Demonstrative Adjectives Guide

Definition and Function

• Demonstrative adjectives point out specific nouns.
• They indicate the proximity or distance of the noun to the speaker.
• They function to identify which noun is being referred to in a sentence.
• They are used before nouns.

Types of Demonstrative Adjectives

• this: Used for things near the speaker.
• that: Used for things distant from the speaker.
• these: Used for several things near the speaker.
• those: Used for several things distant from the speaker.

Usage Examples

• This book is interesting. (Book is near the speaker)
• That house is beautiful. (House is far from the speaker)
• These apples are ripe. (Apples are near the speaker)
• Those cars are expensive. (Cars are far from the speaker)

Distinguishing between "this/that" and "these/those"

• The choice between "this/that" and "these/those" depends on the number of nouns being described.
• "This" and "that" are singular.
• "These" and "those" are plural.

Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns

• Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns.
• Demonstrative pronouns function as nouns and replace nouns.
• This book is mine. (This is the adjective, book is the noun.)
• This is mine. (This is the pronoun)

Proximity and Distance

• The terms "near" and "far" are relative and depend on the speaker's point of view.
• Whether something is near or far depends both on its physical distance and the speaker's contextual understanding.

Role in Discourse

• Demonstrative adjectives direct the listener's attention to specific aspects of the discussion.
• They help establish context or refer to previously mentioned objects.
• They help maintain the continuity of conversations and writing without repeating the noun every time it is necessary.

Comparison with other identifying words

• Demonstrative adjectives differ from possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) as they do not show ownership.
• They differ from articles (a, an, the) as they identify specific nouns rather than general nouns.

Common Errors and Avoiding Them

• Incorrect usage of singular/plural forms can result in awkward or unclear sentences.
• Not considering the physical or contextual distance between the speaker and the noun can lead to misunderstandings

Advanced Uses

• Demonstrative adjectives can be used to draw attention to a particular idea or concept in a sentence.
• They are used in more sophisticated ways to specify exact aspects and maintain discourse continuity in both writing and conversation.
• They can be used within a wider variety of contexts beyond simple object identification.

Explore the world of demonstrative adjectives in this quiz. You'll learn about their definition, function, and the different types including 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'. Test your understanding with examples and usage distinctions.