What is the Difference Between Demonstrative Pronoun and Demonstrative Adjective?

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The difference between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives lies in their position and function within a sentence. Here are the key differences:

  • Demonstrative Adjectives:
  • Used to describe or specify an object.
  • Placed before the noun to provide more information about it.
  • Examples: this, that, these, those.
  • Eg: This house is beautiful (the demonstrative adjective "this" describes the house).
  • Demonstrative Pronouns:
  • Used instead of a noun to point out the subject or object doing or receiving the action in the sentence.
  • Stand in place of the noun, with the noun being implied or already mentioned.
  • Examples: this, that, these, those.
  • Eg: This is beautiful (the demonstrative pronoun "this" replaces the noun "house").

In summary, demonstrative adjectives describe or specify a noun, while demonstrative pronouns stand in place of the noun and are used to point out the subject or object in a sentence. The same words can be used as both demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, but their position and function in a sentence differentiate them.

Comparative Table: Demonstrative Pronoun vs Demonstrative Adjective

Here is a table that highlights the differences between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives:

Feature Demonstrative Pronouns Demonstrative Adjectives
Function Replaces a noun or stands alone Modifies a noun
Use Can stand alone or be followed by linking verbs Followed by nouns
Examples This (stands alone)
That (stands alone)
These (stands alone)
Those (stands alone)
This book (modifies "book")
That car (modifies "car")
These toys (modifies "toys")
Those shoes (modifies "shoes")

Demonstrative pronouns can replace nouns or stand alone, while demonstrative adjectives modify nouns and are followed by nouns. The same word can be both a demonstrative pronoun and a demonstrative adjective, depending on how it is used.