Demonstrative Adjectives

What is meant by demonstrative adjectives?

When it comes to the question- what is demonstrative adjective, let us inform you that demonstrative adjectives are specifically used to modify the noun or pronoun in English sentences. The main application of these is to describe the position of someone or something in space or time. 

A demonstrative adjective is mostly mentioned before the noun or pronoun used in the English sentences to signify the noun or pronoun which are being modified. 

The meaning of demonstrative adjectives both in French and English is the same. The demonstrative adjectives in French is referred to as adjectifs demonstratifs. 

What are different types of demonstrative adjectives?

Now that you know what is demonstrative adjective, it’s time to learn about its types. There are four main types of demonstrative adjectives in English. Similar to English, demonstrative adjectives in French are of four types. Here mentioned are the main demonstrative adjectives:

• Demonstrative Adjective “This”

This particular demonstrative adjective is used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects closely associated with the speaker.

• Demonstrative Adjective “These”

This particular demonstrative adjective is also used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects closely associated with the speaker. You might be wondering then what is the difference between ‘This’ and ‘These’ demonstrative adjectives. ‘These’ is in the plural form, whereas, ‘This’ is in the singular form. 

• Demonstrative Adjective “That”

This particular demonstrative adjective is also used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects distant from the speaker. 

• Demonstrative Adjective “Those”

This particular demonstrative adjective is also used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects distant from the speaker. You might be wondering then what is the difference between ‘That’ and ‘Those’ demonstrative adjectives. ‘Those’ is in the plural form, whereas, ‘That’ is in the singular form. 

Mentioning the examples of demonstrative adjectives in the English sentence:

The below-mentioned are demonstrative adjectives examples:

• This dress looks really expensive. (Here ‘this’ is used as a demonstrative adjective which indicates that the dress is nearby. The individual might be wearing the dress.)
• Mansi’s wedding was grand; she will remember that day forever. (Here ‘that’ is used as a demonstrative adjective which indicates that the day happened in a time far from now.)
• These couple of Sundays should be enjoyable. (Here ‘these’ is used as a demonstrative adjective which indicates that the Sundays will occur in the coming days.)
• Those hard years were difficult for her. (Here ‘those’ is used as a demonstrative adjective which indicates that the years happened in the distant past.)

So, these were some demonstrative adjectives examples. 

How can you use demonstrative adjectives?

The following is the procedure of using demonstrative adjectives:

Near Group

The demonstrative adjectives “this” and “these” used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects closely associated with the speaker are referred to as ‘Near’ Demonstrative Adjectives. 

• Usage of ‘This’: This singular form of a demonstrative adjective is used for a person, an event that is happening currently or is nearby.

Example: This is my dress. 

• Usage of ‘These’: This plural form of a demonstrative adjective is used for a person, an event that is happening currently or is nearby.

Example: These are my accessories. 

Far Group

The demonstrative adjectives “that” and “those” used in the places that identify events, persons (nouns or pronouns), and objects distant from the speaker are referred to as ‘Near’ Demonstrative Adjectives. 

• Usage of ‘That’: This singular form of a demonstrative adjective is used for a person, an event that is far away or in the past.

Example: That is my car, parked at the end of the street.

• Usage of ‘Those’: This plural form of a demonstrative adjective is used for a person, an event that is far away or in the past.

Example: Those are not my accessories. 

Conclusion

The demonstrative adjectives are mainly used to denote a specific noun or pronoun which is being modified by the same. It helps the writer to define the focus of a reader by identifying the item, person, or event the writer needs to emphasize in his or her writings. There are four main types of demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, and those) that are used in English sentences. To get detailed information about demonstrative adjectives you should consider reading the above-mentioned guide.