What is it?
Adjectives describe nouns. They give more information about a person, place, thing, or idea.
Common adjectives describe qualities such as size, color, age, shape, or opinion.
Examples:
- a small house
- a red bag
- an old car
- a friendly teacher
Demonstrative adjectives point to specific nouns. They are:
- this
- that
- these
- those
A demonstrative adjective always comes before a noun.
Examples:
- this book
- that building
- these shoes
- those people
When to use
Use common adjectives to describe what a noun is like.
Examples:
- a beautiful garden
- a difficult question
- a cold morning
Use demonstrative adjectives to show which person or thing you mean.
Use this for one person or thing that is near.
- this chair
Use that for one person or thing that is farther away.
- that chair
Use these for two or more people or things that are near.
- these chairs
Use those for two or more people or things that are farther away.
- those chairs
Demonstrative adjectives can also show whether something feels close or distant in time.
- this week
- that day
- these months
- those years
Structure
Common adjectives before nouns
The usual structure is:
article or determiner + adjective + noun
| Determiner | Adjective | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| a | small | room |
| an | interesting | idea |
| the | blue | door |
| my | new | phone |
Common adjectives do not change for singular or plural nouns.
- a small box
- two small boxes
Common adjectives after linking verbs
Adjectives can also come after verbs such as be, look, feel, seem, and become.
The structure is:
subject + linking verb + adjective
- The room is small.
- She looks tired.
- The water feels cold.
Demonstrative adjectives
The structure is:
demonstrative adjective + noun
| Distance | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Near | this book | these books |
| Far | that book | those books |
Use this and that with singular nouns.
- this apple
- that person
Use these and those with plural nouns.
- these apples
- those people
A demonstrative adjective can come before another adjective.
The structure is:
demonstrative adjective + common adjective + noun
- this old house
- that blue car
- these new shoes
- those large buildings
Examples
- She has a beautiful voice.
- This coffee is very hot.
- That tall man is my neighbor.
- These fresh apples taste good.
- Those old buildings are empty.
- We live in a small apartment.
- This difficult question needs more time.
- I do not like that loud music.
- These comfortable chairs are new.
- Those children look happy.
Exceptions
Some adjectives usually come after the noun or pronoun they describe.
- something useful
- someone special
- the people responsible
Some adjectives are commonly used after a linking verb and are not normally placed directly before a noun.
- The child is asleep.
- She is afraid.
Demonstrative adjectives must match the noun in number.
- this book
- these books
- that car
- those cars
Common mistakes
-
Incorrect: this books Correct: these books Explanation: Use these with plural nouns.
-
Incorrect: those car Correct: that car Explanation: Use that with a singular noun.
-
Incorrect: a car red Correct: a red car Explanation: A common adjective usually comes before the noun.
-
Incorrect: these new shoe Correct: these new shoes Explanation: A plural demonstrative adjective needs a plural noun.
-
Incorrect: this is beautiful house Correct: this is a beautiful house Explanation: A singular countable noun usually needs an article or another determiner.
-
Incorrect: a olds building Correct: an old building Explanation: Adjectives do not take plural endings, and an is used before a vowel sound.
-
Incorrect: the room is coldly Correct: the room is cold Explanation: Use an adjective after the linking verb is.
-
Incorrect: that two houses Correct: those two houses Explanation: Use those with plural nouns.