Adjectives: Common and Demonstrative

 

Common Adjectives

 

We use common (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.