demonstrative pronouns  



Gramática
You may recall that a demonstrative adjective accompanies
a noun.

Examples:
Me gusta este perro. - I like this dog.
Prefiero estas computadoras. - I prefer these computers.
Voy a comprar ese coche. - I'm going to buy that car.

A demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun.
Demostrative pronouns are accented except for the neutral
demonstrative pronouns (esto, eso, aquello).

Mira qué perros tan bonitos. Me gusta éste.
Look at the beautiful dogs. I like this one.

¡Hay muchas computadoras! Prefiero éstas.
There are many computers! I prefer these.

Es difícil elegir entre los dos carros, pero voy a comprar ése.
It is difficult to decide between the two cars, but I'm going to buy that one.

Qué casas tan bonitas. Me gustan aquéllas.
What beautiful houses. I like those.

Note: pay attention to gender an number.

Entre todos los suéteres, prefiero éste. (masculine, singular)
Between all the sweaters, I prefer this one.

Entre todos los suéteres, prefiero éstos. (masculine, plural)
Between all the sweaters, I prefer these.

Entre todas las blusas, prefiero ésta. (feminine, singular)
Between all the blouses, I prefer this one.

Entre todas las blusas, prefiero éstas. (feminine, plural)
Between all the blouses, I prefer these.

The following tables will help you decide which
demonstrative pronoun you will need to use.

Close to the speaker

singular plural
Masculine éste (this one) éstos (these)
Feminine ésta (this one) éstas (these)

Away from the speaker

singular plural
Masculine ése (that one) ésos (those)
Feminine ésa (that one) ésas (those)

Far from the speaker

singular plural
Masculine aquél (that one over there) aquéllos (those over there)
Feminine aquélla (that one over there) aquéllas (those over there)

Sentences close to the speaker
Hay muchos libros, pero éste es el mejor.
There are many books, but this one is the best.

De todos los restaurantes de la ciudad, éste es el más caro.
Of all the restaurants in the city, this one is the most expensive.

Hay dos escuelas, ésta es la mejor.
There are two schools, this one is the best.

Aqui las casas son muy grandes, pero éstas dos son las más bonitas.
Here houses are very big, but these two are the prettiest.

En el vecindario hay muchos árboles, éstos son los mas altos.
There are may trees in the neighborhood, these are the tallest.

Estos perros son míos, éste es el tuyo.
Those dogs are mine, this one is yours.

Llegó un paquete para Juan y esto para tí.
A package arrived for Juan and this for you.

Sentences away from the speaker
De todos mis amigos, ése es el mejor.
Of all my friends, that one is the best.

¿Qué perro te mordió? ése que ladró.
What dog did bite you? that one that barked.

¿Cuál casa es la tuya? ésa azul.
Which one is your house? that blue one?

Hay muchos carros rojos, ésos son los míos.
There are may red cars, those ones are mine.

Ése es el que más me gusta.
That one is the one I like best.

Eso es lo que menos me gusta.
That one is what I like least.

Las flores blancas son bonitas, pero ésas rojas son las que más me gustan.
The white flowers are pretty, but I like those red ones the most.

¿Cuáles son tus gatos? Ésos negros.
Which cats are yours? Those black ones.

Sentences far from the speaker
No conozco a esta mujer, pero aquélla es mi hermana.
I don't know this woman, that one over there is my sister.

Estos muchachos son mis hermanos, aquéllos son mis primos.
These guys are my brothers; those over there are my cousins.

Estas muchachas son mis hermanas, aquéllas son mis amigas.
These girls are my sisters; those over there are my girlfriends.

Ese carro es azul, aquél es rojo.
That car is blue, that one over there is red.

Estas casas son pequeñas, aquélla es grande.
These houses are small, that one over there is big.

¡Hay muchas flores bonitas! Aquéllas son las que me gustan.
There are many beautiful flowers. Those over there are roses.

Notes for the Tutor

  • The demonstrative pronoun is accented to distinguish from the demonstrative adjective.The neuter demonstrative pronoun(esto, eso, aquello) is not accented because there is not an equivalent adjective with which to confuse it.
  • The student with the help of the tutor should describe his or her activities using demonstrative pronouns. Make sure the student pronounces the pronouns correctly taking into account the accent.
  • Suggested Homework: The student should make 5 or more sentences with the demonstrative pronouns using the preterite verb tense as well.

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