Demonstrative Adjectives in English: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

Demonstrative Adjectives in English: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

Demonstrative adjectives are essential in English grammar because they help identify specific nouns in relation to distance or time. Understanding their correct usage can improve your spoken and written communication. This article will explain demonstrative adjectives, their rules, common mistakes, and provide exercises to reinforce learning.

What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives are words that describe which specific noun we are talking about. They help indicate whether something is near or far in relation to the speaker.

✔ List of Demonstrative Adjectives:

• This (singular, near)

• That (singular, far)

• These (plural, near)

• Those (plural, far)

✅ Examples:

• This book is interesting. (a book near the speaker)

• That car is expensive. (a car far from the speaker)

• These shoes are comfortable. (shoes near the speaker)

• Those mountains are beautiful. (mountains far from the speaker)

Rule: Demonstrative adjectives must always be followed by a noun.

❌ Wrong: I like this.
✅ Correct: I like this dress.

Rules for Using Demonstrative Adjectives

✔ Rule 1: Demonstrative Adjectives Modify Nouns
A demonstrative adjective must always come before a noun and describe its position.

❌ Wrong: I prefer that.
✅ Correct: I prefer that movie.

✔ Rule 2: Use Singular for One Object, Plural for More

• This apple is fresh. (One apple, singular)

• These apples are fresh. (More than one apple, plural)

✔ Rule 3: Use "This" and "These" for Near Objects

• This pen is mine. (singular, close)

• These pens are yours. (plural, close)

✔ Rule 4: Use "That" and "Those" for Distant Objects

• That house is big. (singular, far)

• Those houses are expensive. (plural, far)

Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives

✔ Talking About Objects Near and Far

• This table is new. (near the speaker)

• That chair looks old. (far from the speaker)

✔ Talking About People and Animals

• These children are playing outside.

• Those birds are flying high.

✔ Talking About Time (Present and Past/Future)

• I will finish this project soon. (present/future)

• I remember that day clearly. (past event)

Common Mistakes:

❌ Mistake 1: Using a Demonstrative Adjective Without a Noun
Wrong: I want that.
✅ Correct: I want that book.

Explanation: Demonstrative adjectives must be followed by a noun.

❌ Mistake 2: Confusing "This/These" and "That/Those"
Wrong: These apple is delicious.
✅ Correct: This apple is delicious.

Explanation: "These" is plural, but "apple" is singular, so we must use "this."

❌ Mistake 3: Using "This" for Plural Nouns
Wrong: This shoes are mine.
✅ Correct: These shoes are mine.

Explanation: "This" is singular, so it cannot be used with "shoes" (plural).

❌ Mistake 4: Using "Those" for Something Close
Wrong: Those books on the table belong to me.
✅ Correct: These books on the table belong to me.

Explanation: If the books are on the table near you, use "these" instead of "those."

Exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Demonstrative Adjective

1. I like ___ dress. (singular, near)

2. ___ shoes are too big for me. (plural, near)

3. Look at ___ bird in the sky. (singular, far)

4. ___ trees over there are beautiful. (plural, far)

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word

1. (This / These) book is very interesting.

2. (That / Those) mountains are covered in snow.

3. I need (that / those) pencil from the table.

4. (This / These) oranges are sweet.

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes

Rewrite the sentences correctly.

1. This books are mine. → _________

2. That dogs are barking. → _________

3. Those pen is expensive. → _________

4. These house is beautiful. → _________

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences Using Demonstrative Adjectives

Example: I like the cake that is near me. → I like this cake.

1. I prefer the shoes that are close to me. → _________

2. The boy over there is my cousin. → _________

3. I bought a bag that is far from me. → _________

4. The apples in your hand look fresh. → _________