Uses of Demonstratives – This – That – These – Those

By | September 6, 2015
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=>•••This – That – These – Those•••<=

What are Demonstratives? (That This These Those)
In English there are 4 demonstratives (that, this, these and those). Demonstratives are used to state the distance from the speaker. The distance can be either psychological or physical.
Demonstratives can be used as pronouns or adjectives . They are sometimes referred to as demonstrative adjectives or demonstrative pronouns. When they are used as adjectives they modify the noun .

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This – is used with singular nouns when referring to an object that is close to the speaker
This car is parked very close to my driveway.
Is this Jenni’s dog?
This is not Jenni’s book.
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That – is used with singular nouns when referring to an object or person that is far to the speaker
That dog across the street is really sweet.
Is that Jenni’s donkey across the field?
That is not Jenni’s house.
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These – is used with plural nouns when referring to an object that is close to the speaker
These cars are parked very close to my driveway.
Are these Jenni’s dogs?
These are not Jenni’s books.
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Those – is used with plural nouns when referring to an object or person that is far to the speaker
I really like those cars.
Are those Jenni’s friends?
Those are not Jenni’s brothers.
Note: The distance of an object or person can be doesn’t have to be physical.