Demostrative Pronouns

1. Like all pronouns, they replace nouns. Demonstrative pronouns are used to replace specific people or things that have been previously mentioned (or are understood from context).

1.1. A demonstrative pronoun tells us whether it is replacing something singular or plural and whether that thing(s) is close by or farther away.

1.1.1. Singular

1.1.1.1. This

1.1.1.1.1. This represents something close by. For example:

1.1.1.2. That

1.1.1.2.1. That represents something farther away. For example:

1.1.2. Plural

1.1.2.1. These

1.1.2.1.1. These represents something close by. For example:

1.1.2.2. Those

1.1.2.2.1. Those represents something farther away. For example:

2. The Difference between Demonstrative Pronouns and Demonstrative Adjectives

2.1. The demonstrative adjectives are this, that, these, and those (i.e., the same words as the demonstrative pronouns). However, demonstrative adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. They cannot stand alone to play the role of a noun. For example:

2.1.1. - This soup is very smelly. - You smell that factory from here. - These apples smell rotten. - Do not paint those fences. Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns (shown in bold above).