How to Use Demonstrative Adjectives in English
Demonstrative adjectives help us point to specific things when we speak or write. They answer the question "Which one?" and make our meaning clearer by showing exactly which person, place, or thing we're talking about.
Why Demonstrative Adjectives Matter
When we communicate, we often need to indicate specific items from a group or show where things are in relation to us. Demonstrative adjectives solve this problem by allowing us to point to particular nouns and show their location or distance from the speaker.
The Four Demonstrative Adjectives
There are four main demonstrative adjectives in English:
| Demonstrative Adjective | Number | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| this | singular | near |
| that | singular | far |
| these | plural | near |
| those | plural | far |
Important Rule
Demonstrative adjectives always come before the noun they modify and tell us two important things: number (singular or plural) and proximity (near or far).
Using Demonstrative Adjectives Correctly
Demonstrative adjectives must always be followed by a noun:
- This book belongs to me. (singular, near)
- That house is where I grew up. (singular, far)
- These cookies are delicious. (plural, near)
- Those mountains look beautiful. (plural, far)
Remember
If there's no noun following these words, they become demonstrative pronouns instead of adjectives.
Placement in Sentences
Demonstrative adjectives can appear in different positions in a sentence, but they must always come before the noun they modify:
At the beginning of a sentence
- This computer runs faster than my old one.
- Those flowers need more water.
In the middle of a sentence
- I think these shoes would look good with your outfit.
- She said that restaurant serves the best pasta.
At the end of a sentence
- The best gift I received was this watch.
- We should avoid those roads.
When Other Adjectives Are Present
When other adjectives also describe the same noun, the demonstrative adjective still comes first, followed by the other adjectives, and then the noun:
- This old book belongs to my grandfather.
- Those tall trees provide good shade.
- I love these colorful paintings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using singular demonstratives with plural nouns
- Incorrect: This books are interesting.
- Correct: These books are interesting.
Using plural demonstratives with singular nouns
- Incorrect: Those car is expensive.
- Correct: That car is expensive.
Practical Examples
Real-life situations where demonstrative adjectives are useful:
- Shopping: I'll take this red shirt and those blue pants.
- Giving directions: That building on the corner is the bank.
- In the classroom: Please open these textbooks to page 15.
- At a restaurant: I'd like to order this pasta dish from the menu.
Key Point
The choice between "this/these" and "that/those" depends on the physical or psychological distance between the speaker and the object.