Demonstratives

Definition

Demonstratives are words used to indicate specific nouns and show their relationship to the speaker's perspective in terms of distance, time, or context. They can take the form of pronouns or adjectives and often help clarify which person, thing, or idea is being referenced. Understanding demonstratives is essential for mastering clarity in communication, especially when working with reported speech and adjusting tense sequences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Demonstratives can indicate items that are near ('this,' 'these') or far ('that,' 'those') from the speaker's perspective.
2. In reported speech, the use of demonstratives may change depending on whether the reference point is still relevant or has changed after the initial statement.
3. Demonstratives can function as either pronouns (e.g., 'this is my book') or adjectives (e.g., 'this book is mine').
4. The choice of demonstrative can affect the clarity of meaning, especially when relaying information through reported speech where context is crucial.
5. Using correct demonstratives helps maintain the sequence of tenses in sentences, ensuring that both time reference and noun specificity are consistent.

Review Questions

• How do demonstrative pronouns differ from demonstrative adjectives in terms of usage within sentences?
  • Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns and stand alone in sentences, as in 'This is my favorite.' In contrast, demonstrative adjectives modify nouns directly, providing specificity to the noun they precede, such as 'This book is my favorite.' Understanding this distinction is key for clear communication, especially when making references in reported speech.
• Discuss how changing a sentence from direct to reported speech affects the use of demonstratives.
  • When changing from direct to reported speech, the demonstratives often need to be adjusted based on context. For instance, 'He said, 'This is the best book'' may become 'He said that was the best book.' This change reflects a shift in perspective regarding the proximity of the noun being referred to after the original statement has been made. It's essential to make these adjustments to maintain clarity.
• Evaluate the impact of using incorrect demonstratives in a reported speech scenario on overall comprehension.
  • Using incorrect demonstratives in reported speech can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the message being conveyed. For example, if someone reports 'She said that these were her shoes' instead of 'those,' it could imply a different set of shoes that may not be relevant to the listener. This misunderstanding could distort the meaning and create ambiguity about what was actually discussed, highlighting the importance of accurate demonstrative usage in effective communication.

Related terms

Pronouns:

Words that replace nouns to avoid repetition and can indicate specific references, including demonstrative pronouns like 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those.'

Adjectives:

Words that modify nouns and can describe qualities or attributes, including demonstrative adjectives that specify which noun is being referred to.

Tense: The grammatical category that locates a situation in time, essential for forming accurate sentences when reporting speech and using demonstratives.