Demonstrative adjectives are words used to point out specific nouns in a sentence. They help indicate whether the noun being referred to is near or far in time or distance. Common demonstrative adjectives include “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” For example, “this book” refers to a book that is close, while “that book” refers to a book that is farther away.
What is a Demonstrative Adjective?
A demonstrative adjective modifies a noun by specifying its location or proximity. It answers the question “which one?” For example, in the sentence “I like this car,” the word “this” describes which car is being referred to.
Demonstrative adjective वह adjective होता है जो noun को उसकी location या proximity के आधार पर specify करता है। यह “कौन सा?” सवाल का जवाब देता है। जैसे, “I like this car” में “this” यह बताता है कि कौन सी car की बात हो रही है।
Definition of Demonstrative Adjective
A demonstrative adjective is defined as a word that identifies specific nouns by indicating their distance from the speaker or listener. These adjectives always appear before the noun they describe. For instance, in “those apples,” “those” specifies which apples are being discussed.
Demonstrative adjective वह शब्द है जो noun को उसकी दूरी के आधार पर specify करता है, चाहे वह speaker के पास हो या दूर। ये adjective हमेशा noun के पहले आते हैं। उदाहरण: “those apples” में “those” यह बताता है कि कौन से apples की बात हो रही है।
Tricky Demonstrative Adjective Examples
Though demonstrative adjectives seem straightforward, mistakes can happen, especially when choosing the correct adjective or positioning it in a sentence. Here are examples of common mistakes with demonstrative adjectives:
This/These
Incorrect: “These book is very interesting.”
Correct: “This book is very interesting.”
Hindi: “यह किताब बहुत दिलचस्प है।”
Note: “These” is used for plural nouns, while “This” is for singular nouns.
That/Those
Incorrect: “Those pen is mine.”
Correct: “That pen is mine.”
Hindi: “वह पेन मेरा है।”
Note: “Those” is for plural nouns, whereas “That” is for singular nouns.
Positioning Mistakes
Incorrect: “I like these flowers in the garden.”
Correct: “I like these flowers from the garden.”
Hindi: “मुझे बगीचे के ये फूल पसंद हैं।”
Note: Be careful with the placement of demonstrative adjectives to ensure clarity.
Demonstrative Adjective Sentences
Here are some common examples of demonstrative adjectives used in sentences, along with their Hindi translations:
- English: “This car is very expensive.”
Hindi: “यह गाड़ी बहुत महंगी है।” - English: “Those houses are newly built.”
Hindi: “वे मकान नए बने हैं।” - English: “I bought these shoes yesterday.”
Hindi: “मैंने ये जूते कल खरीदे।” - English: “That bird is flying very high.”
Hindi: “वह पक्षी बहुत ऊंचा उड़ रहा है।” - English: “These fruits are fresh and juicy.”
Hindi: “ये फल ताजे और रसदार हैं।”
When Do We Use Demonstrative Adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives are used to indicate specific nouns or pronouns in a sentence. They help identify which one we are talking about, making the communication clear. For example, in the sentences “This book is interesting” or “Those flowers are beautiful,” the demonstrative adjectives “this” and “those” specify the nouns.
हम demonstrative adjectives का उपयोग किसी sentence में specific nouns या pronouns की ओर इशारा करने के लिए करते हैं। यह बताते हैं कि कौन सा noun की बात हो रही है, जिससे communication स्पष्ट हो। जैसे, “यह किताब रोचक है” या “वे फूल सुंदर हैं,” में demonstrative adjectives “यह” और “वे” nouns को specific बनाते हैं।
Demonstrative Adjective Rules
1. Using Demonstrative Adjectives for Singular Nouns:
Demonstrative adjectives like ‘this’ and ‘that’ are used for singular nouns.
Example:
English: “This pen is mine.”
Hindi: “यह पेन मेरा है।”
2. Using Demonstrative Adjectives for Plural Nouns:
Demonstrative adjectives like ‘these’ and ‘those’ are used for plural nouns.
Example:
English: “Those shoes look great.”
Hindi: “वे जूते शानदार लग रहे हैं।”
3. Using This and These for Nearby Objects:
This (singular) and these (plural) are used for objects close to the speaker.
Example:
English: “This chair is comfortable.”
Hindi: “यह कुर्सी आरामदायक है।”
English: “These apples are fresh.”
Hindi: “ये सेब ताज़ा हैं।”
4. Using That and Those for Faraway Objects:
That (singular) and those (plural) are used for objects far from the speaker.
Example:
English: “That house belongs to them.”
Hindi: “वह घर उनका है।”
English: “Those birds are chirping loudly.”
Hindi: “वे पक्षी जोर से चहक रहे हैं।”
5. Demonstrative Adjectives with Time:
Demonstrative adjectives are also used to refer to time.
Example:
English: “This year has been amazing.”
Hindi: “यह साल शानदार रहा है।”
English: “That day was unforgettable.”
Hindi: “वह दिन अविस्मरणीय था।”
6. Questions with Demonstrative Adjectives:
Demonstrative adjectives can be used to form questions.
