Demonstrative Adjectives
Beginner (A1)en
Demonstrative adjectives (this/that/these/those)
Demonstrative Adjectives
1. What are Demonstrative Adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives are words used to point out specific nouns. They give us more information about where the nouns are.
The four demonstrative adjectives are:
This
- Used for one thing that is close to the speaker.
- Example: This chair is comfortable.
That
- Used for one thing that is far from the speaker.
- Example: That mountain is very high.
These
- Used for two or more things that are close to the speaker.
- Example: These cookies are delicious.
Those
- Used for two or more things that are far from the speaker.
- Example: Those birds are flying.
2. Rules & Tips
2.1. Always come before the noun:
- “This chair is comfortable.” (Correct)
- “The chair this is comfortable.” (Incorrect)
2.2. Can be used without a noun (common in questions):
- “Who is that?”
- “What are those?”
2.3. Use based on distance:
Close to the speaker: this / these
Close to the speaker: this / these
- “This pen in my hand is mine.”
- “Can I have these cookies?”
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, close to the speaker
Can I have these cookies?
→ Plural, close to the speaker
Who owns that house?
→ Singular, far from the speaker
Do you see those birds?
→ Plural, far from the speaker
I like this book.
→ Singular, close to the speaker
Can I have these cookies?
→ Plural, close to the speaker
Who owns that house?
→ Singular, far from the speaker
Do you see those birds?
→ Plural, far from the speaker
4. Combining Common and Demonstrative Adjectives
You can use demonstrative adjectives with common adjectives to make sentences more precise.
Structure:
Demonstrative → Adjective → Noun
Demonstrative → Adjective → Noun
Examples:
- “I want this big apple.”
- “Those old books are interesting.”
- “She bought these red shoes.”
Tip: Always remember the order:
this / that / these / those + adjective + noun
Practice Exercises
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Demonstrative adjectives (this/that/these/those)
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Related Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with words related to this grammar topic
Demonstrative adjectives (this/that/these/those)
A1Demonstrative adjectives
4 wordsthis
that
pronoun
Used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard.
That is my favorite book.