An independent demonstrative behaves the same as a dependent demonstrative. The only difference is that we leave out the antecedent:
Dependent demonstrative | Independent demonstrative
Have you seen that movie? | Have you seen that?
This meal is very tasty. | This is very tasty.
These kittens are so cute. | These are so cute.
Those shoes were very expensive. | Those were very expensive.
We can simply repeat the table of the previous page and remove the antecedents:
Independent demonstrative pronouns
English | Dutch
this
this ~~house~~ is big | dit:: singular het-nouns
dit ~~huis~~ is groot
this
this ~~bike~~ is yellow | deze:: singular de-nouns
deze ~~fiets~~ is geel
these
these ~~houses~~ are big
these ~~bikes~~ are yellow | deze:: plural nouns
deze ~~huizen~~ zijn groot
deze ~~fietsen~~ zijn geel
that
that ~~house~~ is big | dat:: singular het-nouns
dat ~~huis~~ is groot
that
that ~~bike~~ is yellow | die:: singular de-nouns
die ~~fiets~~ is geel
those
those ~~houses~~ are big
those ~~bikes~~ are yellow | die:: plural nouns
die ~~huizen~~ zijn groot
die ~~fietsen~~ zijn geel
When an independent demonstrative pronoun is preceded by a preposition, it turns into a [pronominal adverb](#/lesson/Pronouns.Ad01). On one of the next pages, you can see how this is achieved.
Examples
_Deze_ (singular):
Ik heb deze film al gezien. | I have already seen this movie.
Ik heb deze al gezien. | I have already seen this (one).
_Deze_ (plural):
Deze katjes zijn zo schattig. | These kittens are so cute.
Deze zijn zo schattig. | These are so cute.
_Dit_ (always singular):
Dit verhaal is waargebeurd. | This story really happened.
Dit is waargebeurd. | This really happened.
_Dat_ (always singular):
Dat standbeeld staat er al 300 jaar. | That statue has already been there for 300 years.
Dat staat er al 300 jaar. | That has already been there for 300 years.
_Die_ (singular):
Heb je die film gezien? | Have you seen that movie?
Heb je die gezien? | Have you seen that (one)?
_Die_ (plural):
Die katjes zijn nog schattiger. | Those kittens are even cuter.
Die zijn nog schattiger. | Those are even cuter.
Independent demonstratives that are linked to nouns
When an independent demonstrative pronoun is linked to a noun by a [link verb](#/lesson/WordOrder.32), something strange happens: We are only allowed to use 'dit' and 'dat' (which we normally use for 'het'-nouns), even if the antecedent is a 'de'-noun.
when an independent demonstrative pronoun
is linked to a noun with a link verb,
we always use singular 'dit' or 'dat'
_Deze_ (singular) turning into _dit_
| This city is the capital of Europe.
_Deze_ (plural) turning into _dit_
Deze mensen zijn onze buren. | These people are our neighbours.
Dit zijn onze buren.
Not: _Deze_ zijn onze buren. | These are our neighbours.
_Die_ (singular) turning into _dat_
Die vrouw is onze burgemeester. | That woman is our mayor.
Dat is onze burgemeester.
Not: _Die_ is onze burgemeester. | That is our mayor.
_Die_ (plular) turning into _dat_
Die kinderen worden topatleten. | Those children will become top athletes.
Dat worden topatleten.
Not: _Die_ worden topatleten. | Those (they) will become top athletes.