Pronoun demonstrative

Summary

A demonstrative pronoun points to another noun (e.g., this, that, those).

Article

Demonstrative determiners indicate a specific object or thing by means of a verbal gesture. For example, consider the sentences, “I want this,” or “I want that.” The words “this” and “that” are demonstrative pronouns. They indicate what is wanted.

Demonstrative pronouns are classified as either “near” or “far.” A “near” demonstrative pronoun indicates something near the speaker. A “far” demonstrative pronoun indicates something at a distance from the speaker. In the examples above, the word “this” is a “near” demonstrative pronoun. The word “that” is a “far” demonstrative pronoun.

However, sometimes “near” and “far” demonstrative pronouns do not necessarily indicate distance from the speaker. Sometimes a speaker uses both a “near” and “far” demonstrative pronoun to indicate two different items that are the same distance. Consider the example above. If a person is buying a basket in a shop, they may say to the shopkeeper, “I want this, but I don’t want that.” In cases like this, the “near” and “far” demonstrative pronouns may not indicate distance. The “near” and “far” demonstrative pronouns may be a way a simply distinguishing the basket that is wanted from the basket that is not wanted. This is a very common use of demonstrative pronouns.

1. A demonstrative pronoun can refer to a noun which is near (οὗτος, this).

   οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ῥηθεὶς (Mat 3:3)

   for this is what was spoken

2. A demonstrative pronoun can refer to a noun which is far away (ἐκεῖνος, that).

   ἐκεῖνος κλέπτης ἐστὶν καὶ λῃστής (Jhn 10:1)

   That one is a thief and a robber.

John 1:7 οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι’ αὐτοῦ.

John 1:8

οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ’ ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.