Example:
English: “Whose is this bag?”
Hindi: “यह बैग किसका है?”
English: “Are those your books?”
Hindi: “क्या वे तुम्हारी किताबें हैं?”
7. Forming Negative Sentences with Demonstrative Adjectives:
In negative sentences, demonstrative adjectives combine with auxiliary verbs to negate the sentence.
Example:
English: “This is not my notebook.”
Hindi: “यह मेरी नोटबुक नहीं है।”
English: “Those are not my shoes.”
Hindi: “वे मेरे जूते नहीं हैं।”
8. Demonstrative Adjectives in Continuous Sentences:
They can be used in continuous tenses to point to ongoing actions.
Example:
English: “This rain is never-ending.”
Hindi: “यह बारिश कभी खत्म नहीं होती।”
English: “Those kids are playing in the park.”
Hindi: “वे बच्चे पार्क में खेल रहे हैं।”
Typical Errors with Demonstrative Adjectives
Using demonstrative adjectives accurately is essential for clear and effective communication, and avoiding common mistakes enhances language precision.
Demonstrative adjectives का सही उपयोग communication को स्पष्ट और प्रभावी बनाता है, और सामान्य गलतियों से बचना भाषा की शुद्धता को बढ़ाता है।
Common Errors:
1. Incorrect Singular/Plural Usage
Using a singular demonstrative adjective with a plural noun or vice versa is a common error.
Example:
Incorrect: “This books are on the table.”
Correction: “These books are on the table.”
Hindi:
गलत: “यह किताबें मेज पर हैं।”
सही: “ये किताबें मेज पर हैं।”
2. Misplacing Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives must always appear before the noun they modify.
Example:
Incorrect: “Books these are interesting.”
Correction: “These books are interesting.”
Hindi:
गलत: “किताबें ये दिलचस्प हैं।”
सही: “ये किताबें दिलचस्प हैं।”
3. Confusing Demonstrative Pronouns with Adjectives
Confusing demonstrative pronouns with adjectives leads to errors. Adjectives modify nouns, while pronouns stand alone.
Example:
Incorrect: “This is car expensive.”
Correction: “This car is expensive.”
Hindi:
गलत: “यह कार महंगी है।”
सही: “यह कार महंगी है।”
4. Overusing Demonstrative Adjectives
Using demonstrative adjectives unnecessarily can make sentences redundant or awkward.
Example:
Incorrect: “This my this pen is new.”
Correction: “This pen is new.”
Hindi:
गलत: “यह मेरी यह पेन नई है।”
सही: “यह पेन नई है।”
5. Incorrect Placement with Prepositional Phrases
Demonstrative adjectives must modify the noun directly and not be separated by a prepositional phrase.
Example:
Incorrect: “This of mine book is old.”
Correction: “This book of mine is old.”
Hindi:
गलत: “यह मेरी की किताब पुरानी है।”
सही: “यह मेरी किताब पुरानी है।”
6. Using the Wrong Demonstrative Adjective for Distance
Using “this/these” for far objects or “that/those” for near objects can cause confusion.
Example:
Incorrect: “That cat near the door is mine.”
Correction: “This cat near the door is mine.”
Hindi:
गलत: “वह बिल्ली दरवाजे के पास मेरी है।”
सही: “यह बिल्ली दरवाजे के पास मेरी है।”
7. Using Demonstrative Adjectives with Abstract Concepts
Demonstrative adjectives should be used meaningfully with abstract ideas, not concrete nouns.
Example:
Incorrect: “These honesty are rare.”
Correction: “This honesty is rare.”
Hindi:
गलत: “ये ईमानदारी दुर्लभ हैं।”
सही: “यह ईमानदारी दुर्लभ है।”
8. Mixing Demonstrative Adjectives with Time References
Confusing “this” and “that” when referring to time is a typical mistake.
Example:
Incorrect: “That morning has been productive.” (referring to today)
Correction: “This morning has been productive.”
Hindi:
गलत: “वह सुबह उत्पादक थी।”
सही: “यह सुबह उत्पादक थी।”
Difference Between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns
The basic difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns lies in their function in a sentence. Demonstrative adjectives modify a noun and always accompany it, while demonstrative pronouns stand alone and replace a noun.
Demonstrative Adjectives और Demonstrative Pronouns के बीच मुख्य अंतर उनके वाक्य में उपयोग के आधार पर है। Demonstrative Adjectives किसी noun को modify करते हैं और उसके साथ होते हैं, जबकि Demonstrative Pronouns अकेले खड़े होते हैं और noun को replace करते हैं।
Comparison
Demonstrative Adjective:
English: “This book is interesting.”
Hindi: “यह किताब दिलचस्प है।”
English: “Those flowers are beautiful.”
Hindi: “वे फूल सुंदर हैं।”
Demonstrative Pronoun:
English: “This is interesting.”
Hindi: “यह दिलचस्प है।”
English: “Those are beautiful.”
Hindi: “वे सुंदर हैं।”
Demonstrative Adjective:
English: “That car is new.”
