Demonstrative Adjective

Demonstrative Adjective :

Demonstrative Adjectives show which or what persons or things are intended to be pointed out. This adjective modify a noun in such a way that we know which specific person, place, or thing is mentioned. These adjectives can be used as Demonstrative Pronouns. This type of adjective will come just before a noun or pronoun which it modifies and will tell us which one specifically. These have special, peculiar and simple function used to specify a noun and placed close to that noun in a sentence.

Adjectives of this kind are subdivided (as Numeral Adjectives are) into two main classes

1. Adjectives of Definite Demonstrative
2. Adjectives of Indefinite Demonstrative

When a person or thing is pointed out exactly, the Adjective is called a Definite Demonstrative. The most common Definite Demonstratives are….

1. THIS and THAT (with Singular Nouns)
2. THESE and THOSE (with Plural Nouns)
3. SUCH
4. SAME

THIS and THESE are used to indicate the objects which are in front of our eyes. THAT and THOSE are used to indicate the objects which are not in front of our eyes.

1. This pencil is what we need.
2. That pen is what we talk about.
3. Those books were written by my father.
4. These apples are priced higher than normal price.

When the adjective points out in a certain sense, but not exactly, it is called an Indefinite Demonstrative. The most common Indefinite Demonstratives are….

1. ANY
2. A CERTAIN
3. SOME
4. OTHER
5. ANY OTHER

Example Sentences :

1. Any one can come forward to demonstrate this dance.
2. A certain section of students is not allowed inside the school.

Sentences with this type of Adjectives :

1. This man came here today.
2. These dogs belong to him.
3. That boat leaks. Those people will be drowned.
4. This is not the book I chose. I chose the other (book).
5. Such a man as that is to be admired.
6. He said the same thing two or three times.
7. We have to distribute those books to the students.
8. Is there any other item we have to hand over now?
9. Other than your lunch-box, all items are here.
10. A certain amount of money is needed now.
11. Any one can give the answer to this question.
12. He has drawn a picture in such a way that it looks like a dog.
13. You have to bring the same book to the school today.

1. He gave me the choice of certain books.
2. You must take some book or other (book).

Much care is needed in classifying the Adjective SOME.

(a) I have some bread.

Here some denotes quantity - a certain quantity of bread.

(b) I have some loaves.

Here some denotes number - a certain number of loaves, the act number being unspecified.

(c) You must take some book or other.

Here some denotes neither quantity nor number, but is a vague kind of Demonstrative.

The Adjective THE is generally called the Definite Article and a or an is called the Indefinite Article.

AN is used before a vowel or silent h such as…

1. An apple
2. An egg
3. An ink-bottle
4. An heir
5. An hour
6. An honest man
7. An ox

A is used before a consonant, before U sounded as YOO and before O sounded as WU.

1. A kite
2. A cart
3. A bottle
4. A useful thing
5. A unit
6. A one-eyed man

Even before an aspirated H we may use AN, provided the accent is on the second syllable. Thus, we say A HIS-TO-RY. Because here the accent is on the first syllable HIS. But we can say AN HIS-TOR-I-CAL ACCOUNT. Because here the accent is on the second syllable TOR.

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