Grammar-Quizzes › Noun Phrases › Determiners › Demonstratives
Demonstratives
Specify which one—this, that, these, those
Demonstratives — this, these vs. that, those
| NEAR |
|---|
The demonstrative this marks a noun as singular and near; these marks a noun as plural and near. When placed before a noun, this or these is a determiner. When the noun is omitted, this or these is a pronoun. |
| SINGULAR |
This marble is mine. (determiner) This is mine. (pronoun) |
| PLURAL |
These marbles are mine. These are mine. |
| FAR |
|---|
The demonstrative that marks a noun as singular and far; those marks a noun as plural and far. When placed before a noun, that or those is a determiner. When the noun is omitted, that or those is a pronoun. |
| SINGULAR |
That red marble is yours. That marble is yours. That is yours. (pronoun) |
| PLURAL |
Those marbles are yours. Those are yours. |
See: A Determiner "Basic Markers".
Demonstratives
Express physical and emotional proximity or distance
Demonstratives—Physical and Emotional Proximity
| NEAR |
|---|
The determiner this is used before a definite noun, something that you can point to and that is physically close or emotionally close. This present is exactly what I wanted. but also This guy was really helpful. |
| PHYSICALLY – NEAR |
This guy is my classmate. |
| EMOTIONALLY – NEAR |
This guy is friendly. (emotionally close; not physically close) |
| NEAR |
|---|
The distant form of this is that. Sometimes that is used for something that is physically more distant, but also when something is emotionally distant. That is awful. That guy is a jerk. That woman cut in front of me. |
| PHYSICALLY –FAR |
That guy is my boyfriend. |
| EMOTIONALLY – FAR |
That guy doesn't like this guy. (emotionally distant; not physically distant) |
guy (N) — male (informal use)
proximity (N) – nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.
This guy walks into a bar and says… This is often used informally in place of a when a person is telling a story. See Present–Narration.
This and That Expressions
In common idioms
This and That Expressions
| EXPRESSION | EXPLANATION | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
THAT'S IT! |
a "eureka moment"; said when finding something |
Why don't you trying this method. That's it! Thanks. |
THIS IS IT! |
an important moment to perform well |
This is it! Let's roll! Do your best! |
THIAT IS IT! |
your last chance is finished |
That's it! No more taking me for granted. That's it! I'm leaving. |
THAT'S ALL |
finished |
Is there something else you want me to do? That's all. Thank you. |
THAT'S AWFUL THAT SUCKS (very informal) |
expresses sympathy; disgust, distance from bad situation |
My car was T-boned by a truck! (hit at a 90º angle) That's awful. |
THATS ALL RIGHT /OK |
said after someone apologizes; don't worry |
I'm sorry. I stepped on your toe. That's all right. I have nine others that still work. |
THAT'S A WRAP |
the project or filming is finished; wrap up |
We have shot (filmed) the final scene. (film production) That's a wrap. |
THIS OLD THING |
said when a person does not want to attract attention (the evil eye) |
What a beautiful sweater. This old thing? |
"These Kind"
This kind of… / These kinds of…
Kind / Kinds
| SINGULAR—KIND |
|---|
|
This kind of dog is lovable. (a single breed) |
These kind of dogs are lovable. (exceptional use – a single breed!) |
Nouns such as | PLURAL—KINDS |
|---|
|
These kinds of dogs are lovable. (more than one breed) |
*This kinds of dog are lovable. |
Other determiners can occur alone when the noun is understood from the context.*not used
Agreement – "The these kind of dogs" construction (Huddleston 5 §3.4)
Sort of, kind of and type of (Swan 551.2)
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
This guy just called you and asked for an interview. |
I did not have sex with that woman! — President Bill Clinton |
| SOLUTION |
|---|
A man just called you and asked for an interview. This is used in speech informally. Use a and man in more formal situations (academic and business use). |
I did not have sex with the young woman. Bill Clinton made a critical mistake when he used that instead of the. His choice of words expressed emotional distance or disgust. |
Practice 1
Jean Shopping
Read the context
Jack: Man! I really hate my jeans. The jeans fit me badly.
Eric: Why don't you buy some new jeans. The jeans over there aren't so tight.
Jack: OK. (He tries them on.) I like the jeans. But the color is drab.
Eric: How about the pair of jeans I have here?
Jack: OK. I'll try the jeans on. I like the color better.
Jack: Hand them to me. Ah! Are you kidding? The pockets are ridiculous.
Eric: Yeah. They really are! Sorry, dude, I didn't turn the jeans around.
Jack: That's all right. I'll get the first pair. They fit me better.
Eric: Good idea.
are you kidding (expression) — are you joking; (disapproval)
drab (Adj) – a dull color, not very bright or appealing
dude (N) — male, informal use
Man! (interjection) — surprise, anger, disappointment, strong feeling
pocket (N) — a piece of material on clothing that forms a pouch to carry things, usually located on or near the hips.
ridiculous (Adj) — silly, awful, bad-looking, laughable
Use demonstratives this, that, these, those or pronouns it or they or them.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
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