Demonstrative Pronouns

A demonstrative adjective accompanies a noun and a demonstrative pronoun stands for a noun.

The Demonstrative Adjectives are:

The difference between Ese and Aquel is not strictly observed. However, in cases like "this box," "that table," "that cupboard yonder," use ese for the nearer of the two removed from the speaker: "Esta caja," "esa mesa," "aquel armario."

The Demonstrative Pronouns are the same as the above, with the addition of--

Neuter form Esto, eso, aquello[2] (this, that). This has no plural and is used--

1. In reference to a whole sentence, as:

• El mercado del algodón está muy abatido; esto me desanima: The cottonmarket is very flat; this disconcerts me.

2. In reference to something pointed at, without referring to what the
thing is[3], as:

• ¿Qué es eso? What is that? (thing there, whatever it may be.)
• Eso es ridículo. That (what you just said) is ridiculous.

Este, ese, aquel, etc., are accented when a stress is placed on them; Éste is also used for "the latter" and Aquél for "the former."[4]

Instead of ese, etc., aquel, etc., before que and de, the
definite article is generally used, as:

• El aumento de precio de hoy y el[5] que tuvimos ayer: The increase in price to-day and that we had yesterday.
• La remesa anterior y la que haremos hoy: The previous shipment and that we are sending to-day.
• El flete del aceite y el de los vinos: The freight on oil, and that on wine.
• Mis documentos y los de mi jefe: My documents and those of my chief (employer).
• Lo que (instead of "aquello que") escribo es la pura verdad: That which (what) I write is the honest truth.

• ¿Qué libro es ese? Es el en que escribimos ayer: What book is that? It is that in which we wrote yesterday.
• ¿Qué carta quiere V.? La á que me referí ayer: What letter do you want? That to which I referred yesterday.
• ¿Qué plumas son estas? Son las con que yo escribía: What pens are these? They are those with which I wrote.

Esta translates the commercial phrase, "our place," "our market."

Esa translates the commercial phrase, "your place," "your market."

As:

• El mercado en esta está muy flojo: The market here is very slack.
• Nos dicen los armadores que el cargamento llegará á esa el 15 del mes entrante: The shipowners inform us that the cargo will reach your town on the 15th prox.