+20 EXAMPLES of DEMONSTRATIVE pronouns [easy summary!]

The pronouns are words that are used for substitute a name that we have previously used in the subject to avoid its repetition. That is, they point to things, objects or people that have already been mentioned above and that both the speaker and the listener know which noun they refer to.

Demonstrative Pronouns, on the other hand, we indicate the distance what is between a certain object and the person who is speaking. Thanks to the demonstrative pronouns we can know if the objects are near or far. In this lesson from a TEACHER we want to teach you demonstrative pronouns with examples.

As we have pointed out previously, demonstrative pronouns fulfill a show function to help us mention or distinguish objects that have been previously named. They help us to show distance the speaker encounters the object itself. For instance: What bike is foldable? This one is collapsible, that one is not. Thanks to demonstrative pronouns we can know where each bike is located.

Characteristics of demonstrative pronouns

These are the main features of the demonstrative pronouns:

• When demonstrative pronouns are accompanied by a noun, they automatically become adjectives, since they do not replace any noun. That is, a demonstrative pronoun can never be accompanied by a noun. For example: That motorcycle is very big (adjective) / That one is very big (Adverb)
• Until a few years ago, demonstrative pronouns were accented to distinguish them from their unstressed forms. Now none of them are accented. For example: I am going to choose that one (ice cream).
• Demonstrative Pronouns they have gender and number because they agree with the noun they replace. For example: I like this (building) / I like this (song).

Demonstrative pronouns can be classified according to degree of distance that they have with the indicated object, since, as we have said before, their main function is to make us understand where is the object that we have previously named. Next we will explain the three degrees away of the demonstrative pronouns and which ones belong to each classification.

Demonstrative pronouns of the first degree

They indicate a closeness between the object and the person that is speaking, that is, the emitter is very close to the object to which she is referring, she can touch it without problem. For example: This (pencil) is yours.

• East
• This
• These
• This
• This

Demonstrative pronouns of the second degree

They indicate a average closeness between the object and the person that she is speaking, that is, the object is at a not very far distance, but that the emitter cannot reach it unless it moves. It is also common to use it when the object is owned by the interlocutor, to express respect towards his belonging and her space. For example: I would choose that (dress).

• That
• This
• Those
• Those
• That

Demonstrative pronouns of the third degree

They indicate a distance between object and person that she is speaking, that is to say that the object is very far from both the emitter and the receiver and neither of them could touch the object without moving. For example: That (girl) is my friend.

• That
• That
• Those
• Those
• That

The best way to recognize demonstrative pronouns is seeing clear examples of how they are used in a sentence. Here is a list with some examples where we have marked the demonstrative pronoun in bold font to help you recognize it. Look at them calmly and analyze each of the sentences in order to internalize the correct use of demonstrative pronouns in sentences.

Here you have examples of demonstrative pronouns that will help you better understand the lesson:

• That (furniture) will be better than the one we have now
• Don't throw them all away, at least save me those (journals)
• He hit me this (child) leaving school
• Which one do you like the most, this (skirt) or this (dress)?
• These (cars) are new so be very careful
• Those (markers) are yours, we give them to you for Christmas
• This (bottle) is mine, yours is out
• Stay with are (flowers), they are the ones that favor you the most
• What is it that (topic) what did you want to tell me about?
• Say hi to that (boy) that goes there that you have the strongest voice
• Where have you found this (a diary)? I've been looking for it for years
• give to me those (flares) that look like they make a lot of sparks
• Those (the boy and the girl) are in love, you can see them from afar
• What is it that (tattoo) what have you got on your back?
• Mine is that (motorcycle), the one that is shinier

Now you know the examples of demonstrative pronouns. If you are interested in continuing to learn about this topic or something similar, do not hesitate to consult our section of Grammar and Linguistics where you can find explanations of other types of words and how use them.