Have you heard of demonstrative adjectives? Do you have any idea what they are, and how they are used? Let us find out.
This article will help you with the meaning of demonstrative adjectives, their usage and examples. Check out the topics given below to know more.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Demonstrative Adjective?
- Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives
- Difference between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns
- Check Your Understanding of Demonstrative Adjectives
- Frequently Asked Questions on Demonstrative Adjectives
What Is a Demonstrative Adjective?
As the name suggests, a demonstrative adjective is an adjective that can be used to specifically describe the position of someone or something.
Definition of a Demonstrative Adjective
According to the Collins Dictionary, the word ‘demonstrative’ is defined as “a word or morpheme pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class.” A demonstrative adjective, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as a word that is “used to identify the person or thing that is being referred to”.
Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives
In the English language, ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’ and ‘those’ are used as demonstrative adjectives. Have a look at the sentences given below to understand how demonstrative adjectives can be used.
- This hospital was where I was born.
- I am not in a situation to lend you money at this moment.
- The ambience of this cafe is soothing.
- That boy was the one who won the first prize in the Inter-state singing competition.
- Can you send those packages to the store?
Difference between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns
Let us find out what makes demonstrative adjectives different from demonstrative pronouns.
| Demonstrative Adjectives | Demonstrative Pronouns |
| Demonstrative adjectives are used in order to describe or specify an object. | Demonstrative pronouns, on the other hand, are used instead of a noun. It points out to the subject or object doing or receiving the action in the sentence. |
| Examples of demonstrative adjectives are this, that, these and those. Their position and function in a sentence is what differentiates them from demonstrative pronouns. | Examples of demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these and those. |
| Eg: Can I take this bag to put in all my clothes?
Here, ‘this’ describes the bag. |
Eg: You can take this to put in all your clothes.
Here, ‘this’ is the demonstrative pronoun that substitutes the noun ‘bag’. |
Check Your Understanding of Demonstrative Adjectives
Fill in the blanks with the most suitable demonstrative adjective in the following sentences.
1. _______ house right there is the one we are planning to buy.
2. _______ movie we are watching now is really interesting.
3. All __________ students who had scored 100 in Maths and Science last year were awarded with gold medals and cash prizes.
4. Do you see ______ tree? There is an eagle’s nest on top of it.
5. _______ computer you see here has not been working properly for a few weeks now. I guess I have to buy a new one.
6. ________ mangoes on the table here are ripe. You can have them.
7. Did you bring _______ cake for me?
8. If you were given a choice, would you choose _______ ukulele here, or _______ guitar over there?
9. _________ building over there was constructed after our ancestral house was demolished.
10. What is the name of _________ PG you were staying at last year?
Check your answers from the sentences given below to find out if you have answered them correctly.
1. That house right there is the one we are planning to buy.
2. This movie we are watching now is really interesting.
3. All those students who had scored 100 in Maths and Science last year were awarded with gold medals and cash prizes.
4. Do you see that tree? There is an eagle’s nest on top of it.
5. This computer you see here has not been working properly for a few weeks now. I guess I have to buy a new one.
6. These mangoes on the table here are ripe. You can have them.
7. Did you bring this cake for me?
8. If you were given a choice, would you choose this ukulele here, or that guitar over there?
9. That building over there was constructed after our ancestral house was demolished.
10. What is the name of that PG you were staying at last year?
Frequently Asked Questions on Demonstrative Adjectives
What is a Demonstrative Adjective?
A demonstrative adjective, as the name suggests, can be used to specifically describe the position of someone or something.
What is the definition of a demonstrative adjective?
According to the Collins Dictionary, the word ‘demonstrative’ is defined as “a word or morpheme pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class.” A demonstrative adjective, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as a word that is “used to identify the person or thing that is being referred to”.
Give some examples of demonstrative adjectives.
This, that, these and those are the only demonstrative adjectives in the English language.
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