What is a Demonstrative?

S2-SA1-0256

Grade Level:

Class 1

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

A demonstrative is a word that points to specific people, places, or things. It tells us whether something is near or far, and if it is singular or plural. The main demonstratives are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you are at a fruit stall. If you want a mango right in front of you, you would say, 'I want THIS mango.' If the mango is far away, you would say, 'I want THAT mango.'

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's identify the correct demonstrative for different situations:

Step 1: Look at the object and its distance. Is it close or far?
---Step 2: Look at the quantity. Is it one (singular) or more than one (plural)?
---Step 3: If close and singular, use 'this'. (e.g., 'This book is mine.')
---Step 4: If far and singular, use 'that'. (e.g., 'That car is fast.')
---Step 5: If close and plural, use 'these'. (e.g., 'These pens are new.')
---Step 6: If far and plural, use 'those'. (e.g., 'Those birds are flying high.')
---Answer: The correct demonstrative depends on both distance and quantity.

Why It Matters

Understanding demonstratives helps you communicate clearly and precisely, whether you're describing an event in a newspaper or presenting a case in a courtroom. Journalists use them to point out specific details, and lawyers use them to refer to evidence. Clear communication is key in many careers, from teaching to public speaking.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using 'this' for plural items. (e.g., 'This shoes are new.') | CORRECTION: Use 'these' for plural items that are close. (e.g., 'These shoes are new.')

MISTAKE: Using 'that' for items that are close. (e.g., 'That phone in my hand is ringing.') | CORRECTION: Use 'this' for items that are close. (e.g., 'This phone in my hand is ringing.')

MISTAKE: Confusing 'these' and 'those' for distance. (e.g., 'Those books on my table are mine.') | CORRECTION: Use 'these' for close plural items and 'those' for far plural items. (e.g., 'These books on my table are mine.' OR 'Those books on the shelf are old.')

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Fill in the blank: _____ is my favourite cricket bat (it's right next to me). | ANSWER: This

QUESTION: Which demonstrative would you use for 'flowers in the garden far away from me'? | ANSWER: Those

QUESTION: My friend asked, 'Can I have _____ ladoos?' (pointing to the plate of ladoos right in front of him). What demonstrative did he use? | ANSWER: These

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative?

That books are on the table.

These is my brother.

This is a delicious samosa.

Those dog is barking.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C is correct because 'this' is used for a singular item that is close. Options A, B, and D have incorrect subject-verb agreement or wrong demonstrative usage for singular/plural.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you use a navigation app like Google Maps to find an auto-rickshaw, the app might tell you, 'THIS auto is 2 minutes away' or 'THAT auto is on the other side of the road.' It helps you quickly identify specific vehicles based on their proximity, making your travel easier.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

DEMONSTRATIVE: A word that points to specific items | SINGULAR: Referring to one item | PLURAL: Referring to more than one item | PROXIMITY: How close or far something is

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job learning about demonstratives! Next, you can explore 'Pronouns' and 'Adjectives'. Demonstratives are actually a type of pronoun and can also act like adjectives, so understanding them will make your next steps even clearer and help you build stronger sentences.