LoginDemonstrative Determiners
In this lesson, master demonstrative determiners, which provide detailed information about specific nouns. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Demonstrative Determiners?
Demonstrative determiner is a type of determiner that is used to point to a specific noun or noun phrase and specify its number and distance. They help to identify the noun that is being referred to in a sentence.
English Demonstrative Determiners
There are four demonstrative determiners in English which agree with the noun they modify in terms of number and mark it as definite:
Demonstrative Determiners: Usage
A demonstrative determiner can tell us about the location of something relative to the speaker's position; they show how near or far something is in terms of place or time.
Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
near | this | these |
far | that | those |
This chair is empty. You can sit here.
That man over there is my teacher.
These days I'm trying to exercise more.
When used to refer to time, 'these' refers to a time in or near the present.
How much are those apples at the back?
Demonstrative determiners can also serve an anaphoric function. In other words, they can refer back to a concept or entity previously mentioned, without necessary indicating distance. For example:
He's been acting strange lately and this change in his behavior worries me.
I suggested we leave the shelter but they didn't like that idea.
Demonstrative Determiners vs. Demonstrative Pronouns
'This,' 'that,' 'these' and 'those' can act as both demonstrative determiners and demonstrative pronouns. The difference between them is:
A demonstrative determiner always comes with a noun.
A demonstrative pronoun always comes alone and is not accompanied by a noun.
Compare the following examples:
That is my son over there, Sam.
'That' as a demonstrative pronoun
That boy over there is my son Sam.
'That' as a demonstrative determiner
Someone left their shoes. Whose are these?
'These' as a demonstrative pronoun
Whose are these shoes?
'These' as a demonstrative determiner
This is a very interesting idea.
'This' as a demonstrative pronoun
This idea is very interesting.
'This' as a demonstrative determiner
I want those glasses. Those are gorgeous.
Here, the first 'those' is a determiner because it is followed by a noun. However, the second 'those' is a pronoun because it stands alone.
Review
Demonstrative determiners are similar to demonstrative pronouns, the only difference between them is that determiners must be followed by nouns. Demonstrative determiners show the number and spatial or temporal distance relative to the speaker:
Number | Distance | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
This | singular | near | This book shares different feelings of mothers. |
That | singular | far | That man is the manager of the school. |
These | plural | near | These paper clips help you divide the book's chapters. |
Those | plural | far | I don't know those people, but they seem friendly. |
Quiz:
Which sentence uses a demonstrative determiner correctly for physical distance?
This trees need more water to survive the drought.
That sculptures near the entrance were created by students.
Those mountains in the distance look beautiful at sunset.
These bird across the street is building a nest.
Match each demonstrative determiner to the correct description.
Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative determiner to refer to a time period near the present?
This decade was full of innovation and cultural change.
These weeks have been very stressful at work.
Those holidays we took years ago were unforgettable.
That morning, everything seemed to go wrong.
Complete each sentence using the appropriate demonstrative pronoun.
shoes by the door belong to my sister.
cookies are still warm. Do you want one?
mountain in the distance is Mount Fuji.
project needs more research.
Read each sentence and decide whether the demonstrative word is used as a determiner or a pronoun.
That car is blocking the driveway. | |
These are mine, not yours. | |
I really like this painting on the wall. | |
That decision changed everything. | |
Those are the people I told you about. |
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