Demonstrative Reference: Using “This” and “That” for Clarity in Text

When you read a text or listen to someone speak, you might not notice the small words that guide you from one idea to the next. Words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” work quietly in the background, creating connections that help you follow along. These words are called demonstratives, and they play a crucial role in making writing clear and coherent. Understanding how they work can transform your ability to both read and write effectively.

What is demonstrative reference? 🔗

Demonstrative reference is a linguistic mechanism where specific words point to entities that have been mentioned before or can be identified from context. The four main demonstratives in English are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” Each serves as a pointing device, directing attention to specific ideas, objects, or concepts in your writing.

These words create what linguists call cohesion, which is the quality that makes a text feel connected rather than like a random collection of sentences. When you write “Scientists discovered a new species. This finding changed their understanding,” the word “this” creates a bridge between the two sentences, helping readers follow your train of thought.

What makes demonstratives particularly powerful is their ability to refer to complex ideas and events, not just simple objects. They can encapsulate entire concepts expressed in previous sentences, making communication more efficient.

Understanding proximity and distance 🔗

Demonstratives carry an implicit sense of distance, both physical and conceptual. “This” and “these” refer to things that are close or recent, while “that” and “those” point to things that are more distant or were mentioned earlier in the discourse.

In writing, this distance is often temporal or conceptual rather than physical. When you write “Climate change is accelerating. This development has serious implications,” the word “this” brings the idea close to the reader, making it feel immediate and important. In contrast, “that” can create distance: “The theory was proposed in 1950. That idea has since been disproven.”

The number distinction is equally important. Use “this” and “that” for singular or uncountable nouns, and “these” and “those” for plural items. This basic rule helps maintain grammatical consistency throughout your text.

Demonstrative pronouns versus demonstrative determiners 🔗

The same four words function in two distinct grammatical ways, and understanding this difference is essential for clear writing. Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns and stand alone, while demonstrative determiners modify nouns and must be followed by them.

When they work as pronouns 🔗

As pronouns, demonstratives carry the weight of meaning by themselves. In the sentence “I read three novels last week. These were all mystery stories,” the word “these” stands alone as the subject, referring back to the three novels. The demonstrative replaces the noun entirely, creating a clean reference without repetition.

Demonstrative pronouns often refer to ideas and events expressed in preceding clauses or sentences. Consider this example: “Pericles strengthened democracy by increasing paid public officials. This enabled poorer citizens to participate.” Here, “this” refers to the entire action described in the first sentence, not just a single noun.

When they work as determiners 🔗

Demonstrative determiners always appear with nouns, modifying and specifying them. They never stand alone but introduce noun phrases. In “I enjoyed reading those mystery novels you recommended,” the word “those” modifies “mystery novels,” helping specify which particular novels are being discussed.

The difference becomes clear when you compare: “That was brilliant” uses a pronoun, while “That idea was brilliant” uses a determiner. If the noun stays in the sentence, it’s a determiner; if it disappears, it’s a pronoun.

Creating connections in literature and academic writing 🔗

Writers use demonstratives strategically to guide readers through complex arguments and narratives. In academic writing, demonstratives create reference chains that help readers understand how ideas connect and build upon each other.

When an author writes “The experiment yielded unexpected results. These findings challenged existing theories,” the demonstrative “these” does more than just avoid repetition. It signals that what follows will elaborate on or respond to the information just presented. This creates forward momentum in the text.

Literary authors often use demonstratives to create psychological distance or intimacy. An author might write, “The memories haunted her sleep. These visions of her childhood seemed more real than her present life.” The use of “these” brings the memories closer to both the character and reader, creating emotional immediacy.

In contrast, “that” can signal a shift or differentiation. When an author writes, “She had been a different person then. That version of herself no longer existed,” the demonstrative creates distance from a past self, helping readers understand the character’s transformation.

Practical tips for using demonstratives effectively 🔗

Mastering demonstratives requires attention to clarity and purpose. Here are key strategies for using them well in your writing.

Ensure clear antecedents 🔗

Always make sure your demonstratives have clear, unambiguous antecedents. When you write “The committee reviewed the proposal and the budget. This was approved,” readers cannot tell whether “this” refers to the proposal, the budget, or both. Instead, write “The proposal was approved” or “This proposal was approved.”

If you find yourself starting a sentence with “This is” or “That suggests,” pause and ask whether your referent is obvious. If there’s any doubt, add a noun: change “This is important” to “This finding is important.”

Use proximity strategically 🔗

Bring important ideas close with “this” and “these” to signal immediacy and relevance. Use “that” and “those” to reference ideas you’re moving away from or examining critically. This creates a natural rhythm in your writing that guides readers through your thinking process.

For time-based references, “this” and “these” work well for present or near-future actions: “This semester has been challenging.” For past actions, “that” and “those” create appropriate distance: “That semester taught me valuable lessons.”

Balance with other cohesion devices 🔗

While demonstratives are powerful tools, overusing them creates choppy, overly connected prose. Balance them with other cohesion strategies like repetition of key terms, synonyms, and transitional phrases. Each demonstrative should serve a clear purpose in guiding your reader.

Research shows that effective writers carefully calibrate their use of demonstratives to create cohesion without overwhelming readers. When you draft, review your demonstratives to ensure each one adds value.

Consider your audience 🔗

Be particularly clear when writing for diverse audiences or in technical contexts. What seems obvious to you as the writer may not be clear to readers who don’t share your background knowledge. When in doubt, add specificity rather than relying solely on a demonstrative pronoun.

Common pitfalls to avoid 🔗

Even experienced writers sometimes struggle with demonstrative reference. One frequent problem is ambiguous reference, where multiple possible antecedents exist. “The researchers examined the data and the methodology. This revealed several problems” leaves readers uncertain about what revealed problems.

Another issue is overuse. Repeatedly starting sentences with “This is” or “That means” creates monotonous prose. Vary your sentence structures and introductions while maintaining clear connections between ideas.

Finally, avoid assuming too much shared knowledge. While “the theory” might be perfectly clear to you, your readers might need “Einstein’s theory of relativity” for proper understanding. Context matters, and demonstratives work best when readers can confidently identify what you’re pointing to.

What do you think? How often do you notice demonstratives when you read? Can you identify places in your own writing where clearer demonstrative reference might improve your text’s flow and coherence?

References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8062321/
2. https://minnetesoljournal.org/pay-attention-to-this-demonstratives-in-university-level-academic-lectures/
3. https://www.eslbase.com/grammar/demonstrative-pronoun-or-demonstrative-determiner/
4. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/parts-of-speech/demonstrative-pronouns/
5. https://journals.openedition.org/anglophonia/1574
6. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/grammar-demonstrative-pronouns-determiners/3347315.html
7. http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.jalll.20170304.01.html