes are too small." → ✅ "These shoes are too small."
  2. ❌ "That are the wrong documents." → ✅ "Those are the wrong documents."
  3. ❌ "These is my preferred method." → ✅ "This is my preferred method."

3. Identify the Function

Is the demonstrative used as a pronoun or adjective?

  1. "This solution works best." (adjective)
  2. "That surprised everyone." (pronoun)
  3. "These are the correct answers." (pronoun)
  4. "Those flowers smell wonderful." (adjective)

Advanced Notes

1. Demonstratives in Different English Varieties:
  • Some dialects use "them" as demonstrative: "Pass me them papers." (non-standard)
  • British English sometimes uses "this/these" where American would use "that/those"
2. Historical Development:
  • Old English had a three-way distinction (proximal, medial, distal)
  • "Yon/yonder" were once common distant demonstratives
3. Demonstratives in Other Languages:
  • Many languages have more distance distinctions (e.g., Japanese "kore/sore/are")
  • Some languages distinguish visible vs. non-visible items