Pronouns

Abstract

In Modern English the demonstrative pronouns this (these) and that (those) are formally distinguished from the definite article the. In Old English the forms of the se-series could be used in the functions both of demonstrative pronouns and the definite article. Forms of the þes-series could only be used as demonstrative pronouns. Modern English the and the demonstrative that are the only survivors of the OE se-series, the forms with s having been superseded by forms with þ (later spelt th). Gradually, in early Middle English, the definite article became formally distinguished from the demonstrative pronoun, after the semantic difference had been in existence for some time.