Demonstrative adjectives come before a noun to point out which specific person, place, thing, or idea is being mentioned. They answer the question, “Which one?”
- This and these refer to things close to the speaker (nearby in distance or time).
- That and those refer to things farther away from the speaker (in distance or time).
- This and that are singular.
- These and those are plural.
Examples
| Demonstrative Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| This | This* book is interesting. |
| That | That* car is fast. |
| These | These* apples are fresh. |
| Those | Those* shoes are old. |
Summary
- Demonstrative adjectives must be followed by a noun.
- They specify which noun you are talking about.
- They show whether the noun is near or far and whether it is singular or plural.
- They help make your meaning clear and precise.
Which demonstrative adjective should you use for plural nouns that are far from the speaker?
Those
Those is used for plural nouns that are far away from the speaker. These is for plural nouns nearby, while This and That are singular.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
