Demonstrative Adjectives

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What are Demonstrative adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives are words we use to point out specific people or things. In English, the most common demonstrative adjectives are this, that, these, and those. They are always placed before a noun and help us show which item we are talking about, depending on distance and number.

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2. Singular and Plural Forms

We use this for one thing that is close to us (singular), and that for one thing that is far away. For example: This book is interesting (the book is near me), or That car is old (the car is not close). When we talk about more than one thing, we use these (close) and those (far). For example: These apples are fresh or Those dogs are barking.

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4. Adjective vs. Pronoun

Don’t confuse demonstrative adjectives with demonstrative pronouns. If the word comes before a noun, it’s an adjective: This phone is new. But if it stands alone, it’s a pronoun: This is new.

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This jacket is too small for me. (adjective)

That was the best movie I’ve seen this year. (pronoun)

Can you hand me those papers on the table? (adjective)

These are my favorite shoes. (pronoun)

I don’t like that color on the wall. (adjective)

This is exactly what I needed. (pronoun)

I’ll take these books to the library. (adjective)

Those look delicious! Did you bake them? (pronoun)

That restaurant has amazing pasta. (adjective)

These aren’t mine — maybe they’re yours. (pronoun)