Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns should be used to refer to objects or people that have already been mentioned. When demonstrative pronouns are used, these common words in two consecutive phrases do not need to be repeated. These pronouns should always agree in gender and number with the nouns they replace.

The table below presents demonstrative pronouns in different forms:

Demonstrative pronouns are followed by ci, là, de or qui. Their translation in English will vary in each one of the cases below:

-          ci / là should be used to represent distance. (this one, that one, these ones, that ones)

Example:

Ce stylo est à moi. Celui-là est à toi.

This pen is mine. That one is yours.

Ces voitures sont italiennes. Celles-là sont françaises.

These cars are Italian. Those ones are French.

-          de should be used to demonstrate possession.

Example:

Ma voiture est française. Celle de mon père est Anglaise.

My car is French. My father’s is English.

Mon chocolat est au lait. Celui de Marie est blanc.

My chocolate is milky. Marie’s chocolate is white.

-          qui  (the one who / the one that)

Example:

Qui est la femme de Jean?

C’est celle qui est blonde.

Who is Jean’s wife?

It is the one that is blonde.