Demonstrative+adjectives+&+pronouns

=Demonstratives=
 * Notes:**
 * 1) The written lesson is below.
 * 2) Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

In this lesson, we will discuss demonstratives of two types: demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns. The first step in clearly understanding these two topics is to review the differences between "adjectives" and "pronouns." > **adjective** > describes a noun**pronoun** > takes the place of a noun

In the following sentences, the words in **bold** all function as adjectives, since they all describe the noun "book." > Give me the **red** book. > Give me the **big** book. > Give me **that** book. > Give me **this** book. Notice that adjectives answer the question "Which?" in relation to the nouns that they modify. (Which book? The //red// book. The //big// book. //That// book. //This// book.)

In the following sentences, the words in **bold** all function as pronouns, since they all take the place of a noun. > Maria is next; give **her** the ball. > Juan is here; say hello to **him**. > That pencil is yours; **this** is mine. > This book is mine; **that** is yours. Notice that pronouns replace a noun. ("her" replaces "Maria" - "him" replaces "Juan" - "this" replaces "pencil" - "that" replaces "book")

As you have just seen, the words "this" and "that" can function as both adjectives and pronouns. > **This** book is mine. (adjective) > **This** (one) is mine. (pronoun)**That** book is yours.(adjective) > **That** (one) is yours. (pronoun)

The same is true in Spanish. > Juan reads **this** book. (adjective) > Juan lee **este** libro.Juan reads **this**. (pronoun) > Juan lee **este**.**That** statue is Greek. > **Esa** estatua es griega.**That** (one) is American. > **Esa** es americana.

Spanish has three words where English only has two. In English, we say "this" or "that" depending upon whether the object is close to us or not. In Spanish, we also say "this" and "that," but there is another, separate word used to mean "that one over there." This form is used when the object is more than just a short distance away, for example, on the other side of the room. Here are the three forms for "this" "that" and "that one over there." > **este** > this**ese** > that**aquel** > that one over there

Remember that in Spanish, adjectives have four forms: masculine singular, masculine plural, feminine singular, feminine plural. For example the adjective "short" has four forms in Spanish: bajo, bajos, baja, bajas. > el chico **bajo** > los chicos **bajos**la chica **baja** > las chicas **bajas**

The demonstrative adjectives also have four forms: > **este** libro (this book) > **estos** libros (these books) > **esta** pluma (this pen) > **estas** plumas (these pens)**ese** libro (that book) > **esos** libros (those books) > **esa** pluma (that pen) > **esas** plumas (those pens)**aquel** libro (that book over there) > **aquellos** libros (those books over there) > **aquella** pluma (that pen over there) > **aquellas** plumas (those pens over there)

Here are the corresponding demonstrative pronouns: > **este** (this one - masculine) > **estos** (these ones - masculine) > **esta** (this one - feminine) > **estas** (these ones - feminine)**ese** (that one - masculine) > **esos** (those ones - masculine) > **esa** (that one - feminine) > **esas** (those ones - feminine)**aquel** (that one over there - masc.) > **aquellos** (those ones over there - masc.) > **aquella** (that one over there - fem.) > **aquellas** (those ones over there - fem.)

Each demonstrative pronoun also has a neuter form. They do not change for number or gender, and they are used to refer to abstract ideas, or to an unknown object. > **esto** (this matter, this thing) > **eso** (that matter, that thing) > **aquello** (that matter/thing over there)


 * Note:** The rule used to be that the demonstrative pronouns always carried a written accent, while the demonstrative adjectives did not. But in 1959 the [|Real Academia Española], the institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language, ruled in its revised spelling rules //Nuevas normas// that the written accent is only required to remove certain ambiguities, the type of which almost never appear in written Spanish. Thus, in practice, the written accent is not required. However, it should also be noted that not everyone has jumped on the RAE bandwagon, -- including Madrid's daily newspaper //El País// as well as the majority of Spanish grammars that you are likely to encounter.