Demonstrative Pronoun Rules:
Demonstrative pronouns point to specific nouns or noun phrases. They help to identify which person or thing is being referred to, and they can be used to indicate distance, closeness, and even singular or plural items.
Types of Demonstrative Pronouns:
* This and these refer to things that are near the speaker.
* "This is my favorite book." (Singular)
* "These are my favorite books." (Plural)
* That and those refer to things that are farther away from the speaker.
* "That is my friend's car." (Singular)
* "Those are my friend's cars." (Plural)
Rules for Using Demonstrative Pronouns:
1. Agreement with Number:
* Use this and that for singular items.
* Use these and those for plural items.
* Example: "This is a good book." (Singular) vs. "These are good books." (Plural)
2. Agreement with Distance:
* Use this and these for things that are close to the speaker.
* Use that and those for things that are far away from the speaker.
* Example: "This pen is mine." (Close) vs. "That pen over there is mine." (Far)
3. Substitution for Nouns:
* Demonstrative pronouns can replace nouns to avoid repetition.
* Example: "I like this book more than that one." (This = book close to the speaker, that = book far from the speaker)
4. Use with Other Words:
* Demonstrative pronouns often work with other words like "one", "ones", "kind", and "sort".
* Example: "This kind of music is relaxing."
Examples:
* "These are my new shoes." (Plural, close)
* "That is the house I grew up in." (Singular, far)
* "I like this one better than those." (Singular, close vs. plural, far)
Remember:
* Demonstrative pronouns should be used carefully to avoid confusion, especially in writing.
* Be aware of the context and distance to choose the appropriate pronoun.
* When substituting for a noun, make sure the meaning is clear.
By understanding these rules, you can use demonstrative pronouns effectively to add clarity and emphasis to your writing and speech.