Demonstrative Adjectives
Learn how to use demonstratives - this, that, these, those - in English as adjectives before nouns.
Answer the following grammar questions.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Point 1: Use this and that for singular nouns.
- I like this shirt. (close to speaker)
- I don't like that shirt. (away from speaker)
- Look at that car! (away from speaker)
- This bike is nice! (close to speaker)
Point 2: Use these and those for plural nouns.
- These jeans are too tight! (close to speaker)
- Try those jeans.(away from speaker)
- Are these your books? (close to speaker)
- No, those books over there are mine. (away from speaker)
Point 3: Speakers sometimes do not mention the noun if the object is clear.
- Do you like this shirt?
- Do you like this?
- What are these items?
- What are these?
Demonstrative Pronouns
Point 1: Use this and that for singular nouns. This refers to objects closer to the speaker.
- I like this shirt. (close to speaker)
- I don't like that shirt. (away from speaker)
- Look at that car! (away from speaker)
- This bike is nice! (close to speaker)
Point 2: Use these and those for plural nouns. This refers to objects closer to the speaker.
- These jeans are too tight!
- Try those jeans.
- Are these your books?
- No, those books over there are my books.
Point 3: Speakers sometimes do not mention the noun if the object is clear.
- Do you like this shirt?
- Do you like this? (Holding shirt)
- What are these items?
- What are these?
Point 4: After using demonstratives, we often use pronouns subject/object to reference them.
- Do you like these?
- Yes, I like them. They are cool.
- What is this?
- It's a coffee maker. I use it a lot.
About the Teacher
My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Thailand. I created this site to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.