A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that points to a specific noun or noun phrase in a sentence. It can substitute for the noun or noun phrase as long as what it represents is clear within the context.<\/p>\n
\nExample<\/em><\/strong>
\nAs far as sales are concerned, this<\/u> has been a better month than the last. (The pronoun this <\/em>serves as a noun reference to month.<\/em>)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDemonstrative pronouns can be singular or plural.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n Singular<\/strong><\/td>\n Plural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n this<\/td>\n these<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n that<\/td>\n those<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n This <\/em>and these<\/em> are used to describe something that is close or immediate. That <\/em>and those <\/em>identify something that is not as close or immediate.<\/p>\n
Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives: What’s the Difference?<\/h2>\n
Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives are the same four words listed right above. The difference between them is how they are used in a sentence.<\/p>\n
If the pronoun identifies and modifies a noun, it is a demonstrative adjective. A demonstrative adjective will always precede a noun or noun phrase.<\/p>\n
\nExamples<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis<\/u> slice of pizza is about to disappear. (The pronoun identifies and modifies a desired slice that is close.)<\/p>\nHave you ever been to that<\/u> new museum? (The pronoun identifies and modifies a new museum that is not close.)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If the pronoun stands in for an understood noun or noun phrase, it is a demonstrative pronoun.<\/p>\n
\nExamples<\/em><\/strong>
\nYou’re looking for better tires? These<\/u> will serve you well. (The pronoun represents the understood plural noun tires, <\/em>which are close to the speaker.)<\/p>\nThose<\/u> are the shoes he wants. (The pronoun acts as a noun representing shoes<\/em> that are not close the speaker.)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Demonstrative Pronouns with Clear Antecedents<\/h2>\n
As we’ve mentioned, demonstrative pronouns are meant to stand in for a clearly identified antecedent, the grammatical term for the expression that gives a pronoun its meaning.<\/p>\n
In the sentence those are the shoes he wants, <\/em>the antecedent for those <\/em>is shoes, <\/em>the noun to which the pronoun refers.<\/p>\n
In some cases, the antecedent for a demonstrative pronoun can be a full sentence.<\/p>\n
\nExample<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe mark-up on these tickets is astronomical. That<\/u> is why I will not purchase them. (The demonstrative pronoun that <\/em>refers to the entire thought expressed in the previous sentence.)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\nIn clear writing, we will avoid a demonstrative pronoun that is loosely associated with its antecedent. Ambiguous demonstrative pronouns point back to what could be different choices of antecedent, as in the following sentence:<\/p>\n
The instructor would like us to bring a laptop computer plus pencils, pens, and notebooks, although those<\/u> aren’t mandatory.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Does the demonstrative pronoun those <\/em>refer to everything that precedes it or just to the pencils, pens, and notebooks? Or is it just the notebooks? Perhaps the exclusion includes the laptop computer as well.<\/p>\n
Note that in certain instances, a demonstrative pronoun’s antecedent can be something that is not known specifically but understood in principle.<\/p>\n
\nExamples<\/em><\/strong>
\nThat<\/u> which does not kill us makes us stronger. (We don’t know exactly what that <\/em>is, but we still understand the concept it identifies.)<\/p>\nThose<\/u> who plant justice and good will reap lasting rewards. (We don’t know precisely who those <\/em>people are, but we understand their potential to exist.)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n