Demonstrative Determiners: Definition, Examples, Exercise

Understanding Demonstrative Determiners

To start with, demonstrative determiners are words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” which come before a noun in a sentence to point out what exactly you are referring to. These are a type of determiners in grammar that are mainly used to tell what you are talking about by showing distance (near vs. far) and number (singular vs. plural).

Another way to put the definition of demonstrative determiners more simply is that they modify a noun. This type of determiner also helps in answering “which one?” and distinguishes the noun from others. For example, “this table is really old,” or “these clothes are cheap.”

How to Use Demonstrative Determiners: Rules and Usage?

The main rule of using demonstrative determiners in a sentence is that they always come before the noun they modify and that they do not have any gender. Another important rule is to know where to use which determiner. This includes:

• This is used when the noun is single and is either physically or conceptually closer to the speaker within the clause.
• That is used to point out when the noun is single and is physically or conceptually away from the speaker.
• These are used when the noun is plural and is closer to the speaker, either physically or conceptually.
• Lastly, those are used when the noun is plural and is physically and conceptually far from the speaker.

Let’s take a look at 10 examples of demonstrative determiners sentences:

1. This diary is not mine.
2. This place does not feel the same.
3. That concert was boring.
4. That car was missing a wheel.
5. These candies are really good.
6. These days, I am a little busy.
7. Those memories are a little vague.
8. Those chocolates were the best.
9. That movie had a bad ending.
10. These books are for sale.

Demonstrative Determiners vs. Demonstrative Pronouns

Most people get confused when it comes to demonstratives and end up mixing demonstrative pronouns with determiners. To avoid this confusion, the main thing to keep in mind is that the Demonstrative determiners come before the noun. Whereas demonstrative pronouns can replace the noun and stand alone. For example:

• Demonstrative determiner: That book is thrilling
• Demonstrative pronoun: That is thrilling

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Demonstrative Determiners

When forming demonstrative determiners sentences, there are a few common mistakes that you should try to avoid. These include:

1. Using "this" or "that" with plural nouns, or "these" or "those" with singular nouns.
2. Omitting the noun and using demonstrative determiners without a noun when the context is unclear.
3. Confusing demonstrative and using determiners when demonstrative pronouns are needed (and vice versa).
4. Using singular demonstratives with uncountable nouns incorrectly.

Examples of Demonstrative Determiners Sentences

Do you know that the demonstrative determiner has also been a huge part of classic English literature? They were consistently used to guide the attention of the reader and provide a sense of presence and distance, both physically and mentally.

There are many famous demonstrative determiners examples in classic literature, and one of them is from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: “For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation...”

Here, the demonstrative determiner is not just referencing the creature, but is also showing the weight and consequence of Victor’s obsession, making it feel immediate and personal. With this, below are some examples of demonstrative determiners in simple sentences, so that you can understand their placement and use cases.

Demonstrative Determiners Worksheet with Answers

Here is a demonstrative determiners worksheet with two different exercises for you to solve. This will help you solidify your understanding of demonstratives and provide structured practice:

Exercise 1: Correct the Mistakes

Each of the sentences below has one or more mistakes related to demonstrative determiners. You need to identify them and make the sentence correct.

1. These kind of music doesn’t appeal to everyone.
2. That are the shoes I told you about yesterday.
3. I can’t lift this boxes without your help.
4. This chairs need to be fixed before the party.
5. Those is a difficult concept to understand.
6. These necklace belongs to my grandmother.
7. I think I prefer that cookies over these.
8. Look at that children playing in the park.
9. This are my notes from the lecture.
10. I’ll take these one, please.

Answes

1. This kind of music doesn’t appeal to everyone.
2. Those are the shoes I told you about yesterday.
3. I can’t lift these boxes without your help.
4. These chairs need to be fixed before the party.
5. That is a difficult concept to understand.
6. This necklace belongs to my grandmother.
7. I think I prefer those cookies over these.
8. Look at those children playing in the park.
9. These are my notes from the lecture.
10. I’ll take this one, please.

Exercise 2: Fill in The Blanks

In this second exercise of the demonstrative determiners worksheet, you will have to place the correct determiner in the space of the sentence.

1. I don’t like __________ shoes; they’re too tight.
2. Can you hand me __________ book on the table near you?
3. __________ apples in the basket are fresh and juicy.
4. Look at __________ mountain in the distance!
5. __________ is my favorite jacket.
6. Do you see __________ birds flying over the lake?
7. __________ pencil in your hand is mine.
8. I’m not sure about __________ idea you just mentioned.
9. I’ll take __________ cookies from the plate here.
10. __________ days were the best of my life.

Answers

1. Those
2. That
3. These
4. That
5. This
6. Those
7. That
8. That
9. These
10. Those

Conclusion

In Conclusion, demonstrative determiners are not just important when it comes to indicating the noun and showing its proximity and number. But it also helps improve clarity in a sentence, create emphasis, and contribute to the overall flow and meaning of the text. If you want to know more about other English grammar structures, then you can connect with our experts from Gradding and get tailored online english classes and assistance! Connect Today!

FAQs

1. What is a Demonstrative Determiner with an Example?

Demonstrative determiners are a type of determiner that are used to point out a specific noun or a noun phrase in a sentence and modify it. These also help in showing if the noun is closer or farther from the speaker. The most common types of demonstrative determiners are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

2. What are the Four Demonstrative Determiners?

The four main types of demonstrative determiners/adjectives are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” Here, “this” and “these” are used to show nouns which are closer to the speaker, for example “, these candies are really good”. Whereas, "that" and "those" are used to show nouns that are far from the speaker, for example “, those candies were really good.”

3. How to use Demonstrative Determiners in a Sentence?

To use demonstrative determiners in a sentence, you need to place them before a noun. Additionally, you also have to pay attention to both the number and proximity. For example:

• “This” is used for nouns that are near and singular
• “That” is used for nouns that are far and singular
• “These” is used for nouns that are near and plural
• “Those” is used for nouns that are far and plural

4. How are Demonstrative Determiners Different from Other Types of Determiners?

Demonstrative determiners are different from other types of determiners because they show proximity, number, and answer “Which one(s)?” However, other determiners are used to show quantity, ownership, and definiteness.