The Minor Parts of Speechsingular plural
nearer this these
farther that those
table 3: demonstrative pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns have the effect of “pointing out” entities, often for
the purpose of contrast or selection.
(5) a. Press this button, not that one.
b. I’ll take one of these and one of those.
As the examples suggest, speakers may accompany demonstratives with point-
ing gestures. These forms are sometimes called deictics, after a Greek word
meaning “to point.” In written prose, of course, gestures are not available, so
writers must take care to make the referents of the pronouns clear:
(6) Harry told Mabel that Maude had written the letter. This is typical.What is typical? Harry’s telling Mabel? Harry’s telling anyone? Maude’s
writing letters?
Like the genitive personal pronouns, demonstratives may function as
heads or as modifiers, but with no change in form.
(7) a. That is a serious mistake. (Head)
b. That mistake is serious. (Modifier)
Reflexive and intensive pronouns
Reflexive and intensive pronouns have the same forms; they begin with a
personal pronoun, generally in the genitive case, and end in the morphemes
{-self} or {-selves}, for singular and plural, respectively. The forms are listed in
Table 4.
person singular plural
First myself ourselves
Second yourself yourselves
Third himself themselves
herself
itself
table 4: reflexive/intensive pronouns