Factors to Consider When Using Demonstrative Adjectives
Proper usage of demonstrative adjective is essential for effective communication. Here are some key points to consider:
Proximity: Employ “this” and “these” when referring to objects or people that are nearby, and use “that” and “those” for ones that are further away. Time: Demonstrative adjectives can also indicate time. For instance, “this week” denotes the current week, whereas “that week” refers to another week. Clarity: Use demonstrative adjectives to clearly differentiate between various objects or people in a discussion.
Difference Between Demonstrative Adjectives & Demonstrative Pronouns
Although both serve similar purposes, understanding the differences between them is crucial for proper usage in both spoken and written language.
In English grammar, demonstrative pronouns include this, that, these, and those. Unlike demonstrative adjective, they do not modify nouns or pronouns.
Demonstrative adjective specify which noun is being referenced. They precede the noun, offering information about the noun’s location relative to the speaker and listener.
Demonstrative pronouns act independently and substitute for a noun. They serve as either the subject or object within a sentence and do not modify a noun.
For instance:
- This is a course in mechanics.
- That’s a nice dress.
- These are great shoes for muddy weather.
- I’m not joking. Those were his actual words.
In the sentences above, “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” operate as the subjects, without accompanying any nouns to modify them.
See More “Descriptive Adjectives”
Frequent Mistakes with Demonstrative Adjectives
Misunderstanding Singular and Plural Forms
A frequent mistake involving demonstrative adjective is the confusion between their singular and plural forms. Demonstrative adjectives, which are used to specify particular people or objects, include four forms: this, that, these, and those. It is essential to use the correct form to ensure sentence clarity. For example:
- Correct: I like this book.
- Incorrect: I like these book.
Misuse of Demonstrative Adjectives with Uncountable Nouns
Another common error is the incorrect use of demonstrative adjectives with uncountable nouns. Uncountable nouns, such as water, air, or information, cannot be counted. When pairing demonstrative adjective with these nouns, use this or that instead of these or those:
- Correct: This information is helpful.
- Incorrect: These information is helpful.
Confusion Between Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns
Some people may also confuse demonstrative adjective with demonstrative pronouns. Remember that demonstrative adjectives modify a noun, whereas demonstrative pronouns stand in place of a noun. For instance: Adjective: This book is mine. Pronoun: This is mine.
To avoid mixing them up, always ensure that a demonstrative adjective is followed by a noun. This practice helps distinguish between the two and keeps the sentence coherent.
Exercises on Using Demonstrative Adjective
Let’s start by going over some basic rules:
- Use “this” and “these” for items or people that are near the speaker.
- Use “that” and “those” for items or people that are farther from the speaker.
Now, let’s do some practice exercises. Choose the correct demonstrative adjective for each sentence:
- ___ car belongs to me. (The car is nearby)
- ___ books belong to you. (The books are at a distance)
Answers:
- This car belongs to me.
- Those books belong to you.
To deepen your understanding, complete the following exercise by filling in the blanks with the correct demonstrative adjective:
- ___ shirt is mine, while ___ one is yours. (The first shirt is close to the speaker, the second one is farther away)
- ___ glasses are mine, but ___ ones are hers. (The first pair of glasses is near the speaker, the second pair is farther away)
Answers:
- This shirt is mine, while that one is yours.
- These glasses are mine, but those ones are hers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Demonstrative Adjectives
Q: What are demonstrative adjectives? A: Demonstrative adjectives are words used to indicate specific nouns and their relative position in space or time. They include “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”
Q: How do I use “this” and “these”? A: Use “this” for singular nouns that are close to the speaker (e.g., this book). Use “these” for plural nouns that are close to the speaker (e.g., these books).
Q: How do I use “that” and “those”? A: Use “that” for singular nouns that are farther from the speaker (e.g., that car). Use “those” for plural nouns that are farther from the speaker (e.g., those cars).
Q: Can demonstrative adjectives be used for both people and objects? A: Yes, demonstrative adjective can refer to both people and objects. For example, “this person” refers to someone close to the speaker, while “those people” refers to people farther away.
Q: What is the difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns? A: Demonstrative adjectives modify a noun (e.g., this apple, those shoes), while demonstrative pronouns replace the noun (e.g., This is mine, Those are yours).
Q: How can I practice using demonstrative adjectives? A: You can practice by identifying objects around you and describing them using demonstrative adjectives. For example, “this pen” if the pen is near you, or “that chair” if the chair is across the room.
Q: Are there any tips for remembering when to use each demonstrative adjective? A: A helpful tip is to associate “this” and “these” with items you can touch or are very close to, and “that” and “those” with items that require you to point or are farther away.
Q: Can demonstrative adjectives be used in questions? A: Yes, they can be used in questions. For example, “Is this your bag?” or “Are those your friends?”
Q: Do demonstrative adjectives change with different tenses? A: No, demonstrative adjectives do not change with tense. They remain the same regardless of whether the sentence is in the past, present, or future.
Q: How do demonstrative adjective work in compound sentences? A: In compound sentences, demonstrative adjectives can be used to refer to multiple nouns. For example, “This book is interesting, and those articles are informative.”
Q: Can demonstrative adjective be used with non-physical concepts? A: Yes, they can refer to abstract ideas or non-physical entities. For example, “this idea” refers to an idea currently being discussed, while “that belief” refers to a belief previously mentioned or further away in the context.
Q: Are demonstrative adjective used differently in different dialects of English? A: The basic usage of demonstrative adjectives is consistent across most English dialects, though there may be slight variations in colloquial expressions.
