Being able to effectively use a demonstrative adjective in your spoken and written English is an excellent way to make your sentences more clear and descriptive. There are various different demonstrative adjectives in English which can be used to talk about the position of the noun in either space or time.
In this section, we will be learning how to use the demonstrative adjective as well as looking at how they work within a sentence.
Demonstrative Adjectives
What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?
How to use demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in English? When a noun or nouns need to be identified, especially in a spatial or positional context, a demonstrative adjective is used.
In English grammar, this, that, these, and those are demonstrative adjectives.
For example:
- This train conveys passengers to London.
- I think that book is mine.
- These cakes are very quick and easy to make.
- Let me give you a hand with those bags.
This & That
This and that are used with singular nouns.
For example:
- this apple
- that table
This is used with someone or something near the speaker.
For example:
- This car is cheap.
That is used with someone or something far from the speaker.
For example:
- That man irritates me!
These & Those
These and those are used with plural nouns.
For example:
- These boys
- Those books
These to indicate someone or something near the speaker.
For example:
- These shoes need to be repaired.
Those to indicate someone or something far from the speaker.
For example:
- Do you need any help with those boxes?
Demonstrative Adjectives vs. Demonstrative Pronouns
In English grammar, the demonstrative pronouns are also this, that, these, and those. However, they do not modify nouns or pronouns as demonstrative adjectives.
For example:
- This is a course in mechanics.
- That‘s a nice dress.
- These are great shoes for muddy weather.
- I’m not joking. Those were his actual words.
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