Demonstrative Pronoun Gender Matching.

Question

A few days back I asked this question, but it became a little lost amongst other issues, so Heidi suggested I post a more focused question for my benefit and the benefit of others, so here it is:

When a subject noun is included in a sentence, any demonstrative adjective (esa, ese, esta etc.) must match gender with that noun, regardless of what that noun is referring to:

Este libro es prueba.

But what happens when the demonstrative adjective and noun are replaced by a demonstrative pronoun? Does the pronoun take the gender of the noun it is replacing, or the noun it is referring to?

Este [libro] es prueba, or, Esta [libro] es prueba.

Or is the choice of pronoun optional, the former placing emphasis on the replaced noun, the latter placing emphasis on the noun being referred to?

Similarly, would shifting the importance to the noun being referred to determine which pronoun is used?

Esta [libro] es la prueba.

Interesting question, I know I have my thoughts, but I am more interested in what native speakers say. I am glad you are contrasting es prueba vs. la prueba, because that does make a difference for me. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 3, 2017

Thanks Bosque. It was your comment in my last question that prompted me to do that. Cheers. - jellonz, Aug 3, 2017

Answer 1

Este libro es la prueba is the only way you can say this.

However, you can say Esta es la prueba.

You could also say Esto es la pueba. In this case esto means this thing and so it is not a modifier.

But not "Este es la prueba" Julian? And would your "esto" vs "esta" examples carry the same emphases I mentioned above? Gracias. - jellonz, Aug 3, 2017

wholly agree - polenta1, Aug 3, 2017

Answer 2

Julian's answer is spot on, as usual.

But not "Este es la prueba" Julian? And would your "esto" vs "esta" examples carry the same emphases I mentioned above? Gracias. - jellonz

No, este is not possible.

You can use este at times like this.

I have two books, this one is blue, that one is yellow.

tengo dos libros , este es azúl, aquél es verde.

Gracias Heidi. I might add some more info to the original question. Can you drop the definite article: "Esta es prueba"? Meaning "T H I S is proof" as opposed to "This is T H E P R O O F"? Or is it needed? - jellonz, Aug 3, 2017

Answer 3

Excellent question Jellonz. I'm very similar to you here, I'm fine if it is a simple sentence and I understand what Julian is saying in his answer. However, I have problems when it gets a little less straightforward.

Eg. Este libro nos da todas las respuestas. 'This' es la prueba .....

Ok, do we replace 'this' with 'este' to refer to the book, 'estas son' to refer to the answers given in the book, or 'esto' to refer to nothing in particular?

Thanks in advance for the help guys!

That's exactly it Billy. I think sometimes our precise problems get lost in translation, quite possibly because they are not problematic to native Spanish speakers :) Thanks for reinforcing the question. - jellonz, Aug 3, 2017

I often re-word my sentences to avoid using dem prns, but come on, let's nail it! :) - billygoat, Aug 3, 2017

I would say : Esta es la prueba and only very unusually Esto es la prueba. - polenta1, Aug 3, 2017

If you wanted to point out the answers I would say Estas últimas son la prueba................... - polenta1, Aug 3, 2017

thank you Polenta. Put that in a post then i can give you a vote! :) - billygoat, Aug 3, 2017