Learn how to use pointing pronouns to identify items based on distance, quantity, and specific qualities under "Demonstrative Pronouns".
🗺️ 1. Decision Map: Distance & Quantity Matrix
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ WHERE IS THE ITEM │
│ AND HOW MANY ARE │
│ THERE? │
└─────────────┬─────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────┴───────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ 👈 NEAR DISTANCE ] [ 👉 FAR DISTANCE ]
• Singular (1): THIS • Singular (1): THAT
• Plural (>1): THESE • Plural (>1): THOSE
│
▼
[ 🌟 TYPE / DEGREE ]
• Singular/Plural: SUCH
📊 2. Summary Comparison Table: All 5 Forms
| Demonstrative Pronoun 🏷️ | Distance / Relation 📍 | Number ⚙️ | Primary Function 💬 | Example Sentence 📝 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. This | Near (Physical / Mental) | Singular (1) | Points to a single nearby item | Come look at this. |
| 2. That | Far (Physical / Mental) | Singular (1) | Points to a single distant item | That looks like a dark storm cloud over there. |
| 3. These | Near (Physical / Mental) | Plural (>1) | Points to multiple nearby items | These are my favorite running shoes. |
| 4. Those | Far (Physical / Mental) | Plural (>1) | Points to multiple distant items | Who owns those bicycles across the street? |
| 5. Such | Type / Degree | Singular / Plural | Refers to a specific quality or extent | Such was the impact of his inspirational speech. |
🔍 3. Comprehensive Breakdown with Sentence Examples
1. This 👈 (singular — near distance)
- "Come look at this."
- "This is the best coffee I have ever tasted."
2. That 👉 (singular — far distance)
- "That looks like a dark storm cloud over there."
- "I saw a car yesterday, and that was the model I want."
3. These 👈👈 (plural — near distance)
- "These are my favorite running shoes."
- "Take a look at these freshly baked cookies."
4. Those 👉👉 (plural — far distance)
- "Who owns those bicycles across the street?"
- "Those were wonderful memories from our school days."
5. Such 🌟 (type, degree, or quality)
- "Such was the impact of his inspirational speech."
- "He expected a promotion, but such was not the company's plan."
🧠 4. Essential Grammar Rules
1. The Touch Rule: Use this/these for items close enough to physically touch. Use that/those for items further away.
2. Subject-Verb Agreement:
- Use singular verbs (is, was) with this and that (e.g., "This is mine").
- Use plural verbs (are, were) with these and those (e.g., "These are mine").
3. Standalone Test: Ensure no noun directly follows the demonstrative word. If a noun follows directly (e.g., "this phone"), it is acting as an adjective, not a pronoun.