What are Demonstrative Determiners: Types, Usage, & Examples

Demonstrative determiners are words that are used to point out or demonstrate something. They are typically used before nouns to indicate whether the noun is near the speaker (this/these) or far from the speaker (that/those).

Demonstratives are an important part of English grammar. By understanding how to use them, you can improve your communication skills and make your writing more precise.

In the next few sections of this blog post, we will take a closer look at the different types of demonstrative determiners, their usage, and some examples.

What is a demonstrative determiner?

Imagine you have a group of objects, like toys. Demonstrative determiners are special words that help you point to or show which specific toy you’re talking about in a sentence. They tell if the toy is close to you (this toy) or farther away (that toy). So, they “determine” or pick out a certain thing from a bunch by showing its place. They’re like your pointing helpers in sentences!

Definition of Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners are words that come before nouns to point out or identify specific things. They show whether those things are close or far in relation to the speaker and listener. Demonstrative determiners include words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

Function of Demonstrative Determiners:

The main job of demonstrative determiners is to help specify which particular thing you’re talking about in a sentence. They give context and help the listener understand where to direct their attention. Demonstrative determiners act like pointers, guiding you to the exact item or items being discussed.

Examples:

• “I want this shirt.” (Pointing to a specific shirt that’s close.)
• “Look at those stars.” (Pointing to specific stars that are far away.)
• “Can I have that pencil?” (Pointing to a specific pencil that’s a bit away.)

Types of Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners come in two types: proximal and distal. Let’s explore these types in simpler terms:

1. Proximal Demonstrative Determiners:

Think of “proximal” as meaning “close by.” Proximal demonstrative determiners point to things that are nearby, things you can almost touch. They help you show something that’s close to you or the person you’re talking to. The main proximal demonstrative determiners are “this” (singular) and “these” (plural).

Examples:

“This book” (pointing to a book that’s right here).

“These cookies” (pointing to cookies that are nearby).

2. Distal Demonstrative Determiners:

Now, “distal” means “farther away.” Distal demonstrative determiners are like your pointing fingers for things that are not so close, things you might need to stretch to reach. They help you talk about things that are a bit far from you or the person you’re talking to. The main distal demonstrative determiners are “that” (singular) and “those” (plural).

Examples:

“That mountain” (pointing to a mountain in the distance).

“Those stars” (pointing to stars that are far away).

Usage of Demonstrative Determiners:

Demonstrative determiners are like your pointing words. They show which specific thing you’re talking about in a sentence. These words help your listener know whether you mean something close to you or something farther away.

Examples:

Close Things – Proximal Demonstratives:

“This” (singular): Use it for one thing that’s close to you.

Example: “I like this ice cream.”

“These” (plural): Use it for more than one thing that’s close to you.

Example: “Look at these flowers.”

Far Things – Distal Demonstratives:

“That” (singular): Use it for one thing that’s farther away.

Example: “Can you see that bird?”

“Those” (plural): Use it for more than one thing that’s farther away.

Example: “I want to buy those shoes.”

More Examples:

• “I want this cookie” (pointing to a cookie in your hand).
• “Could you pass me those pencils?” (pointing to pencils on the table).
• “Look at that beautiful sunset” (pointing to a sunset in the distance).
• “Could you bring me these magazines?” (pointing to magazines nearby).

Demonstrative determiners vs. demonstrative pronouns

Here’s a simple table that compares demonstrative determiners and demonstrative pronouns:

How Demonstrative determiners are used as adjectives?

Using demonstrations as adjectives is quite straightforward. In sentences, they work like adjectives to give more information about a noun by indicating which specific thing you’re talking about. Let’s break it down in simple terms:

Adjective Function of Demonstrative:

Think of demonstrative determiners as special adjectives that help describe a noun by pointing out a particular thing.

Examples:

Close Things – Proximal Demonstratives:

• “I like this car.” (Describing a specific car that’s close to you.)
• “Can you pass me these cookies?” (Asking for specific cookies that are nearby.)

Far Things – Distal Demonstratives:

• “Look at that building.” (Talking about a specific building in the distance.)
• “I want to buy those shoes.” (Referring to specific shoes that are farther away.)

In these examples, the demonstratives (“this,” “these,” “that,” “those”) work like adjectives, helping you point out exactly which car, cookies, building, or shoes you’re talking about.

Exercises to practice using demonstrative determiners

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate demonstrative determiner (“this,” “that,” “these,” or “those”) based on the context.

1. I love ___ movie! It’s my favorite one.
2. Can you hand me ___ apples from the basket?
3. Look at ___ beautiful flowers in the garden.
4. I can’t decide between ___ two dresses. Which one do you like?
5. Wow, ___ mountain is really tall! I can see it from here.
6. Pass me ___ blue pen, please.
7. ___ book on the shelf is the one I’ve been looking for.
8. Have you seen ___ new phone? It’s amazing.
9. ___ cookies you baked are delicious!
10. I want to visit ___ city one day. It seems so vibrant.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

Choose the correct demonstrative determiner (“this,” “that,” “these,” or “those”) to complete each sentence.

1. Can you give me ___ cup of tea?
2. ___ dogs in the park are playing fetch.
3. I saw ___ amazing sunset yesterday.
4. Do you like ___ color of the new car?
5. Pass me ___ sandwich, please.
6. Look at ___ cute kittens in the pet store.
7. I want to visit ___ museum next weekend.
8. Have you read ___ book on the table?
9. ___ mountain range is visible from our balcony.
10. I can’t decide between ___ two options.

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. this
2. these
3. those
4. these
5. that
6. this
7. This
8. this
9. Those
10. that

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

1. that
2. Those
3. that
4. the
5. that
6. those
7. the
8. that
9. Those
10. these

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the demonstrative determiner along with their answers to help address additional doubts:

Explore more:

• Rules of Using Articles
• Usage of Indefinite Articles
• Placement of Adjectives
• List of Adjectives with Articles
• Formation of Adjectives
• Emphasizing Adjective

Helpful Links:

• “Demonstrative Determiners” in English Grammar – LanGeek
• This That These Those – Demonstrative Determiners – Ginseng English
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Determiners – ESLBase
• Grammar: Demonstratives (This, These, That, Those) – Thoughtco