Demonstrative Adjectives in English: Grammar Rules, Usage & Examples

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English – Intermediate, English Adjectives

Demonstrative Adjectives in English

Demonstrative adjectives are essential components of English grammar that help specify and indicate particular nouns in relation to distance, number, and context. These adjectives modify nouns by pointing out specific items or groups of items. In this blog post, we will explore their usage, types, rules, and various situations in which they are used.

List of Demonstrative Adjectives

The four primary demonstrative adjectives in English are:

Demonstrative Adjective	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
This	This book is very interesting.	I love this dress.
That	That house is very old.	Can you see that bird?
These	These shoes are comfortable.	These cookies are delicious.
Those	Those cars are expensive.	Those mountains are breathtaking.

Situations Where Demonstrative Adjectives Are Used

Indicating Physical Distance:
- This and these refer to objects that are close.
- That and those refer to objects that are farther away.
Singular and Plural Forms:
- This (singular, near) vs. These (plural, near)
- That (singular, far) vs. Those (plural, far)
Contextual Clarity: Used to distinguish between objects, ideas, or events in speech and writing.
Emphasizing Specificity: Demonstrative adjectives clarify which particular noun is being referenced.
With Countable Nouns: Used only before countable nouns.
With Definite Articles: Demonstrative adjectives replace ‘the’ when specifying a particular noun.
In Questions and Exclamations: Used to express curiosity or emotions.

More Example Sentences

This pen belongs to me.
That restaurant serves the best pasta.
These flowers are blooming beautifully.
Those children are playing in the park.
I bought this laptop yesterday.
Do you like these earrings?
That movie was fantastic!
Those birds are migrating south.
I will take this seat.
Can you pass me that notebook?

Fill in the Blanks

______ car is parked outside our house. (Near)
______ apples are fresh and juicy. (Near, plural)
______ dog belongs to my neighbor. (Far)
______ books are on the table. (Far, plural)
______ phone is brand new. (Near)
I love ______ shoes you are wearing. (Near, plural)
______ bag on the chair is mine. (Far)
______ paintings in the gallery are beautiful. (Far, plural)
______ cake is delicious! (Near)
______ trees provide shade. (Far, plural)

Answers:

This
These
That
Those
This
These
That
Those
This
Those

Things to Keep in Mind

Demonstrative adjectives always come before a noun.
They must agree in number with the noun they modify.
They are different from demonstrative pronouns, which stand alone.
They can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
They are essential in providing specificity and clarity in communication.

Conclusion

Demonstrative adjectives play a crucial role in English by pointing out specific people, places, and things. Understanding their usage in different contexts helps improve clarity and precision in writing and speech. By practicing with examples and exercises, learners can master their application and enhance their overall English proficiency. Keep practicing, and soon, using demonstrative adjectives will become second nature!

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