#8 - Demonstrative Determiners - English Grammar

Determiners are used to modify nouns. They are used to identify nouns in more detail. There are four demonstratives: this, these, that, those. Demonstratives are used to state the distance of what the speaker is referring to.

"This", "That", "These", "Those" are used when referring to something specific. Demonstrative determiners are always followed by a noun. "This" and "That" are followed by a singular noun. "These" and "Those" are followed by plural nouns.

Demonstrative Determiners: This or These

"This" and "These" are used when referring to something close to the speaker. "This" is followed by a singular noun. "These" is followed by a plural noun.

This car is very expensive.
This dress is too big for me.
This book is very good.
This house is old.
These cars were stolen.
These shoes are very uncomfortable.
These dogs are friendly.
These apples are tasty.

Demonstrative Determiners: That or Those

"That" and "Those" are used when referring to something far from the speaker. "That" is followed by a singular noun. "Those" is followed by a plural noun.

That house was built forty years ago.
That woman is my neighbor.
That animal is dangerous.
That jacket is not mine.
Those people are blocking traffic.
Those flowers are beautiful.
Those parking spaces are reserved.
Those stores are expensive.