demonstrative pronouns in English language not much but they play important role pointing to the subject of conversation. Already in grade 3, students are taught to actively use these elements and understand the difference between them. Since demonstrative pronouns are very common in colloquial speech you need to know how to use them
Introduction to demonstrative pronouns
The task of this class of pronouns is to indicate an object, a person or their signs. In Russian, the following pronouns correspond to them: this (this, this, these), that (that, that, those), such (such, such, such), the same.
Table of demonstrative pronouns in English
These pronouns change by number, with the exception of such, the same. Let's take a look at the uses of these words one by one.
Features this, that, these, those
These pronouns are used when the speaker's goal is not only to indicate the object in question, but also to show how far the object is located in relation to the interlocutor. The following table makes it clear when each of these pronouns should be used.
So, if the narrator points to one close object, we use this, if there is an indication of many objects, then these is set. Pay attention to the following suggestions:
- This is my new T-shirt (This is my new T-shirt).
- These boots are very dirty (These boots are very dirty).
Both options refer to objects that are in the field of view of the speaker.
Accordingly, we will talk about physically distant objects using that for one object and those for several. For example:
- I would like to buy that parrot (I would like to buy that parrot).
- We don't know those guys (We don't know those guys).
In addition, these pronouns can indicate the temporal proximity of events. In this case, this and these are used in relation to the present, and that and those are used in relation to the past or future.
Those days were nice (Glorious were those days).
Use demonstrative pronouns in relation to people it is considered appropriate only when meeting. In other situations, it shows a dismissive attitude towards the person being discussed.
Demonstrative pronoun such
The role of this pronoun is to indicate the quality of the object or the object itself. It can be translated into Russian as "such" or "similar". And if after such there is a subject in the singular, be sure to put the indefinite article! In plural of course it won't.
- Such a silly outfit (What a stupid costume)!
- I have never seen such amazing creatures (I have never seen such amazing creatures).
pronoun the same
As for the pronoun the same, which translates as “similar”, “the same”, it is always used with the definite article the. It does not matter what number the next part of the speech is. Let's take an example:
We with friends have the same interests (We have similar interests with friends).
Along with the pronoun this (this), you can use it, the difference will be only in logical stress- Highlighting the intonation of a certain word.
Pay attention to the following examples:
- THIS is my classmate (It is this person, and not some other, that is my classmate).
- It is my CLASSMATE (This person is my classmate, not my brother or best friend).
When using several demonstrative pronouns in a choice situation, in order not to repeat the corresponding noun, the second time it is replaced with one or ones (for plural):
- He has chosen this coat, not that one (He chose this coat, not that).
- These cups are for our relatives and those ones are for guests (These cups are for our relatives, and those are for guests).
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There are four in English demonstrative pronouns (demonstrative pronouns): this (these), that (those), such and the same.
Indicative indicate a person, object or their signs and serve to distinguish them from other persons, objects, signs.
Demonstrative pronouns this, these, that, those
1. Demonstrative pronouns this/these are nearby with the speaker. And pronouns that/those point to things that removed from the speaker.
Examples: take this plum. It looks very ripe. – Take this plum. She looks very mature. ( It's about about a plum that the speaker sees right in front of him or holds in his hand)
That house is very beautiful. - That (this) the house is very beautiful. (We are talking about a house located at some distance from the speaker)
2. Before the noun to which the demonstrative pronoun refers this, these, that, those, .
Examples: I have read that book twice. - I've read that book twice.
Those houses are rather new. - Those the houses are fairly new.
3. In expressions of time, demonstrative pronouns this/these refer to moment of speech or to current time period. BUT that/those to the past or future.
Examples: Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Louis, I think This the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
I remember that he woke up early that morning. I remember that he woke up topics early in the morning.
4. After pronouns this and that frequently used pronoun one, in order not to repeat the previously mentioned noun twice.
Examples: Will you give me another cola? I don't like this one. - Give me another Coke. I do not like this.
