Categories: Adjectives

Descriptive and Demonstrative Adjectives

In this article, we will discuss descriptive (common) adjectives and demonstrative adjectives.

Descriptive Adjectives

We use descriptive adjectives to describe nouns.

Adjectives usually go before nouns:

  • This is a nice house.
  • I am reading an interesting book.
  • We have a small dog.
  • I have blue eyes.

Adjectives can also go after link verbs such as be, look, feel, smell, sound and taste. They still describe a noun or nouns.

  • This car is fast.
  • It looks great!
  • That cake smells delicious!
Note: Adjectives of the same type require commas to separate them.  

– We have red, green, and gold lights.  

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’ and ‘those’ are used to point out or refer to specific people or things.

This/These

We use ‘this’ and ‘these’ (plural) to point out something that is nearby, close, or in our hands.

This is used with singular nouns:

  • This book is very old.
  • I would like this cake, please.

These is used with plural nouns:

  • These keys do not fit this door.
  • Can I get these shoes, mom?

That/Those

We use ‘that’ and ‘those’ (plural) to point out someone or something that is farther away or not reachable.

That is used with singular nouns:

  • That house is about a mile away.
  • Who’s that girl over there?

Those is used with plural nouns:

  • Look at those hills! They are so beautiful.
  • I don’t like those pants.

We can use demonstrative adjectives and common adjectives together.

When we use both demonstrative and common adjectives, the demonstrative comes before the common (descriptive) adjective.

  •  I love these new shoes I just got.
  • What is moving in those tall trees over there?
  • I don’t want that ugly animal in my house.

Here’s a good video about demonstrative adjectives:

Got any questions about adjectives? Write them in the comments below and we’ll try to answer!

See also:

Fact and Opinion Adjectives

Formation of Adjectives

The Order of Adjectives

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