Demonstrative Pronouns

§ 11. There are four demonstrative pronouns in English: this,

that, such and same. They all may be used as noun pronouns and

as adjective pronouns.

The pronouns this and that change for number. Their corresponding

plural forms are: these and those.

§ 12. The pronoun this (these) refers to what is near in space,

time or conception (a), that (those) to what is farther off (b).

e.g. a) Do you know these people? This is Harry Field, my coach,

and this is Jake Spring, the producer.

Take this pear. It looks very ripe.

"Look at this," he said and showed me his tie.

When he stopped talking, she wondered, "Why is he telling

me all this?"

"Maybe you don't want to go to this party," he asked hoping

she would say "no".

b) Do you see those houses in the distance? That's where we

are going.

Is that your son?

They ate the pie and drank the coffee in silence. When

they had finished, Delany said, "Now I'll have that cigar

you offered me."

He was deaf but she didn't think that many people noticed

that.

The pronouns this (these) and that (those) may also have other

applications.

1) In some cases this (these) may refer to what is to follow,

that (those) to what precedes.

e.g. After I've listened to you very attentively I'll tell you this —

I don't think you should trust the man.

But I'm glad to see you have an interest in sports. That

means we have two things in common.

2) This (these) and that (those) are often used with nouns indi

cating time. This (these) is used for time which is future or just

past. That (those) is used for time which is clearly past.

e.g. "Why don't you come and see me some time?" "How about

this Sunday, if it's convenient?" Father had to go to

Chicago this morning. I remember that he woke up early that

morning. She looked flushed and well, although she had a

heart attack

that summer.

3) Sometimes the use of this (these) and that (those) is emo

tionally coloured. The kind of feeling implied (affection, vexation,

disgust, contempt, etc.) depends on the situation.

e.g. Will this dog ever stop barking?

Do you really believe in those ideas? When

will you stop trumping that piano? He is one

of those so-called modern poets.

4) The pronoun that (those) may be used instead of a noun al

ready mentioned. It is called a prop-word in this case.

e.g. He found it easier to believe that her actions were those of a

spoilt girl.

He hung his daughter's portrait beside that of his wife's.

These poems are not so good as those written by you last

year.

I entered by the door opposite to that opening into the garden.

She was a good teacher. She knew how to teach bright children

and those who were slow.

I was interested to learn that the cafe was the same that we

had visited five years before.

As is seen from the above examples, that (those) in this case is

followed by a prepositional phrase, a participle, an ing-form or a

clause.

5) That is often used instead of it. In this case that appears to

be more emphatic than it.

e.g. I'm going to practise law. I have that all planned. "Let's send

him a wire." "That's an excellent idea." "His gun went off

and he nearly killed himself." "I didn't

know that."

"Tell her I'm sorry 1 missed her." "I'll do that."

"I'm going to stay here a while." "That's fine."

6) Those followed by a who-clause, a participle or an ing-form

refers to persons.

e.g. Serious newspapers are read by those (=people) who want to

know about important happenings everywhere.

Even those (=people) who do not like his pictures are not indifferent

to him.

Those (=people) injured in the accident were taken to hospital.

Note. Those present 'присутствующие' and those concerned 'заинтересован-

ные лица' are set phrases.

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7) In spoken English that may be used as an adverbial modifi

er of degree.

e.g. I did not think he was that stupid. I will go

that far, but no further. He should know

that much about his trade.