Pronouns: Demonstrative

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.

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