5. In the meaning of a demonstrative pronoun, instead of that sometimes the pronoun is used it. It in this case translates as This.
Examples: What is that? - What This? (singular)
It is my cocktail dress. This is my cocktail dress.
But!
What are these? - What is it? (plural)
They are my dresses. These are my dresses.
6. Demonstrative pronouns that and this are often part of the established expressions of the English language.
That's right. - It's right. Everything is correct. Exactly.
That's a bit of all right
. - Fine.
Not at all! That's all right. “Please, no thanks.
Like this. - Thus.
Like before. - Thus.
To know better that that. - Be smarter.
Oh, hardly that. – No, not really. Not about that at all.
And all that. - Etc.
That's why. - So.
After that. - After that.
So that's that. - That's it. Such things.
etc.
Demonstrative pronouns such and same
1. Demonstrative pronoun such translates as such, such.
Examples: There are such interesting people here! - There is such interesting people!
Why don't all Chinese restaurants serve such delicious food? Why don't all Chinese restaurants serve such yummy?
2. Pronoun such defines a noun. If it comes before a countable noun in the singular, then after such is used .
Examples: It is such an honor to be nominated for this award. - This is such honor to be nominated for this award.
3. Demonstrative pronoun the same has the meaning the same, same. Before the same is always set.
Examples: Don't tell me same. - Do not tell me the same.
She bought same perfumes. - She bought same perfume.
Good afternoon dear friends!
Imagine the situation: you are standing in a souvenir shop in England, choosing magnets as a gift. You don't need those magnets, but these. How to say in English? Those, these, that, that… One little word, but the meaning of what was said is already changing. Today we will learn to distinguish sentences with demonstrative pronouns in English.
From this article you will learn:
Memorize four simple words
When we have already dealt with personal pronouns, we need to learn other types. Those that help you point out what you are talking about in English are called demonstrative pronouns, as they indicate the distance between the speaker and what he is talking about.
I suggest you take a look at the table and compare them:
| Pronoun | Translation | Example |
| This | This, this, this | This picture is really nice (This picture is very beautiful). |
| That | Ta, that, that | That house is mine (That house is mine). |
| These | These | These flowers are lovely (These flowers are lovely). |
| Those | Those | Those children are playing (Those children are playing). |
They need to be learned!
Everything is simple!
Demonstrative pronouns with translation into Russian
As for pronunciation, be careful when pronouncing this and these. The difference is quite insignificant. For us, but not . Let's take a look at transcription. The first word is pronounced as |ðɪs| (zys), the second - |ðiːz| (ziis).
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That is, in the first case, almost the same sound, but shorter, in the second, you need to pull it a little longer. What is the difference? Read on. By the way, have you read my new article about?
Demonstrative pronouns
All possible values
So, this is used in relation to in the singular or uncountable when the object we are pointing to is close to us. For example, This book is interesting (This book is interesting). That is used in relation to the same nouns, but when the subject is located far from the speaker. Can you pass me that knife, please? (Give me that knife, please.)
As for these, we say it when we point to plural nouns, if they are located next to us. Whose are these ear rings? (Whose earrings are these?) similar questions we will answer possessive pronoun. They are hers. Those also applies to words in the plural, but when they are far away from us. Can you pass me those slippers, please? (Give me those slippers, please).
Examples of the use of demonstrative pronouns
In addition to their main function - to directly point to an object, demonstrative pronouns have other uses:
This can be found in tense phrases with words like: morning, afternoon, evening, week, month, year. These expressions denote the nearest time period. For example, Let's meet this Saturday (Let's meet this Saturday). That is, it means Saturday this week.
- This year I'm going to study at university (This year I will study at the university).
All four pronouns are used to avoid repetition. - Put butter, flower and sugar into a bowl. Mix this well (Put butter, flour and sugar in a bowl. Mix it well).
