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Difference Between Demonstrative Adjective and Demonstrative Pronoun

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Difference Between Demonstrative Adjective and Demonstrative Pronoun

Difference between demonstrative adjective and demonstrative pronoun: The words “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” serve as demonstrative pronouns as well as demonstrative adjectives. They provide details about the object or person being referred to, including its number (single or plural) and distance (near or far). Before a noun, a demonstrative adjective comes to modify it (e.g., “This food is very spicy”). A demonstrative pronoun can act as the subject or object of a phrase and takes the place of a noun (e.g., “That is my favorite place”). Demonstrative pronouns are used when the context makes the noun clear. 

Before we learn about the key differences between demonstrative adjective and demonstrative pronoun, let us look at the definitions and examples of both.

This Blog Includes:
  1. What is a Demonstrative Adjective?
  2. What is a Demonstrative Pronoun?
  3. What is the Difference Between Demonstrative Adjective and Demonstrative Pronoun?
  4. Exercise To Identify Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns
  5. FAQs

What is a Demonstrative Adjective?

“Demonstrative” means “a word or morpheme pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class,” according to the Collins Dictionary. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a demonstrative adjective as a term that is “used to identify the person or thing that is being referred to.”

Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives

Here are some examples of demonstrative adjectives in sentences:

  1. This book is very interesting.
  2. That car belongs to my uncle.
  3. These apples are fresh and juicy.
  4. Those shoes are too expensive.
  5. I don’t like this kind of music.

Also Read:  Types of Adjective Worksheet: Download Free PDF

What is a Demonstrative Pronoun?

A demonstrative pronoun is a word that can be used in place of a noun.  They are employed to indicate a particular object or person (e.g., “this is my sister”).

Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns

Here are some examples of demonstrative pronouns in sentences:

  1. This is my favorite.
  2. That was a great movie.
  3. These are very tasty.
  4. Those were the days!
  5. This is what I was talking about.

What is the Difference Between Demonstrative Adjective and Demonstrative Pronoun?

The table below highlights the difference between demonstrative adjective and demonstrative pronoun by comparing their definitions, usage, position in a sentence, and examples for better understanding.

Demonstrative AdjectiveDemonstrative Pronoun
A word that modifies a noun and points out a specific person, place, or thing is known as Demonstrative Adjective.A word that replaces a noun and points out a specific person, place, or thing is known as Demonstrative Pronoun.
It acts as an adjective, providing more information about a noun.It acts as a pronoun, standing in place of a noun.
In a sentence, demonstrative adjective always comes before a noun. This adjective describes which noun is being referred to.A demonstrative pronoun stands alone without a following noun. It replaces the noun completely.
This, That, These, Those (used before nouns) are classified as demonstrative adjectives.This, That, These, Those (used alone) are considered demonstrative pronouns.
Demonstrative adjective example sentences:- I like these shoes.- That car is expensive.Demonstrative pronoun example sentences:- I like these.- That is expensive.

Also Read: Difference between Adjective and Noun

Exercise To Identify Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns

Now that we have understood the difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns, let us solve questions around these topics.

Part A: Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative adjective (this, that, these, those):

  1. ________ book is mine.
  2. ________ flowers smell so good.
  3. ________ chair looks comfortable.
  4. I like ________ cookies over there.
  5. ________ car is very expensive.
  6. Can you pass me ________ pens?
  7. ________ tree in the garden is very tall.
  8. ________ shoes are too big for me.

Answers:

  1. This
  2. These
  3. This
  4. Those
  5. That
  6. These
  7. That
  8. Those

Part B: Identify whether the word in each sentence is a demonstrative adjective or a demonstrative pronoun. Write “adjective” or “pronoun” next to each sentence.

  1. This cake looks delicious.
  2. Those are my favorite shoes.
  3. I don’t like that movie.
  4. These cookies are the best!
  5. This is the best book I’ve ever read.
  6. I want to buy those clothes.
  7. These are my new pens.
  8. Can you give me that pencil?
  9. Those books belong to my friend.

Answers: 

  1. Adjective
  2. Pronoun
  3. Adjective
  4. Pronoun
  5. Pronoun
  6. Adjective
  7. Pronoun
  8. Adjective
  9. Pronoun

Also Read: What are Pronouns? Check Definition, Classification, Types

FAQs

Q1: What is a demonstrative word?

Demonstrative concepts, such as “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” indicate which individual or object is being discussed. In “This is my brother,” the demonstrative pronoun “this” is used.

Q2: What is an adjective that is demonstrative?

A noun’s relative position in time or space can be identified or expressed using demonstrative adjectives, which are special adjectives or determiners. Before every other adjective in the noun phrase is a demonstrative adjective. The demonstrative adjectives this, that, these, and those are frequently used.

Q3: Is that a pronoun or an adjective?

Depending on how they are used in a sentence, the words “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” may be used as demonstrative adjectives or demonstrative pronouns.

Q4: What are demonstratives in grammar?

Demonstratives indicate a person, thing, or event’s location in respect to the speaker.  Both physical and psychological proximity or distance might be referred to by them.  When discussing events, the far demonstratives are frequently used to refer to the past, whereas the near demonstratives are frequently used to refer to the present.

Q5. What is the difference between demonstrative adjective demonstrative pronoun?

The difference between demonstrative adjective and demonstrative pronoun lies in their function. A demonstrative adjective modifies and describes a noun, appearing before it (e.g., “this book”). In contrast, a demonstrative pronoun replaces the noun entirely and stands alone (e.g., “this is mine”). Both use words like this, that, these, and those.

Q5: What are the 7 types of pronouns?

Personal pronoun, demonstrative pronoun, interrogative pronoun, relative pronoun, indefinite pronoun, reflexive pronoun, and intensive pronoun are the seven pronoun categories that both English and English as a second language authors need to be aware of.

Check other blogs on Learn English below:

Pronoun Worksheet for Class 1: Download Free PDFWhat are Pronouns? Check Definition, Classification, Types
Distributive Adjectives: Definition, Types, ExamplesPersonal Pronoun Exercises in English for Students
Object Pronoun Exercise with Answers: Download Free PDFNoun Exercises with Answers for Practice

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Aditya Saini is a content writer with over a year and a half of experience helping national and international students navigate their journey to work abroad. His expertise lies in “jobs abroad”, all things practical, from writing articles on different topics such as part-time and full-time jobs to understanding salaries for different and highest-paying professions and securing internship programs in different countries. Aditya's passion is ensuring students have all the information they need to make the right decision about their career journeys overseas.

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