If you have recently started to study English, it is very likely that you have many doubts.
One of the most frequent is how to use demonstratives such as this, that, these or those.
Do you want to solve your doubts?
Then we recommend you to keep reading this post In Funtalk we give you all the tips you need to know!
What demonstrative pronouns are there in English?
Although in Spanish the demonstrative pronouns are numerous, in English we are in luck because there are only 4 demonstrative pronouns and they are
there are only 4 demonstrative pronouns and they are: this (este/a), that (ese/a or aquel/aquella), these (and those (those or those). However, although they are not so numerous, they can be a bit tricky to use if you are just starting to study English.
When are demonstratives used?
English demonstratives are so called because they show or point to the object, place or idea to which the speaker refers.
In this context we can find two main uses:
- Referring to the location of something or someone: Demonstrative pronouns are used to refer to the closeness or remoteness of an object with respect to the speaker or listener.
In this sense, for example, we can use the pronoun this to refer to the fact that an object is close by, or that to express that it is far away.
Let’s look at a couple of examples:
Sentence with this: This food is delicious, I can taste all the flavors Sentence with that: That city is too far from here, I don’t think I’ll be able to visit it anytime soon.
- Refer to ideas that have been previously expressed: Demonstrative pronouns allow you to express yourself without being redundant and repeating expressions.
Let’s look at a couple of examples:
Prayer with this: As we discussed earlier, this project is a high priority and we need to complete it on time. Prayer with that: Regarding the issue that we talked about earlier, that problem still hasn’t been resolved.
How are demonstrative pronouns used in English?
Now that we know when they are used, let’s see what rules they follow.
The first thing we need to know to understand how demonstratives are used in English easily is that they are always used referring to a noun and can be of two types.
Demonstrative adjectives
This type of demonstrative pronouns are the equivalent of the Spanish demonstrative determiners, which are followed by the noun to which they refer.
Some examples of sentences with demonstrative adjectives are the following:
- This car is much faster than that one → Este coche es mucho más rápido que aquel.
- These shoes are more comfortable than those → These shoes are more comfortable than those.
Demonstrative pronouns
This type of pronouns are those that replace the noun when it is obvious and can be omitted.
Some examples of sentences with demonstrative pronouns are the following:
- This is my favorite book → Este es mi libro favorito
- Those are my favorite shoes → Aquellos son mis zapatos favoritos
So much for today’s post!
We hope you found it useful and now you know when to use demonstrative pronouns in English and what rules they follow See you in another post!