Mastering Demonstrative Adjectives: A Clear Guide to This, That, These, and Those

What Are Demonstrative Adjectives? (This, That, These, Those)

Demonstrative adjectives are words that modify nouns by indicating their proximity to the speaker or their quantity. The four demonstrative adjectives in English are this, that, these, and those. Each of these words serves a specific purpose based on the distance and number of the noun they modify.

Distance and Number Matrix

Demonstrative Adjective	Distance	Number
this	Near	Singular
that	Far	Singular
these	Near	Plural
those	Far	Plural

Demonstrative Adjective

Distance

Number

this

Near

Singular

that

Far

Singular

these

Near

Plural

those

Far

Plural

Practical Examples

This book is interesting. (Near, Singular)

That car is fast. (Far, Singular)

These apples are ripe. (Near, Plural)

Those mountains are beautiful. (Far, Plural)

Choosing the Right Demonstrative: Distance and Proximity

The choice between this and that (or these and those) depends on the physical or temporal distance of the noun from the speaker. This and these are used for items that are close to the speaker, while that and those are used for items that are far from the speaker.

Mini Drill: Distance Check

Identify the distance of the following items from you:

A book on your desk
A car parked outside your window
A friend sitting next to you
A mountain visible in the distance

Choose the correct demonstrative adjective for each item based on its distance.

Demonstrative Adjectives vs. Demonstrative Pronouns: A Key Difference

While demonstrative adjectives modify nouns, demonstrative pronouns replace nouns. Understanding the difference is crucial for clear communication.

Demonstrative Adjectives

This book is interesting.
That car is fast.
These apples are ripe.
Those mountains are beautiful.

Demonstrative Pronouns

This is interesting. (Replaces 'book')
That is fast. (Replaces 'car')
These are ripe. (Replaces 'apples')
Those are beautiful. (Replaces 'mountains')

Side-by-Side Comparison

Demonstrative Adjective	Demonstrative Pronoun
This book is interesting.	This is interesting.
That car is fast.	That is fast.
These apples are ripe.	These are ripe.
Those mountains are beautiful.	Those are beautiful.

Quick Reference: Using 'This/That/These/Those' Correctly

Checklist for Correct Usage

Identify the noun: Determine what you are referring to.
Assess distance: Decide if the noun is near or far.
Determine number: Check if the noun is singular or plural.
Select the demonstrative: Choose the appropriate adjective or pronoun based on the distance and number.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect distance: Using this for a far object or that for a near object.
Incorrect number: Using this or that for plural nouns or these or those for singular nouns.
Confusing adjectives and pronouns: Using a demonstrative adjective when a pronoun is needed, and vice versa.

Practical Examples and Exercises

Example Sentences

Near, Singular: This pen is mine. (The pen is close to the speaker.)
Far, Singular: That building is tall. (The building is far from the speaker.)
Near, Plural: These shoes are comfortable. (The shoes are close to the speaker.)
Far, Plural: Those clouds look threatening. (The clouds are far from the speaker.)

Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

… book on the table is interesting. (Near, Singular)
… car in the distance is fast. (Far, Singular)
… apples in the basket are ripe. (Near, Plural)
… mountains in the background are beautiful. (Far, Plural)

Exercise: Correct the Sentences

That book on the table is interesting. (Correct to 'This')
This car in the distance is fast. (Correct to 'That')
These apple in the basket is ripe. (Correct to 'This apple')
Those mountain in the background is beautiful. (Correct to 'That mountain')

By following this guide and practicing the exercises, you will gain a solid understanding of demonstrative adjectives and be able to use them correctly in your English communication.

FAQ

How do I know when to use 'this' vs. 'that'?

Use 'this' for items that are near to you and 'that' for items that are far from you. For example, if you are pointing to a book on your desk, you would say 'this book,' but if you are pointing to a book across the room, you would say 'that book.'

Can demonstrative adjectives be used with plural nouns?

Yes, demonstrative adjectives can be used with plural nouns. Use 'these' for plural nouns that are near and 'those' for plural nouns that are far. For example, 'these apples' refers to apples close to you, while 'those apples' refers to apples that are farther away.

What is the difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns?

Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns (e.g., 'this book'), while demonstrative pronouns replace nouns (e.g., 'this is interesting'). The choice between using an adjective or a pronoun depends on whether you are providing additional information about a noun or simply referring to it.