Chapter 11 Grammar Booklet A: Demonstrative Adjectives

Questions and Answers

What are the four demonstrative adjectives in English, and what do they indicate?

This, that, these, and those, which indicate a specific thing or person, or to emphasize something.

What is the difference between 'ese' and 'aquel' in Spanish?

'Ese' is used for something close to the listener, while 'aquel' is used for something further away from both the speaker and the listener.

What is the neuter demonstrative pronoun used for in Spanish, and how does it differ from other demonstrative adjectives?

The neuter demonstrative pronoun (esto, eso, aquello) is used for abstract ideas or when the gender of the noun is unknown, and it does not change form.

How do you choose the correct demonstrative adjective in Spanish, considering the noun's gender and number?

You choose the correct demonstrative adjective based on the noun's gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). Signup and view all the answers

What is the translation of 'Esa silla es pequeña'?

That chair is small (the chair is nearby). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'esto' and 'ése' in Spanish?

'Esto' is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used for abstract ideas or unknown genders, while 'ése' is a demonstrative adjective used for a masculine singular noun close to the listener. Signup and view all the answers

How do you say 'Those buildings are small' in Spanish, depending on the distance?

If the buildings are nearby, use 'Esos edificios son pequeños'; if they are further away, use 'Aquellas edificios son pequeños'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of demonstrative adjectives in Spanish, and how do they relate to the noun they describe?

Demonstrative adjectives indicate a specific thing or person, or emphasise something, and they must agree with the noun they describe in terms of gender and number. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Demonstrative Adjectives

This, that, these, and those are demonstrative adjectives used to indicate a specific thing or person, or to emphasize something.

Agreement with Nouns

Demonstrative adjectives must agree with the noun they are describing in Spanish.

Forms of That and Those

There are two distinct forms for that and those in Spanish:
- Nearby: ese (that) and esos (those) for masculine singular and plural, respectively
- Further away: aquel (that) and aquellos (those) for masculine singular and plural, respectively
For feminine singular and plural, the forms are respectively:
- Nearby: esa and esas
- Further away: aquella and aquellas

Demonstrative Adjective Forms

Masculine singular: este, ese, aquel
Feminine singular: esta, esa, aquella
Masculine plural: estos, esos, aquellos
Feminine plural: estas, es-as, aquellas

Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns

Used for abstract ideas or when the gender of the noun is unknown: esto, eso, aquello
Do not change form

Worked Examples

Este libro es interesante (This book is interesting): "este" is used because "libro" (book) is masculine and singular
Esa mujer es mi profesora (That woman is my teacher): "esa" is used because "mujer" (woman) is feminine and singular
Aquellos estudiantes son inteligentes (Those students over there are smart): "aquellos" is used because "estudiantes" (students) is masculine and plural
Me encantan estas flores (I love these flowers): "estas" is used because "flores" (flowers) is feminine and plural
¿Qué es eso? (What is that?): "eso" is used as a neuter form to refer to an unknown object or idea