Grammar Guide

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They give more information about a person, place, thing, or idea.

Some adjectives describe qualities, such as big, happy, or old. These are called common adjectives.

Demonstrative adjectives point to a specific noun. English has four demonstrative adjectives:

Demonstrative Use
this one thing near the speaker
that one thing farther away
these more than one thing near the speaker
those more than one thing farther away

Demonstrative adjectives are always followed by a noun.

When to use

Use common adjectives to describe:

size (big, small)
color (red, blue)
age (new, old)
opinion (good, beautiful)
condition (clean, dirty)
shape (round, long)
quantity (few, many)

Use demonstrative adjectives to identify which person or thing you are talking about.

Examples:

this book
that car
these shoes
those houses
Structure
Common adjectives
Pattern Example
adjective + noun a small house
be + adjective The house is small.
Demonstrative adjectives
Singular Plural
this + noun these + noun
that + noun those + noun

Examples:

Near Far
this chair that chair
these books those books

When more than one adjective is used, the demonstrative adjective comes first.

Correct
this old house
those beautiful flowers
Examples
This book is interesting.
That car is very fast.
These apples are fresh.
Those children are happy.
She has a small dog.
We live in a quiet street.
I like this blue shirt.
That old building is beautiful.
These new shoes are comfortable.
Those tall trees are beautiful.
Exceptions

Demonstrative adjectives must be followed by a noun.

Correct: this book
Incorrect: this (when no noun follows)

If the noun is omitted, this, that, these, and those become demonstrative pronouns, not adjectives.

Examples:

This book is mine. (adjective)
This is mine. (pronoun)

Some adjectives do not normally appear after be.

For example:

Correct: The child is asleep.
Incorrect: an asleep child.
Common mistakes
1. Wrong demonstrative for singular or plural

Incorrect: This books are new.

Correct: These books are new.

Explanation: Use this/that with singular nouns and these/those with plural nouns.

2. Missing noun after a demonstrative adjective

Incorrect: I like this.

Correct: I like this book.

Explanation: As an adjective, this must describe a noun.

3. Using "this" for something far away

Incorrect: This mountain is beautiful. (when the mountain is far away)

Correct: That mountain is beautiful.

Explanation: Use that/those for things farther away.

4. Wrong adjective position

Incorrect: A car red.

Correct: A red car.

Explanation: Most English adjectives come before the noun.

5. Using an adjective instead of an adverb

Incorrect: She sings beautiful.

Correct: She sings beautifully.

Explanation: Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs.