Demonstrative Adjectives: Have you ever said, “ This toy is my favorite! ” or “ Those cookies look yummy! ”? If so, you’ve already used demonstrative adjectives without even knowing it! These are special words that help us point to the specific things we’re talking about, making our sentences clearer and more engaging.
Demonstrative adjectives include this , that , these , and those , and they tell us whether an item is close to or far from the speaker and whether it’s singular or plural.
Demonstrative Pronouns
What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives, also called demonstrative determiners, are words that describe and modify nouns by specifying their relative position or distance. They include:
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This (singular, near)
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That (singular, far)
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These (plural, near)
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Those (plural, far)
They always come before a noun and help indicate whether the noun is near or far from the speaker in physical distance, time, or abstract sense.
Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives in Sentences:
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This book is very interesting. (Near the speaker)
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That building is under construction. (Far from the speaker)
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These flowers smell amazing. (Near and plural)
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Those mountains look beautiful. (Far and plural)
How are Demonstrative Adjectives used in Sentences?
Demonstrative adjectives are special words that come right before a noun to tell us which specific item is being talked about. They help us understand whether the noun is close or far from the speaker and if it is one thing or many.
These adjectives act as markers or pointers in sentences. By using them, we can make our speech and writing clearer and more precise. They show if we are referring to something that is near or far from us, and whether we are talking about one thing or multiple things.
Adjectives
Demonstrative Adjectives Examples
Here is a list of 10 examples that illustrate the role of a demonstrative adjective in a sentence:
- This pencil writes smoothly.
- That building looks impressive from here.
- These puzzles are challenging and fun.
- Those kids play soccer every afternoon.
- This jacket is perfect for the winter.
- That dog barked all night long.
- These pictures remind me of our last vacation.
- Those chairs need to be moved to the other room.
- This recipe is easy to follow and delicious.
- That book on the shelf is a bestseller.
Types of Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives are divided into two main categories based on the number of items they describe: singular and plural . Each type helps point out specific nouns and show their relationship to the speaker in terms of distance.
1. Singular Demonstrative Adjectives
These are used when referring to one item, object, or noun. The singular demonstrative adjectives are: This : Used to refer to a singular noun that is close to the speaker. It implies that the object is within reach or nearby. Example : This book is mine. (The book is near the speaker.) That : Used to refer to a singular noun that is farther away from the speaker. It indicates that the object is not close. Example : That house on the hill is old. (The house is farther from the speaker.)
2. Plural Demonstrative Adjectives
These are used when referring to more than one item or object. The plural demonstrative adjectives include: These : Used to refer to multiple items that are close to the speaker. It suggests that the objects are within reach or nearby. Example : These flowers smell lovely. (The flowers are near the speaker.) Those : Used to refer to multiple items that are farther away from the speaker. It shows that the objects are not close. Example : Those birds are flying south. (The birds are farther from the speaker.)
Demonstrative Adjectives Practice Questions
Let's practice using this, that, these, and those to make your sentences fun and clear!
- Fill in the blank: ___ cat is sleeping on the couch. (The cat is close to you.)
- Choose the correct word: ___ stars look amazing at night. (The stars are far away.)
- Fill in the blank: ___ crayons are broken. (The crayons are in your hand.)
- Which word fits best? ___ bicycle in the garage needs fixing. (The bicycle is far from you.)
- Fill in the blank: ___ cupcakes smell so good! (The cupcakes are on the table next to you.)
- Choose the correct word: ___ birds are chirping in the tree. (The birds are far away.)
- Fill in the blank: I want to play with ___ toys. (The toys are right in front of you.)
- Which word fits best? ___ shoes belong to my sister. (The shoes are across the room.)
- Fill in the blank: ___ puzzles are too hard for me. (The puzzles are nearby.)
- Choose the right word: ___ butterfly flew past me just now. (The butterfly was close to you.)
Answers:
- This
- Those
- These
- That
- These
- Those
- These
- Those
- These
- This
English Grammar
Difference Between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns
Although demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns use the same words (this, that, these, those), they have different functions in a sentence.
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Demonstrative Adjectives
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Demonstrative Pronouns
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Modify a noun
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Replace a noun
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Always come before a noun
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Stand alone in the sentence
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Example: This book is great.
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Example: This is great.
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Example: Those shoes are stylish.
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Example: Those are stylish.
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