Demonstrative Determiners

In English grammar, demonstrative determiners are words used to point out specific nouns. They tell the listener or reader whether the noun being referred to is close to or far from the speaker, and whether it is singular or plural.

The four demonstrative determiners in English are This, That, These, and Those.

The Distance & Number Rule

To choose the correct demonstrative determiner, you must check two factors:

  1. Physical or Temporal Distance: Is the object near or far?
  2. Grammatical Number: Is the noun singular or plural?

This relationship is summarized in the matrix below:

DistanceSingular NounsPlural Nouns
Near (Close to the speaker)ThisThese
Far (Away from the speaker)ThatThose

Examples:

  • This apple (near, singular) is sweet.
  • These apples (near, plural) are sweet.
  • That car (far, singular) is expensive.
  • Those cars (far, plural) are expensive.

Common Uses of Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners are not only used for physical objects in space. They are also used to refer to time and ideas:

1. Physical Space (Location)

  • Can you pass me this book? (The book is next to the speaker).
  • Look at those clouds in the sky. (The clouds are high up and far away).

2. Time (Temporal Distance)

A. This / These: Refers to the present, upcoming events, or current experiences.

  • This weekend is going to be busy. (The upcoming weekend).
  • I am very happy these days. (Current time period).

B. That / Those: Refers to the past or completed periods of time.

  • That summer was the best time of my life. (A past summer).
  • In those days, we didn’t have smartphones. (Past time period).

3. Ideas and Statements

  • I disagree with that opinion. (Referring to an opinion previously stated by someone else).
  • Listen to this plan. (Introducing a new plan to be stated next).

Demonstrative Determiners vs. Demonstrative Pronouns

It is easy to confuse demonstrative determiners with demonstrative pronouns because they use the exact same words (this, that, these, those). However, their positions in sentences are different:

  • Demonstrative Determiner: Placed directly before a noun.
    • I like this shirt. (Here, this is a determiner modifying the noun shirt).
  • Demonstrative Pronoun: Stands alone, replacing the noun entirely.
    • I like this. (Here, this stands alone as the object of the verb like).

Complete Sentence Examples

Here are more examples in different contexts:

  1. This laptop is faster than my old one.
  2. Who left these papers on my desk?
  3. That movie we watched last night was amazing.
  4. I want to buy those shoes displayed in the window.
  5. We had a great time this morning.
  6. Remember those stories Grandma used to tell us?
  7. I don’t understand these instructions at all.
  8. How much is that dress over there?