Demonstrative Adjectives

1. What are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives help us point to a noun. They show if something is near me or far from me.

We choose them by distance (near/far) and number (singular/plural).

The four demonstrative adjectives are:

1. This

• Used for one thing that is close to the speaker.
• Example: This chair is comfortable.

2. That

• Used for one thing that is far from the speaker.
• Example: That mountain over there is very high.

3. These

• Used for more than one thing (plural) that is close to the speaker.
• Example: These cookies are delicious.

4. Those

• Used for more than one thing (plural) that is far from the speaker.
• Example: Those birds over there are flying.

2. Rules & Tips

2.1 When they are adjectives, they come before the noun

When we use this/that/these/those with a noun, they come before the noun.

Pattern: this/that/these/those + noun

• “This chair is comfortable.” (Correct)
• “The chair this is comfortable.” (Incorrect)

2.2 Demonstratives without a noun (pronouns)

Sometimes we use them without a noun. Then they are demonstrative pronouns.

Adjective + noun: This book is mine.

Pronoun (no noun): This is my book.

In this lesson, we mainly use them before a noun (as adjectives).

When there is no noun after this/that/these/those, we are using a demonstrative pronoun.

• “Who is that?”
• “What are those?”

2.3 Use based on distance

• Near (the speaker): this / these
  • “This pen is mine.”
  • “Can I have these apples here?”
• Far (from the speaker): that / those
  • “That mountain over there is high.”
  • “Do you see those birds?”

2.4 Agree in number

• Singular → this / that
• Plural → these / those

3. Practice Sentences

• I like this book. (singular, near)
• Can I have these apples? (plural, near)
• Who owns that house? (singular, far)
• Do you see those birds? (plural, far)

4. Demonstratives with other adjectives

You can use demonstrative adjectives with common adjectives to make sentences more precise.

Structure:

Demonstrative → Adjective → Noun

Examples:

• “I want this big apple.”
• “Those old books are interesting.”
• “She bought these red shoes.”

Tip: Put the adjective in the middle. Always remember the order:

this / that / these / those + adjective + noun