What is a Demonstrative Adjective?

S2-SA1-0044

Grade Level:

Class 1

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

Definition

What is it?

A demonstrative adjective tells us which specific noun or pronoun we are talking about. It points out a person, place, animal, or thing. The main demonstrative adjectives are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you are at the market. Your mom points to a bunch of mangoes and says, 'I want *these* mangoes.' Here, 'these' points out the specific mangoes she wants, making it a demonstrative adjective.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the demonstrative adjective in the sentence: 'Can you pass me *that* cricket bat?'

1. First, identify the nouns in the sentence. The noun is 'cricket bat'.
---2. Now, look for words that describe or point out this noun. The word 'that' comes before 'cricket bat'.
---3. 'That' tells us which specific cricket bat to pass – not just any bat, but *that* particular one.
---4. Since 'that' points out a specific noun and comes before it, 'that' is the demonstrative adjective.

Answer: The demonstrative adjective is 'that'.

Why It Matters

Understanding demonstrative adjectives helps you communicate clearly and precisely, whether you're writing a report for school or explaining a problem to a friend. Journalists use them to specify events, and lawyers use them to refer to particular pieces of evidence. Clear communication is key in almost every career!

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using 'this' for plural nouns (e.g., 'This books are heavy.') | CORRECTION: Use 'these' for plural nouns (e.g., 'These books are heavy.')

MISTAKE: Confusing demonstrative adjectives with demonstrative pronouns (e.g., 'This is my bag.' - 'This' is a pronoun here, not an adjective). | CORRECTION: A demonstrative adjective always comes before a noun and describes it (e.g., 'This bag is mine.' - 'This' is an adjective here).

MISTAKE: Using 'that' for something close by (e.g., pointing to a pen in your hand and saying 'That pen is mine.'). | CORRECTION: Use 'this' for things close by and 'that' for things further away (e.g., 'This pen is mine.' if it's in your hand, 'That pen is mine.' if it's on the table across the room).

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Identify the demonstrative adjective: 'Please give me *this* samosa.' | ANSWER: this

QUESTION: Fill in the blank with the correct demonstrative adjective: 'Look at ____ clouds in the sky, they are so far away!' | ANSWER: those

QUESTION: Rewrite the sentence, changing the demonstrative adjective from singular to plural: 'I like *that* storybook.' | ANSWER: I like *those* storybooks.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following sentences uses a demonstrative adjective correctly?

Those is my favourite movie.

This are my friends.

I love these sweets.

That books are interesting.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C is correct because 'these' correctly points out the plural noun 'sweets'. Options A, B, and D use demonstrative adjectives incorrectly with singular/plural nouns or as pronouns.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you order food online using apps like Swiggy or Zomato, the menu often says 'Try *this* special biryani!' or 'Don't miss *that* amazing dessert!' Here, 'this' and 'that' are used to highlight specific food items, guiding your choice. Even in news reports, phrases like 'This incident happened yesterday' or 'Those policies were introduced last year' help clarify specific events and rules.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

DEMONSTRATIVE: pointing out or showing something | ADJECTIVE: a word that describes a noun | NOUN: name of a person, place, animal, or thing | SINGULAR: referring to one | PLURAL: referring to more than one

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can learn about 'Demonstrative Pronouns'. This will help you understand the difference between when 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' act as adjectives and when they act as pronouns, making your English even stronger!