Demonstrative Adjective: Types, Examples, Usage, & Exercises

Demonstrative adjective plays a crucial role in describing specific nouns. These handy linguistic tools help us bring clarity and precision to our communication. In this article, we will discover demonstrative adjectives along with their various types, and usage.

The post includes:

• Meaning
• Types
• Examples in Sentences
• Demonstrative Adjectives vs. Demonstrative Pronouns
• Usage
• Exercises and Practice Questions

What is a Demonstrative Adjective?

A demonstrative adjective is a type of word that we use to point out or identify a specific noun or thing. It helps us indicate whether the noun is near or far in relation to the speaker. In other words, it helps us show the distance between the speaker and the noun.

There are four demonstrative adjectives in English: “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

• “This” is used when we point to something that is close to us.
• “That” is used when we point to something that is farther away from us.
• “These” is the plural form of “this” and is used for multiple things that are close to us.
• “Those” is the plural form of “that” and is used for multiple things that are farther away from us.

Here are a few examples to help you understand better:

• “This book is interesting.” (referring to a book that is close to the speaker)
• “That house is beautiful.” (referring to a house that is farther away from the speaker)
• “These cookies are delicious.” (referring to multiple cookies that are close to the speaker)
• “Those birds are singing.” (referring to multiple birds that are farther away from the speaker)

Types of Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives can be categorized into two types based on their proximity to the speaker and the listener:

1. Near Demonstrative Adjectives:

• “This”: It is used to point out a singular noun that is close to the speaker.
• “These”: It is used to point out plural nouns that are close to the speaker.

Example:

• This car is fast. (referring to a car nearby)
• These books are heavy. (referring to books close to the speaker)

2. Far Demonstrative Adjectives:

• “That”: It is used to point out a singular noun that is far from the speaker.
• “Those”: It is used to point out plural nouns that are far from the speaker.

Example:

• That mountain is huge. (referring to a mountain in the distance)
• Those birds are colorful. (referring to birds far away)

Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives in Sentences

Here are some examples of demonstrative adjectives used in sentences, along with various ways they can be applied:

1. Near Demonstrative Adjectives:

• This pencil is sharp. (referring to a specific pencil close to the speaker)
• These cookies are delicious. (referring to some cookies nearby)
• Can you pass me that book? (referring to a book a little farther away from the speaker)
• I love these flowers. (referring to flowers close to the speaker)

2. Far Demonstrative Adjectives:

• Look at that bird in the sky! (referring to a bird far from the speaker)
• Those shoes are trendy. (referring to some shoes that are farther away)
• I want to buy that car. (referring to a car at a distance)
• Those buildings are impressive. (referring to buildings far away)

3. Demonstrative Adjectives in Comparison:

• This movie is better than that one. (comparing two movies, one close and one far)
• These cookies taste sweeter than those. (comparing cookies near and far)
• I prefer this dress to that dress. (comparing two dresses, one close and one far)
• Those flowers are more beautiful than these. (comparing flowers far and close)

4. Demonstrative Adjectives in Questions:

• Which of these options do you like? (asking about options close to the speaker)
• Can you see that star up there? (asking about a star far from the speaker)
• Who wants to try these chocolates? (offering chocolates close to the speaker)
• Are those your keys on the table? (inquiring about keys at a distance)

5. Demonstrative Adjectives with Uncountable Nouns:

• This water is refreshing. (referring to a specific amount of water close to the speaker)
• I prefer that milk for my coffee. (referring to specific milk farther away)
• These rice grains are long. (referring to specific grains of rice close to the speaker)
• Those sand particles are smooth. (referring to specific particles of sand far away)

Demonstrative Adjectives vs. Demonstrative Pronouns

Let’s understand the difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns in simple terms:

Demonstrative Adjectives:

• Demonstrative adjectives are used to describe and point out specific nouns in a sentence.
• They come before a noun and modify it to indicate which person, place, thing, or idea we are talking about.
• Demonstrative adjectives include words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

Example:

1. Demonstrative Adjective: I like this book. (The word “this” describes the noun “book” and indicates a specific book.)
2. Demonstrative Adjective: Can you pass me those pens? (The word “those” describes the noun “pens” and points out a specific set of pens.)

Demonstrative Pronouns:

• Demonstrative pronouns, on the other hand, stand-alone and replace a noun in a sentence.
• They are used to refer to specific persons, places, things, or ideas without repeating the noun.
• Demonstrative pronouns include words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

Example:

1. Demonstrative Pronoun: I like this. (The word “this” replaces the noun and represents a specific object or idea mentioned earlier.)
2. Demonstrative Pronoun: That is mine. (The word “that” replaces the noun and points to a specific object or idea.)

Use of Demonstrative Adjectives

Let’s explore the use of demonstrative adjectives in simple terms:

1. Pointing out Specific Objects: Demonstrative adjectives help us identify and specify which particular objects we are talking about. They indicate whether the objects are near or far from the speaker or listener.

Example: “This car is mine.” (The speaker is referring to a car that is close to them.)

2. Describing Locations: Demonstrative adjectives can also be used to describe the location of an object or person in relation to the speaker or listener.

Example: “That house is on the corner.” (The speaker is referring to a house that is farther away from both the speaker and the listener.)

3. Distinguishing Between Multiple Objects: When there are multiple objects or options, demonstrative adjectives help us differentiate between them by pointing out specific ones.

Example: “These apples are fresh, but those are rotten.” (The speaker is referring to apples nearby and distinguishing them from other apples that are farther away.)

4. Comparing Objects: Demonstrative adjectives are useful for making comparisons between objects or groups of objects, indicating which ones are being compared.

Example: “This dress is more expensive than that one.” (The speaker is comparing two dresses, with “this” referring to one dress and “that” to another.)

5. Expressing Preferences: Demonstrative adjectives can convey personal preferences by highlighting specific objects that are preferred or favored.

Example: “I like these shoes better than those.” (The speaker prefers the shoes that are nearby, indicated by “these,” over the ones farther away, indicated by “those.”)

Exercises and Practice Questions on Demonstrative Adjectives

Here are some exercises and practice questions on demonstrative adjectives, along with their answers:

Exercise 1:

Identify the demonstrative adjective in each sentence.

• __________ car is parked outside.
• I prefer __________ flowers to those.
• Can you pass me __________ pen?
• Look at __________ sunset!
• __________ books on the shelf belong to me.

Answers:

• This
• These, those
• that
• that
• The

Exercise 2:

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate demonstrative adjective (this, that, these, or those).

• ___________ movie is my favorite of all time.
• Can you hand me ___________ books on the table?
• I want to buy ___________ shoes in the display window.
• ___________ pens over there are mine.
• I can’t decide between ___________ two options.

Answers:

• that
• those
• those
• Those
• these

Also, read:

• Qualitative Adjectives
• Numeral Adjective
• Quantitative Adjective
• Descriptive Adjective
• Linking Verbs
• Predicative Adjective
• Attributive Adjective
• Pronoun Contractions