Humanities › History & Culture How to Decline Latin Demonstrative Pronouns: Hic, Ille, Iste, Is Demonstratives point out a person or thing for special attention Share Flipboard Email Print Coyau / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons History & Culture Ancient History and Culture Ancient Languages Figures & Events Greece Egypt Asia Rome Mythology & Religion American History African American History African History Asian History European History Genealogy Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History The 20th Century Women's History View More By N.S. Gill N.S. Gill Ancient History and Latin Expert M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota B.A., Latin, University of Minnesota N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 21, 2020 If you are learning Latin, whether for your work in biology and medicine, science or law or as a classicist, or if you are studying for your SAT or ACT, this table of demonstrative pronouns will prove to be a useful resource. Latin Pronouns As in almost every language, pronouns are key to the language, standing in conveniently for nouns, proper nouns, and noun phrases. There are seven classes of pronouns but three that stand out as the main categories of pronouns in Latin: personal pronouns ("I, you [singular], he, she, it, we, you [plural] and they"), demonstrative pronouns ("this, that, these, those") and relative pronouns ("who, which"). Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives Demonstratives as a whole point out or designate a person or thing for special attention. Demonstrative pronouns, like nouns, can stand alone, but demonstrative adjectives can't. The forms are the same for both demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Latin, but a demonstrative adjective needs a noun to modify and the two are usually in close proximity. Hic means "this" when used as a demonstrative pronoun; ille and iste mean "that." Hic, as a demonstrative adjective still means "this;" ille and iste still mean "that." Is is a fourth, weaker demonstrative, known as "determinative." As with most rules of grammar, there can be exceptions. Declensions of Demonstratives Declining nouns, pronouns and adjectives is a lot like verb conjugation. We identify the root of the word and add endings for agreement. For nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, the endings indicate the grammatical gender, case, and number of the noun. Gender can be masculine, feminine or neuter.Case includes nominative (subject of the verb), genitive (possessive or to be "of" something), dative (to be "to" or "for" something, accusative (the object of the verb) or ablative (to be "by," "with" or "from" something). Number indicates whether the noun is singular or plural. You'll see all three in the tables below of demonstrative pronouns. How to Remember Declensions Declensions are absolutely essential. You have to know them in order to understand Latin. What's a good way to remember pronoun declensions? Try repeating them over and over to make the easy to remember. However, trying to memorize them all at once can be daunting. First look for patterns, which can add logic to the process and make remembering easier. Demonstrative Pronouns in Sentences Hec est concordia. > This is the agreement.Confirmamus hac carta hec maneria domino. > We confirm by this charter these manors to the lord.Lego hoc testamento has predictas septem acras terre. > I bequeath by this will these aforesaid seven acres of land.Hi sunt plegii Edwardi Basset. > These are the pledges of Edward Basset. Declensions of Demonstrative Pronouns This - Hic Haec Hoc Sing. Pl. Nom. hic haec hoc hi hae haec Gen. huius huius huius horum harum horum Dat. huic huic huic his his his Acc. hunc hanc hoc hos has haec Abl. hoc hac hoc his his his That - Ille Illa Illud Sing. Pl. Nom. ille illa illud illi illae illa Gen. illius illius illius illorum illarum illorum Dat. illi illi illi illis illis illis Acc. illum illam illud illos illas illa Abl. illo illa illo illis illis illis That (contemptuously) Iste Ista Istud Sing. Pl. Nom. iste ista istud isti istae ista Gen. istius istius istius istorum istarum istorum Dat. isti isti isti istis istis istis Acc. istum istam istud istos istas ista Abl. isto ista isto istis istis istis This, that (weak), he, she, it Is Ea Id Sing. Pl. Nom. is ea id ei(ii) eae ea Gen. eius eius eius eorum earum eorum Dat. ei ei ei eis eis eis Acc. eum eam id eos eas ea Abl. eo ea eo eis eis eis Sources Moreland, Floyd L., and Fleischer, Rita M. "Latin: An Intensive Course." Berkeley: University of California Press, 1977.Traupman, John C. "The Bantam New College Latin & English Dictionary." Third Edition. New York: Bantam Dell, 2007. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Gill, N.S. "How to Decline Latin Demonstrative Pronouns: Hic, Ille, Iste, Is." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/latin-demonstrative-pronouns-120052. Gill, N.S. (2020, August 26). How to Decline Latin Demonstrative Pronouns: Hic, Ille, Iste, Is. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-demonstrative-pronouns-120052 Gill, N.S. "How to Decline Latin Demonstrative Pronouns: Hic, Ille, Iste, Is." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-demonstrative-pronouns-120052 (accessed June 2, 2023). copy citation By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies