Demonstratives
Demonstratives are words that indicate or point to specific persons or things in relation to the speaker and listener. They help in identifying and distinguishing objects or entities in space or time. The four primary demonstratives are:
1. **This:** Used to indicate a singular object or entity that is close to the speaker, either physically or in time.
– Example: “This book is interesting.” (The book is close to the speaker.)
2. **That:** Used to indicate a singular object or entity that is farther away from the speaker, either physically or in time.
– Example: “That house across the street is for sale.” (The house is farther from the speaker.)
3. **These:** Used to indicate plural objects or entities that are close to the speaker.
– Example: “These apples are fresh.” (The apples are close to the speaker.)
4. **Those:** Used to indicate plural objects or entities that are farther away from the speaker.
– Example: “Those birds in the sky are migrating.” (The birds are farther from the speaker.)
In summary, demonstratives such as “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” help in specifying and pointing out particular objects or entities in relation to the speaker’s position or context.
this
“This” is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate or point to a singular object or entity that is close to the speaker, either physically or in time. It is often used to refer to something that is nearby or immediate in context. Here are a couple of examples:
1. “This is my favorite restaurant.” (The restaurant is nearby or easily accessible to the speaker.)
2. “I’ll take this one.” (Referring to a specific item that the speaker is physically close to.)
In both examples, “this” is used to identify or refer to something that is in close proximity to the speaker.
**Rules:**
1. **Proximity:** “This” is used to refer to a singular object or entity that is close to the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Singular:** “This” is always used with singular nouns.
3. **Placement:** “This” is placed before the noun it refers to.
**Purpose:**
1. **Pointing out:** The primary purpose of “this” is to point out or identify a specific object or entity that is nearby or immediate in context.
2. **Clarity:** It helps in clarifying which object or entity the speaker is referring to, especially in situations where there are multiple options or possibilities.
**Exceptions:**
1. **Plural Objects:** “This” is not used with plural nouns. In such cases, “these” is used instead. For example, “These books are interesting.”
2. **Time:** While “this” typically refers to objects or entities that are physically close, it can also refer to events or moments that are immediate or current in time. For example, “This moment is unforgettable.”
3. **Formality:** In some formal contexts, especially in academic or technical writing, “this” may be replaced with more formal alternatives such as “the following” or “the aforementioned.”
Overall, “this” serves the purpose of indicating proximity and specificity, helping to clarify the referent in a sentence and making communication more precise.
that
**Rules:**
1. **Proximity:** “That” is used to refer to a singular object or entity that is farther away from the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Singular:** “That” is always used with singular nouns.
3. **Placement:** “That” is placed before the noun it refers to.
**Purpose:**
1. **Indicating Distance:** The primary purpose of “that” is to indicate or point out a specific object or entity that is farther away from the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Clarity:** It helps in clarifying which object or entity the speaker is referring to, especially when the referent is not immediately present or visible.
**Exceptions:**
1. **Plural Objects:** “That” is not used with plural nouns. In such cases, “those” is used instead. For example, “Those houses are beautiful.”
2. **Time:** Similar to “this,” “that” can also refer to events or moments that are not immediate but are still relevant in the context. For example, “That day changed my life.”
3. **Formality:** In formal contexts, “that” may be replaced with more formal alternatives such as “the following” or “the aforementioned.”
Overall, “that” serves the purpose of indicating distance and specificity, helping to clarify the referent in a sentence and making communication more precise.
these
**Rules:**
1. **Proximity:** “These” is used to refer to plural objects or entities that are close to the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Plural:** “These” is always used with plural nouns.
3. **Placement:** “These” is placed before the noun it refers to.
**Purpose:**
1. **Indicating Proximity:** The primary purpose of “these” is to indicate or point out plural objects or entities that are close to the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Clarity:** It helps in clarifying which objects or entities the speaker is referring to, especially when there are multiple options or possibilities.
**Exceptions:**
1. **Singular Objects:** “These” is not used with singular nouns. In such cases, “this” is used instead. For example, “This book is interesting.”
2. **Distance:** While “these” typically refers to objects or entities that are physically close, it can also refer to events or moments that are immediate or current in time. For example, “These days are stressful.”
3. **Formality:** In formal contexts, “these” may be replaced with more formal alternatives such as “the following” or “the aforementioned.”
Overall, “these” serves the purpose of indicating proximity and plurality, helping to clarify the referents in a sentence and making communication more precise.
those
**Rules:**
1. **Proximity:** “Those” is used to refer to plural objects or entities that are farther away from the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Plural:** “Those” is always used with plural nouns.
3. **Placement:** “Those” is placed before the noun it refers to.
**Purpose:**
1. **Indicating Distance:** The primary purpose of “those” is to indicate or point out plural objects or entities that are farther away from the speaker, either physically or in time.
2. **Clarity:** It helps in clarifying which objects or entities the speaker is referring to, especially when the referents are not immediately present or visible.
**Exceptions:**
1. **Singular Objects:** “Those” is not used with singular nouns. In such cases, “that” is used instead. For example, “That house is beautiful.”
2. **Proximity:** While “those” typically refers to objects or entities that are physically distant, it can also refer to events or moments that are not immediate but are still relevant in the context. For example, “Those days were the best of my life.”
3. **Formality:** In formal contexts, “those” may be replaced with more formal alternatives such as “the following” or “the aforementioned.”
Overall, “those” serves the purpose of indicating distance and plurality, helping to clarify the referents in a sentence and making communication more precise.
Worksheet
**Demonstratives Worksheet**
**Instructions:**
Fill in the blanks with “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those” based on the context of the sentence.
1. ____________ is my favorite song.
2. ____________ movie was amazing!
3. Can you pass ____________ book, please?
4. I can’t believe ____________ happened.
5. ____________ flowers in the garden are beautiful.
6. ____________ cake looks delicious.
7. Did you see ____________ new car?
8. ____________ trees are blocking the view.
9. ____________ pen is not working.
10. I’ll take ____________ one, please.
11. ____________ days are getting longer.
12. ____________ book you recommended was fantastic.
13. Can you help me with ____________ problem?
14. I remember ____________ feeling so happy.
15. Have you tried ____________ new restaurant downtown?
16. ____________ children are playing in the park.
17. I love ____________ painting on the wall.
18. ____________ phone call was unexpected.
19. ____________ are the best memories of my childhood.
20. Look at ____________ cute puppies!
21. ____________ movie is too scary for me.
22. Can you bring me ____________ glass of water?
23. ____________ shoes are too tight.
24. ____________ jacket is too small for me.
25. I’ll never forget ____________ moment.
**Answers:**
1. This
2. That
3. This
4. That
5. These
6. This
7. That
8. Those
9. This
10. That
11. These
12. That
13. This
14. That
15. That
16. Those
17. That
18. That
19. Those
20. These
21. That
22. That
23. These
24. That
25. That
Challenging worksheet
**More Challenging Demonstratives Worksheet**
**Instructions:**
Fill in the blanks with “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those” based on the context of the sentence.
1. ____________ is the book I was telling you about.
2. ____________ painting in the gallery caught my eye.
3. Can you believe ____________ weather we’re having?
4. ____________ mountains in the distance are stunning.
5. I’m not sure if I like ____________ color for the walls.
6. Have you seen ____________ new movie yet?
7. ____________ people at the party seem familiar.
8. ____________ song always brings back memories.
9. I can’t believe ____________ happened last night.
10. ____________ jacket you’re wearing looks stylish.
11. ____________ documents on the table need to be signed.
12. Can you show me ____________ pictures you took on vacation?
13. ____________ restaurant we went to last week had delicious food.
14. ____________ idea is worth considering.
15. ____________ dog in the park is so cute!
**Answers:**
1. This
2. That
3. This
4. Those
5. That
6. That
7. Those
8. That
9. That
10. That
11. Those
12. Those
13. That
14. That
15. That
In conclusion, demonstratives such as “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” play a crucial role in language by helping to specify and distinguish objects, people, or ideas in relation to the speaker and the listener. By indicating proximity and plurality, these words aid in clarifying communication and providing context. Whether used in everyday conversations, writing, or presentations, demonstratives serve as invaluable tools for effective expression and clear understanding. Thus, mastering their usage enhances language proficiency and fosters more precise communication.
