Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out the persons or things for which they stand. English has just five of them and they are: this, that, these, those and such.

  • This is the prize I got.
  • That is her house.
  • These are the girls who won the prizes.
  • Those are the pictures to be framed.
  • I may have offended you, but such was not my intention.

When these words are used as pronouns, they stand alone. That means they are not followed by a noun.

  • This is my pen.

Note that the words this, that, these, those and such can also be used as demonstrative adjectives. Demonstrative adjectives are followed by the nouns or pronouns they qualify.

  • This tree is taller than that tree. (Here the demonstrative adjective this modifies the noun tree.)
  • Those houses look imposing. (Here the demonstrative adjective those modifies the noun houses.)
  •  Nobody likes such people.

Demonstrative pronouns only stand for certain nouns, and they are not immediately followed by the nouns.

  • This is my daughter.
  • These are the only apples left.

Indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words like one, none, nobody, nothing, all, few, some, many, anybody, everybody etc. They do not refer to any person or thing in particular but are used in a general way.

  • One should love one’s country.
  • Nobody came to her rescue.
  • None of these conditions is acceptable to us.
  • Something is better than nothing.
  • Few escaped unhurt.
  • We haven’t received any reply yet.

Notes: None means not one: it may be followed by a singular or plural verb.