We are going to the beach and then to the restaurant at the weekend. Are you happy with that? (We'll go to the beach, then to a restaurant at the weekend. Is that okay with you?) Towards people. To present them. - Sam, this is my father Smith (Sam is my dad - Mr. Smith).
- Is that your husband over there? (Is that your husband there?)
Also found in telephone conversations either when you need to ask someone, or when you yourself pick up the phone. - Hello! This is Jane speaking (Hello Jane on the wire).
- Hi! Is that Oliver? (Hi! Is that Oliver?)
Sometimes demonstrative pronouns indicate emotional closeness. So, for example, if you talk about something you love that makes you feel good, positive emotions, you can safely use this or these. - I like Paris with all these beautiful buildings (I like Paris with all these beautiful buildings).
If, on the other hand, something makes you negative emotions, you can talk about it by adding that or those. - I didn't like that new café. The food was terrible (I didn't like that new cafe. The food was terrible).
- The hotel we stayed wasn't good. All those paintings on the wall were to bright Sometimes that is used instead definite article the when it means something that many people know about. For example, Do you remember that little café on the corner? They closed it down last week? (Remember that little cafe on the corner? They closed it last week.)
This is occasionally used instead of indefinite article a/an, when they want to talk about something important, recently happened, to report news. This guy got into the bank and stole one million dollars (This guy got into the bank and stole a million dollars).
Sentences with demonstrative pronouns
Now let's consolidate all of the above and do the exercises.
Insert an appropriate demonstrative pronoun in the gaps.
- _____cake tastes really good!
For example, This cake tastes really good! - _____guy knocked on the door and asked if I had ordered a newspaper.
- What's in _____box over there?
- Sara, _____ is my sister Jane.
- _____is my son over there.
- On the phone.
Hello! Is _____Samantha speaking? - Let's order some chicken for lunch. Are you ok with_____ ?
- I'm going to take up yoga class _____month.
- I've been to _____part of Australia.
- You can use any of _____laptops.
Translate the following sentences:
Those books are very heavy.
For example, Those books are really heavy.
- Sandra, this is my friend Nikki.
- I will send these postcards on my way home.
- I didn't like that fitness club. Too small and stuffy in there.
- Remember that supermarket by the road? There's a discount on milk right now.
- I really like these white t-shirts in the new store.
- Give me that salad, please.
- I need to paint those walls.
- Steve looked very happy this morning.
- Whose boots are these?
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Online pronunciation of demonstrative pronouns in English.
Pronouns this - this, this, this and these- these point to objects in close proximity to the interlocutor
Pronouns that - that, that, then and those- those point to more distant objects.
Pronunciation of demonstrative pronouns
12. Demonstrative pronouns.
- - [ðɪs] -
- this, this, this
- these
- - [ðiːz] -
listen online
Usage examples for these
I found these photos while I was cleaning out my cupboards. - I found these photos while cleaning out my closet.
The pronoun these, like this, indicates objects that the speaker is holding in his hands or that are directly in front of him. This - points to one item (the form singular) , and these - indicates a group of items (plural form)
- - [ðæt] -
- that, that, that
listen online
Usage example for that
That pencil is yours. - That pencil is yours.
We are talking about a pencil that is not in close proximity to the speaker.
That indicates an object that is some distance away from the speaker.
- those
- - [ðəʊz] -
listen online
Usage examples for those
I like those flowers- I like those flowers.
The pronouns that and those indicate more distant objects. That - points to one item (singular form), and those - indicates a group of items (plural form)
- - -
- such, such
In some cases, the pronoun it is used in the meaning of the demonstrative pronoun
The use of one with the pronouns this, that.
After the pronouns this and that, the pronoun one is often used to avoid repeating the previously mentioned noun:
This book is mine, and that one is yours. - This book is mine and that one is yours.
The use of pronouns in expressions of time
This in time expressions refers to the moment of the conversation or the current period of time. Example:
I am busy at this moment. - I am busy at the moment.
