Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns stand in for a person, place or thing that must be pointed to. They may function as subjects, objects or objects of the preposition
When referring to a singular place, thing or idea use these demonstrative pronouns:
| (Singular demonstrative pronoun)-- | This, That |
As a subject:
- This has been a difficult decade for the U.S. Presidency.
- That is whom you should meet at the dinner at the Corcoran Gallery.
As a direct object:
- Would you deliver this?
- The demands on the President's time had knocked that off the schedule.
As an object of the preposition:
- Does the shirt you bough go with this?
- Steve will put the a new coat of paint on that if necessary.
When referring to a plural place, thing or idea use these demonstrative pronouns:
| (Plural demonstrative pronoun)-- | These, Those |
As a subject:
- These are the preferred pens in this department.
- Those attempting to purchase handguns must wait seven days.
As a direct object:
- Will Alan find these in time?
- Beth donated those to the team.
As an object of the preposition:
- Please climb over these before you continue the course.
- Chris can work with those.
Remember just like other pronouns, a demonstrative pronoun stands in for a noun. The same words that act as demonstrative pronouns may act as adjectives when they are used to modify a noun rather than stand in for it. For example:
THIS
Demonstrative pronoun:
- This will lead us to the car.
Adjective
- This path is taking us in the wrong direction.
THAT
Demonstrative pronoun:
- That is not the best approach.
Adjective
- That approach will not work.
THOSE
Demonstrative pronoun:
- Those will work just fine.
Adjective
- Those plants were damaged by the frost.
THESE
Demonstrative pronoun:
- These look edible.
Adjective
- These berries are delicious.