Adjectives are the backbone of descriptive language, helping us color our sentences with details and distinctions. Among the many types of adjectives, demonstrative adjectives stand out for their ability to point out specific objects, places, or people. Imagine trying to tell someone about a book you’re reading without being able to say “this book” or “that book.” It would be confusing, right? Demonstrative adjectives allow us to be clear and precise in our communication, making them an essential part of everyday language.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of demonstrative adjectives. We’ll explore what they are, how to use them effectively, common mistakes to avoid, and even provide some exercises to help you master them. Whether you’re a language learner or just brushing up on your grammar, this guide will offer valuable insights into the proper use of demonstrative adjectives.
Definition
Demonstrative adjectives are words that modify nouns by indicating which specific ones you are referring to. They act like pointing fingers in language, showing whether something is near or far, singular or plural. The four main demonstrative adjectives in English are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”
Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives
“This”: Refers to a single noun that is close to the speaker. Example: “This pen is mine.”
“That”: Refers to a single noun that is far from the speaker. Example: “That car is fast.”
“These”: Refers to multiple nouns that are close to the speaker. Example: “These cookies are delicious.”
“Those”: Refers to multiple nouns that are far from the speaker. Example: “Those mountains are breathtaking.”
Function in a Sentence
Demonstrative adjectives serve the crucial function of specifying which nouns we are talking about. They add clarity by showing the reader or listener the exact object or person being referred to. For instance, “This cat” specifies a particular cat near the speaker, distinguishing it from any other cat.
It’s important to distinguish demonstrative adjectives from demonstrative pronouns. While both point to specific items, demonstrative pronouns stand alone, replacing the noun entirely (e.g., “This is my favorite”), whereas demonstrative adjectives always accompany a noun (e.g., “This book is my favorite”).
Visual Representation
To better understand the relationship between proximity and number for each demonstrative adjective, consider the following table:
| Demonstrative Adjective | Proximity | Number | Example |
| This | Near | Singular | This book is heavy. |
| That | Far | Singular | That tree is tall. |
| These | Near | Plural | These apples are sweet. |
| Those | Far | Plural | Those clouds look dark. |
Types of Demonstrative Adjectives
Singular Demonstrative Adjectives
“This”
“This” is used when referring to a single item that is close to the speaker, either physically or metaphorically. It can refer to something within arm’s reach or something that is happening in the present moment.
Example: “This chair is very comfortable.”
Explanation: The chair is likely near the speaker, making “this” the appropriate choice.
“That”
“That” is used for a single item that is farther away from the speaker. It might be something out of reach, something that’s happening elsewhere, or even something that occurred in the past.
Example: “That concert was amazing.”
Explanation: The concert is not happening at the moment, so “that” is used to refer to it.
Plural Demonstrative Adjectives
“These”
“These” is used for multiple items that are close to the speaker. It could refer to things within the speaker’s immediate vicinity.
Example: “These books are due back at the library.”
Explanation: The books are near the speaker, justifying the use of “these.”
“Those”
“Those” is used for multiple items that are farther away from the speaker. It’s often used to talk about things in the distance or from a different time or place.
Example: “Those people over there seem familiar.”
Explanation: The people are at a distance, making “those” the correct demonstrative adjective.
Contextual Usage
The context in which a demonstrative adjective is used can affect the choice between “this/these” and “that/those.” For example:
Near in Time: “This morning” refers to the current morning, while “That morning” might refer to a morning in the past.
Near in Space: “This building” suggests the speaker is close to the building, whereas “That building” implies it’s farther away.
Rules and Guidelines for Using Demonstrative Adjectives
Proximity
One of the key rules for using demonstrative adjectives is proximity:
“This” and “These”: Use when the noun is close to the speaker.
Example: “This cake is delicious.”
“That” and “Those”: Use when the noun is farther from the speaker.
Example: “That cake looks delicious.”
Number Agreement
Demonstrative adjectives must agree in number with the noun they modify:
Singular Nouns: Pair with “this” or “that.”
Incorrect: “These book is interesting.”
Correct: “This book is interesting.”
Plural Nouns: Pair with “these” or “those.”
Incorrect: “That apples are fresh.”
Correct: “Those apples are fresh.”
Position in a Sentence
Demonstrative adjectives typically come before the noun they modify:
Example: “This movie is a classic.”
Example: “Those ideas are innovative.”
Special Cases
In some cases, demonstrative adjectives are used in more abstract contexts, such as when referring to ideas or emotions:
Example: “This idea might work” (the idea is conceptually close or relevant).
Example: “That feeling was unforgettable” (the feeling is in the past or distant).
Common Mistakes with Demonstrative Adjectives
Confusing Demonstrative Adjectives with Demonstrative Pronouns
It’s easy to mix up demonstrative adjectives with demonstrative pronouns. The key difference is that demonstrative pronouns stand alone, while demonstrative adjectives modify a noun:
Demonstrative Pronoun: “This is a great book.”
Demonstrative Adjective: “This book is great.”
Incorrect Number Agreement
Another common mistake is mismatching the demonstrative adjective with the noun’s number:
Incorrect: “These dog is barking.”
Correct: “This dog is barking.”
Incorrect: “That shoes are mine.”
Correct: “Those shoes are mine.”
Misplacement in Sentences
Placing the demonstrative adjective incorrectly in a sentence can lead to confusion:
Incorrect: “I like this in movies scene.”
Correct: “I like this scene in movies.”
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, here are some exercises:
- Fill-in-the-Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct demonstrative adjective:
- “______ house is very old.” (That/This)
- “______ books belong to Sarah.” (These/Those)
- “______ car over there is new.” (That/This)
- “______ flowers smell wonderful.” (These/Those)
- Sentence Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
- “Those cake is delicious.”
- “This shoes are too tight.”
- “That cats are very playful.”
- Contextual Usage Scenarios
Choose the correct demonstrative adjective based on the context:
- “______ picture on the wall is beautiful.” (This/That)
- “I remember ______ day like it was yesterday.” (These/Those)
- “______ cookies on the plate are for you.” (This/These)
Conclusion
Demonstrative adjectives are small words with a big impact. They allow us to be precise and clear in our communication, ensuring that our listeners or readers understand exactly what we’re talking about. By mastering the use of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” you can make your speech and writing more effective and engaging.
Remember, the key to using demonstrative adjectives correctly is understanding their function and following the simple rules of proximity and number agreement. Practice regularly, and you’ll soon find yourself using them with confidence.
Additional Resources
For those eager to practice more, here are some useful resources:
- Links to Online Exercises
- Grammar Exercises on Demonstrative Adjectives
- Interactive Quizzes on Demonstrative Adjectives
- Suggested Reading
- “English Grammar in Use” by Raymond Murphy – A great resource for mastering grammar, including demonstrative adjectives.
- “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation” by Jane Straus – An excellent guide for understanding the nuances of English grammar.
- Online Grammar Tools
- Grammarly: An online grammar checker that can help you spot and correct errors related to demonstrative adjectives.
- Hemingway Editor: A tool that helps make your writing clearer and more concise, ensuring proper use of adjectives.
This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to understand and use demonstrative adjectives effectively. With practice and application, you’ll be able to incorporate these powerful modifiers into your language with ease.