Demonstrative Adjectives : Definition, List and Examples | By The Digital Insider

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative Adjectives

English grammar is a complex mechanism that helps us construct meaningful sentences for self-expression. To classify traditional English grammar, the parts of speech play a vital role. Just as the name suggests, we use these agencies to modify language into various types. 
Among the plethora of other processes that we use to classify or construct a sentence with, there are namely eight parts of speech in English grammar that are- the noun, the pronoun, the verb, the adverb, the adjective, the preposition, and the conjunction. In this article, we study the adjective and its very important type, known as the demonstrative adjective. 

Demonstrative Adjective

As known to everyone, an adjective is a describing word that bears some information about the noun or pronoun present in any sentence. Adjectives are destined information collectors that give the reader some idea about the noun or pronoun used, such as color, size, number, a certain quality, origin, etc. 

When speaking of a Demonstrative Adjective is known as a particular adjective with the role of a determiner. This adjective demonstrates or defines its position concerning the noun or pronoun in question. 

It usually describes how near or far the noun or pronoun is from it, utilizing words such as- this, that, these, and those. Therefore the Demonstrative adjectives act as signifiers of space and time in any given sentence.

Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives

Here is a list of 10 examples that break down the role of a Demonstrative adjective in a sentence:
1. Those shoes are very expensive.
2. That lady dressed in red is an actress.
3. Grab those mittens to shield your hands from the cold.
4. Put these dishes on the shelf.
5. That shark is the longest-living of its kind.
6. This kind of workout is enough to keep you fit.
7. These snacks are for your daughter.
8. Can you see that fence above the hill?
9. Are those flowers near the gate yours?
10. Those times were rough but meaningful.

Demonstrative Adjectives Vs. Demonstrative Pronouns

Sometimes due to the lack of clarification, we often mistake a demonstrative pronoun for a demonstrative adjective. Here are the apparent distinctive factors between them.

Demonstrative Adjective

An adjective is a word that defines the noun or pronoun; hence, they depend on the noun or pronoun for it to validate the sentence’s meaning. The demonstrative adjectives are this, that, these, and those. They play an important role in modifying nouns or replaying its description to the readers.
Example: These flowers smell nice.
Explanation: Here, the word ‘these’ refers to the flowers kept near the speaker. It signifies the distance from the speaker and also conveys that the flowers smell good.

Demonstrative Pronoun

A pronoun is a component of the Part of Speech that replaces the noun as and when required. It is used in place of a specific thing or person that is understood from the previous context. The types of demonstrative pronouns are- this, that, these, and those. 
However, unlike the demonstrative adjectives, these are standalone words that do not depend on the other words for context.
Example: These smell nice.
Explanation: Here, as compared to the example of demonstrative adjectives, the subject is not mentioned, but the sentence seems to say that the ‘previously mentioned’ subject smell good. Hence, they stand alone and bear meaning nonetheless. 

List of Demonstrative Adjectives of All Tenses

Four types of Demonstrative Adjectives are divided into the Singular and Plural tenses.

Singular

This and That
Example: This is my new uniform for school.
That is my favorite candy shop.

Plural

These and Those
Example: These cakes are freshly baked by Britney
Those candles are the ones we go on a trip to San Francisco.

Check Your Understanding of Demonstrative Adjective

Let’s break down the descriptions and recap in points:
• Demonstrative adjectives are used to characterize an item’s physical location in relation to the speaker. 
• This and that change singular nouns, whereas these and those modify plural nouns.
• The second most common use of demonstrative adjectives is to allude to specific points in time. 
• They serve as descriptors for the nouns and pronouns used in each phrase.

Frequently Asked Questions on Demonstrative Adjectives in English

Que 1. What are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Ans. Parts of speech are essential in classifying conventional English grammar. Adjectives are information collectors that provide the observer with information about the noun or pronoun. Demonstrative It is recognized as an exceptional adjective with the function of a determiner. This adjective shows or defines its relationship to the noun or pronoun under consideration.

Que 2. What is the definition of a Demonstrative adjective?

Ans. A Demonstrative adjective is a descriptor of the noun or pronoun in a sentence that describes the attributes of the noun and conveys the distance of the noun or pronoun from the speaker, therefore clarifying the difference in space and time, which makes it essential to the English language.

Que 3. Give some examples of Demonstrative adjective

Ans. Some examples of Demonstrative Adjectives include:
1. That perfume reminds me of my mother.
2. This book is everything I imagined.
3. Those branches look fresh and alive after the rain.
4. These apples are crunchy and tasty.

Que 4. Why use Demonstrative Adjectives?

Ans. Demonstrative pronouns make it simpler to speak English. We appear more natural when we use words like this, that, these and those rather than repeating the title of a noun or pronoun in a sentence, which makes them a crucial part of the English grammar. 

Que 5. How to find a Demonstrative adjective in a sentence?

Ans. When looking for a Demonstrative adjective in a sentence, you need to know that it emphasizes the subject or object performing or getting the action in the sentence. Therefore, it has to be a describing word defining the characteristics of the noun or pronoun present in a sentence.

Que 6. Why Demonstrative Adjectives Are Important?

Ans. Demonstrative adjectives are descriptors or determiners used to identify or convey a noun’s relative location in time or space. A demonstrative adjective precedes all other words in the sentence and adds some weight to its meaning by giving us hints about the qualities and position of the noun or pronouns used.


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