demonstrate (verb): to show; to indicate; to point to
A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:- near in distance or time (this, these)
- far in distance or time (that, those)
| near | far | |
| singular | this | that |
| plural | these | those |
- This tastes good.
- Have you seen this?
- These are bad times.
- Do you like these?
- That is beautiful.
- Look at that!
- Those were the days!
- Can you see those?
- This is heavier than that.
- These are bigger than those.
Do
not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They
are identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a
demonstrative adjective qualifies a noun.
Normally
we use demonstrative pronouns for things only. But we can use them for
people when the person is identified. Look at these examples: - That smells. (demonstrative pronoun)
- That book is good. (demonstrative adjective + noun)
- This is Josef speaking. Is that Mary?
- That sounds like John.
