What are demonstrative pronouns in the English language?
Demonstrative pronouns are words that replace or substitute for a specific noun or noun phrase, indicating its proximity in terms of space or time. In English, the main demonstrative pronouns are “this”, “that”, “these” and “those.” Here’s an explanation of each:
Common demonstrative pronouns
- This:
- Usage: Used to replace a singular noun that is close to the speaker.
- Example: “I want this.” (Here, “this” replaces a specific item that is close to the speaker.)
- That:
- Usage: Used to replace a singular noun that is farther away from the speaker.
- Example: “Is that yours?” (Here, “that” replaces an item that is not close to the speaker.)
- These:
- Usage: Used to replace plural nouns that are close to the speaker.
- Example: “Can I have these?” (Here, “these” replaces specific items that are close.)
- Those:
- Usage: Used to replace plural nouns that are farther away from the speaker.
- Example: “Look at those.” (Here, “those” replaces specific items that are not close.)
Why are Demonstrative Pronouns Important ?
Demonstrative pronouns help avoid repetition in language and make communication more concise. They’re often used when the noun being referred to is clear from the context or has been mentioned previously.
Demonstrative pronouns differ from demonstrative adjectives
Demonstrative pronouns differ from demonstrative adjectives in that pronouns stand alone to replace nouns, while adjectives modify nouns. For example, “I like this book” uses “this” as a demonstrative adjective modifying the noun “book,” whereas “I want this” uses “this” as a demonstrative pronoun replacing the noun.