What is a Demonstrative Determiner?

S2-SA1-0215

Grade Level:

Class 3

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

Definition

What is it?

A demonstrative determiner is a word that points out specific nouns (people, places, things, or ideas) and tells us whether they are near or far, or singular or plural. The main demonstrative determiners are 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'. They always come before the noun they describe.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you are at a chai stall. If you say, 'I want *this* cup of chai,' you are pointing to a specific cup right in front of you. 'This' tells us which cup and that it's close.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's identify the demonstrative determiner in the sentence: 'Those mangoes are very sweet.'
---Step 1: Read the sentence carefully: 'Those mangoes are very sweet.'
---Step 2: Look for words that point out specific nouns. We have 'mangoes' as the noun.
---Step 3: See which word comes just before 'mangoes' and specifies them. The word 'Those' comes before 'mangoes'.
---Step 4: 'Those' tells us which specific mangoes (the ones that are far away) and that there are many of them.
---Answer: The demonstrative determiner is 'Those'.

Why It Matters

Understanding demonstrative determiners helps you write and speak more clearly, which is vital in journalism, law, and communication. It ensures your message is understood precisely, whether you're reporting news, drafting legal documents, or simply chatting with friends.

Common Mistakes

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

MISTAKE: Confusing demonstrative determiners with demonstrative pronouns (e.g., 'That is my bag.' where 'that' is a pronoun). | CORRECTION: A demonstrative determiner always comes *before* a noun (e.g., 'That bag is mine.'). A pronoun stands *in place of* a noun.

MISTAKE: Incorrectly using 'that' for near objects or 'this' for far objects. | CORRECTION: Remember 'this/these' for near objects and 'that/those' for far objects.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Identify the demonstrative determiner: 'Can you pass me that remote control?' | ANSWER: that

QUESTION: Fill in the blank with the correct demonstrative determiner: '_______ students are practicing for the annual day function (referring to students far away).' | ANSWER: Those

QUESTION: Rewrite the sentence using a demonstrative determiner to point out a single, nearby notebook: 'The notebook on my desk is open.' | ANSWER: This notebook on my desk is open.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a demonstrative determiner?

These is my favourite song.

That car over there is very fast.

Those is a great idea.

This books are on the table.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option B is correct because 'That' is a singular demonstrative determiner used before the singular noun 'car'. Options A, C, and D have mismatches in number or incorrect usage.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you use a food delivery app like Swiggy or Zomato, the descriptions often use demonstrative determiners. For example, 'Try *these* new biryani combos' or 'Is *that* restaurant still open?' to guide your choices and refer to specific items or places.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

DETERMINER: A word that introduces a noun and provides information about it, like quantity or specificity. | NOUN: A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. | SINGULAR: Referring to one item or person. | PLURAL: Referring to more than one item or person. | SPECIFIC: Clearly defined or identified.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can explore 'Demonstrative Pronouns'. Understanding the difference between determiners and pronouns will further strengthen your grammar and help you use these words correctly in sentences.