Here are some important facts related with demonstrative pronoun that will help the readers to get proper information about demonstrative pronoun with detailed explanations.
The pronouns that are used instead of nouns to point out specific objects or things to which they refer are called demonstrative pronouns. The demonstrative pronouns are used instead of noun, noun phrase or any activity or situation. Demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, those, none, neither, nor such etc. The singular form of this type of pronoun consists of this, that, none, neither etc. We use this pronoun to specifically mention any object that has already been discussed be
Ex–These are very beautiful flowers but they smell bad.
Explanation;-The above example contains ‘these’ is a demonstrative pronoun. It is used instead of the noun ‘flowers’. It is a demonstrative pronoun and is always used in plural form.
Ex– This is an expensive car which my friend bought.
Explanation;- In this sentence ‘this’ demonstrative pronoun is used instead of the noun ‘car’. It is a singular number in form because it refers to a singular number noun.
Ex-Those are their apples.
Explanation;- Here in this example the demonstrative pronoun ‘those’ is used in place of the noun ‘apples’. The pronoun is plural in form because it refers to a plural number noun.
Can demonstrative pronouns be singular?
Demonstrative pronouns are not used only in singular number. They are substitutes of nouns. They are used specifically. We can use both the forms of the demonstrative pronouns. When we refer to singular things or items we can use singular forms of demonstrative pronouns and if it is needed to point out plural things or items we use plural forms of demonstrative pronouns.
The singular forms of this type of pronouns are this, that, none, neither and plural forms are these, those. The following examples will make us realize the different usages of demonstrative pronouns in singular and plural forms.
Ex–This is my mother’s necklace.
Explanation;-In this example ‘this’ is a demonstrative pronoun that is used to point out a singular number noun ’necklace’
Ex-Those are my sister’s rings.
Explanation;- In this example ‘those’ is a demonstrative pronoun that is used in place of a plural noun ‘rings’. Thus it is clear that demonstrative pronouns are used both as singular number and plural number.
Ex-That is your pen.
Explanation;- In the above example ‘that’ is a pronoun that is replaced by the singular noun ‘pen’.
When are demonstrative pronouns singular?
We use demonstrative pronouns to mention specific places, animals or things. They are used to describe the person that is identified. However they are also used to describe people when the person is identified. When the singular noun is specifically referred to, singular demonstrative pronoun is used in place of it. So we may say that to point out singular person, thing or any other situation singular demonstrative pronouns are used in the sentences. We must remember the singular forms of the demonstrative pronouns.
Ex-That was an interesting story to read.
Explanation;-In this sentence the singular form of demonstrative pronoun ‘that’ is used in the sentence. It is used instead of the noun ‘story’. This singular form of the pronoun indicates the noun that is in singular number.
Ex-This is your brother who won the first prize.
Explanation;- In this example the demonstrative pronoun ‘this’ is placed in place of the noun ‘brother’. It refers to a noun that is singular in number.
Which demonstrative pronouns are singular?
Demonstrative pronouns are mainly two forms. They are used both in singular and plural numbers.. The singular number demonstrative pronouns specifically stand for singular number nouns. They are the substitutions of previously mentioned nouns that are understood from the context. The singular number demonstrative pronouns are this, that, none, neither etc. They have singular verbs after them.
Ex–This is the book which I bought yesterday.
Explanation- In the above example ‘this’ is a demonstrative pronoun. It is used in place of the noun‘book’. It is singular in number. So a singular verb is used after it.
Ex-None of the fighting foes could defeat us.
Explanation- Here in this example ‘none’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun. The pronoun ‘none’ is used instead of the noun ‘foes’. This is singular in form. So, a singular verb is used after it.
Why are demonstrative pronouns singular?
It is an odd idea whether demonstrative pronouns are singular. There are two types of demonstrative pronouns. They are used in sentences instead of people, places or things both as singular and plural number. As they are used in both two forms demonstrative pronouns cannot be called only as singular. They are both singular and plural.
Ex-This is the place where we went last year.
Explanation;- In this example ‘this’ is used instead of the noun ‘place’. This refers to the singular number noun and singular verb is used here.
Ex-Have you seen that boy who stood first in the class?
Explanation- In this above example ‘that’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun. It is replaced the noun ‘boy’. It is singular in number.
Which demonstrative pronouns are always singular?
The previous discussions clearly show that demonstrative pronouns are used both as singular and plural numbers. Some of them are always singular in their nature as we find them in the sentences. They are used instead of the nouns which are either near or far. Specially the demonstrative pronouns this’ and ‘that’ are always singular. They are used in place of a singular noun. They are placed in place of the singular nouns in sentences.
Ex-This is the sweet home which was built in 1985 by my grandfather.
Explanation;- In this sentence the demonstrative pronoun ‘this’ is replaced for the noun ‘house’. ‘This’ is a singular number demonstrative pronoun.
Ex-That was a nice movie.
In the example ‘that’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun. It is used in place of ‘movie’.
Examples of the singular demonstrative pronouns;
Demonstrative pronouns can be used in the two forms singular number and plural number. The following examples will show singular number demonstrative pronouns are used in sentences.
Ex–This is really a bad smelling rotten mango.
Explanation;- In the above example ‘this’ is the pronoun that is used instead of the noun ‘mango’. It is singular in form.
Ex-I cannot believe she said that.
Explanation;- In this example ‘that’ is used in place of the noun ‘word’ though it is omitted here. This is surely singular in form.
Ex–This is a very nice surprise to me.
Explanation;- Here ‘this’ is a demonstrative pronoun that is replaced by the noun ‘surprise’. It is singular in form.
Ex–This is the pen which he bought yesterday.
Explanation;- Here the demonstrative pronoun ‘this’ is used in place of the noun ‘pen’. It is a singular number and singular is placed after it.
Ex–That was the event where he took part.
Explanation;-In this example ‘that’ is used as singular as it is replaced for the singular noun ‘event . Singular verb is used here after it.
Which demonstrative pronouns can be either singular or plural?
Demonstrative pronouns are commonly seen both as singular and plural. But some of them are used instead of nouns both as a singular and a plural number. They can be singular when they are replaced in place of a singular number noun. They are used as plural numbers when they are replaced in plural number nouns. The demonstrative pronouns that are used either singular or plural are such, none neither.
Ex-Such is my command over the language.
Explanation;- Here the demonstrative pronoun ‘such’ is used as a singular number . It is used in place of ‘command’.
Ex-Such are the men who cannot make mistakes.
Explanation;- Here the demonstrative pronoun ‘such’ is used as a plural number. It is clear to us that the demonstrative pronoun ‘such’ is used both as singular and plural.
How to identify demonstrative pronouns:
Demonstrative pronouns are replaced with nouns specifically. Pronouns are divided into many categories. But unlike them demonstrative pronouns refer to specific nouns whether the nouns are named specifically or not. There is a great difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives. When the nouns are replaced by pronouns in sentences. They are demonstrative pronouns and when they modify the nouns they are called demonstrative adjectives.
Ex–This is my pen.
Explanation; Here‘this’ is a demonstrative pronoun because it is used in place of the noun ‘pen’.
Ex-This pen is mine.
Explanation;- In this example ‘this’ is a demonstrative adjective because it modifies the noun ‘pen’.
Conclusion
This article will surely help us to learn singular demonstrative pronouns very well. The detailed examples and explanations will be helpful while writing in using demonstrative pronouns.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.