That to a moment or period of time in the past or future. Example:
I am going to call on him at five o "clock. I hope he will come home by that time. - I'm going to visit him at five o'clock. I hope he will come home by this time.
In Russian, the demonstrative pronoun this (these) is often used not only to indicate close objects or to indicate the current moment of time, but also to indicate more distant objects, objects of which are not present, and to indicate past and future moments or periods of time. . Therefore, the pronoun this (these) in English in some cases corresponds to this (these) , and in others that (those) . Example:
- I'm going south this summer. - I shall go to the south this summer.
- I usually work in this room.- I usually work in this room.
- AT At that moment I heard a noise in the hallway.-At that moment I heard a noise in the corridor.
- Come at 5 o'clock. I will be at home at this time. - Come at five o "clock. I shall be at home at that time.
Demonstrative pronouns have separate forms for singular and plural:
Singular this - this, this, this, that - that, that, then.
Plural of these these, those- those.
Demonstrative pronouns are used as noun pronouns as well as adjective pronouns
Demonstrative pronoun-adjective, being a noun determiner, excludes the use of the article before the noun to which it refers. When the noun to which the demonstrative pronoun refers is preceded by other definitions, then the demonstrative pronoun, like any determiner, is placed before them:
- He lives in that house. - He lives in this house.
- He lives in that white house. - He lives in that white house.
Friends, we have already considered many types of English pronouns. Another section of pronouns in English that is necessary and important to know for everyone who studies this language is demonstrative pronouns.
Demonstrative pronouns or Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that point to a person or thing. Those who study English often come across demonstrative pronouns in texts, in speech, in dialogues. But, for sure, they don’t think about how these words are called in English grammar but they are used mechanically.
And these words - here they are: this, that, these, those, such, the same. They are found in every text, in every conversation in English. And now we will take a closer look at each of them, its grammatical function and role in the proposal.
This/that and their plural
The demonstrative pronouns in English This (this) and That (that) in a sentence indicate an object or person:
- This is an apple. - This isApple.
- That is a lamp. - Thatlamp.
- I like this girl very much, she is so beautiful. I really like this girl, she is so beautiful.
- That boy in the hall is so nice. - Thatboyinhallsuchcute.
In questions, these pronouns can act as independent words. For example:
- What is this? - WhatThis?
- What is that? - Whatthen?
The demonstrative pronouns This / That in the plural have the form These (these) and Those (those). Note:
- These apples are red. - Theseapples- red.
- Those copy-books are thin. Thosenotebooks– thin.
- These men are sportsmen. These men are athletes.
- Those girls are students. Thosegirls— female students.
Don't forget about Such!
- Such smalldetailswillmakeyourapartmentlookcomfortable. — Such small details can make your apartment cozy.
- I don't like such greedy people. I don't like such greedy people.
A few words about "The same"
It is worth mentioning this expression, which has the function of a demonstrative pronoun in English. As a rule, the same is translated as “the same, the same, the same”, etc. Pay attention to this pronoun in speech situations:
- Have a nice day! the same to you. — goodto youdays! Same to you.
- Ihavethe the same dress. - I have the same dress.
- I have same furniture at home. — UmesuchsamefurnitureHouses.
- the same skirt I saw at the supermarket. — SuchsameskirtIsawinsupermarket.
Demonstrative pronouns in a sentence
Demonstrative pronouns in English sentences can act as various members suggestions.
- Subject: This is the main desire in my life. “This is the main desire of my life.
- Addition:Shetoldmeaboutthat . - She told me about it.
- Definition:This dressismine. - This dress is mine.
Well, that's all, friends, what we wanted to tell you about demonstrative pronouns in English. To better fix them in your memory and "get your hand" in their use in speech, make sentences with them, use them in short dialogues, follow the appropriate grammar and speech exercises; thus, you will quickly get used to them. Until we meet again and good luck to you!