Hindi: “वह गाड़ी नई है।”
English: “These apples are fresh.”
Hindi: “ये सेब ताजे हैं।”
Demonstrative Pronoun:
English: “That is new.”
Hindi: “वह नई है।”
English: “These are fresh.”
Hindi: “ये ताजे हैं।”
Categories of Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives are categorized based on their indication of proximity (near or far) and number (singular or plural).
Demonstrative Adjectives को उनकी निकटता (पास या दूर) और संख्या (एकवचन या बहुवचन) के आधार पर वर्गीकृत किया जाता है।
1. Proximity-Based Categories (निकटता के आधार पर वर्गीकरण)
A. Near (पास के लिए)
These demonstrate nouns that are close to the speaker.
English: “This” (singular), “These” (plural)
Hindi: “यह” (एकवचन), “ये” (बहुवचन)
Example:
English: “This book is mine.”
Hindi: “यह किताब मेरी है।”
English: “These apples are fresh.”
Hindi: “ये सेब ताजे हैं।”
B. Far (दूर के लिए)
These demonstrate nouns that are far from the speaker.
English: “That” (singular), “Those” (plural)
Hindi: “वह” (एकवचन), “वे” (बहुवचन)
Example:
English: “That car is expensive.”
Hindi: “वह गाड़ी महंगी है।”
English: “Those houses are big.”
Hindi: “वे घर बड़े हैं।”
2. Number-Based Categories (संख्या के आधार पर वर्गीकरण)
A. Singular Demonstrative Adjectives (एकवचन)
Used for one object or person.
Words: “This,” “That”
Example:
English: “This pen is blue.”
Hindi: “यह कलम नीली है।”
English: “That building is tall.”
Hindi: “वह इमारत ऊंची है।”
B. Plural Demonstrative Adjectives (बहुवचन)
Used for multiple objects or people.
Words: “These,” “Those”
Example:
English: “These chairs are comfortable.”
Hindi: “ये कुर्सियां आरामदायक हैं।”
English: “Those children are playing.”
Hindi: “वे बच्चे खेल रहे हैं।”
Practice Questions Related to Demonstrative Adjectives
Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative adjective (choose the correct option in brackets):
- __ (This/Those) car is very expensive.
- __ (These/That) books belong to me.
- I don’t like __ (this/that) picture on the wall.
- __ (These/Those) houses were built last year.
- Can you give me __ (this/these) pen?
- __ (That/Those) star is shining brightly.
- __ (This/That) cake tastes delicious.
- Who lives in __ (these/that) apartment?
- __ (Those/This) apples are rotten.
- I like __ (this/these) idea you suggested.
- __ (That/Those) road leads to the city center.
- I found __ (this/those) keys near the door.
- __ (These/Those) kids are playing in the park.
- __ (This/That) flower is my favorite.
- Did you see __ (that/these) car passing by?
Answers:
- This
- These
- That
- Those
- This
- That
- This
- That
- Those
- This
- That
- These
- Those
- This
- That
Frequently Asked Questions About Demonstrative Adjectives
Q1: What is a demonstrative adjective?
Answer: A demonstrative adjective is a word that modifies a noun to indicate which specific one is being referred to. It helps point out the noun and shows its proximity (whether it’s near or far). The most common demonstrative adjectives are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”
Example:
- “This apple is sweet.”
- “That house is old.”
Q2: How are demonstrative adjectives used in sentences?
Answer: Demonstrative adjectives are placed directly before a noun to specify which one is being talked about. They provide additional detail about the noun’s location (near or far) and number (singular or plural).
Example:
- “This book is amazing.”
- “Those mountains are beautiful.”
Q3: What is the difference between singular and plural demonstrative adjectives?
Answer: Singular demonstrative adjectives (“this” and “that”) refer to one object, while plural demonstrative adjectives (“these” and “those”) refer to more than one object.
Example:
- Singular: “This dog is friendly.”
- Plural: “These dogs are friendly.”
Q4: What is the difference between “this/these” and “that/those”?
Answer: “This” and “these” are used to refer to things that are near the speaker, while “that” and “those” refer to things that are farther away.
Example:
- “This pencil is mine.” (near)
- “That pencil is yours.” (far)
Q5: Can demonstrative adjectives be used for both people and objects?
Answer: Yes, demonstrative adjectives can describe both people and objects. They help identify and specify the noun, regardless of whether it’s a person or an object.
Example:
- For people: “This girl is my sister.”
- For objects: “These shoes are new.”
Conclusion
Grasping and properly using demonstrative adjectives is essential for clear and precise communication in English. Demonstrative adjectives help specify nouns, indicating whether something is near or far in relation to the speaker. By mastering the use of “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” learners can accurately convey meaning in both spoken and written forms. Whether referring to singular or plural nouns, or objects close or distant, demonstrative adjectives are key to making sentences more informative and easily understood. With practice and attention to detail, learners can avoid ambiguity and enhance their communication skills. Demonstrative adjectives are a vital aspect of English proficiency, and mastering them will help you communicate more effectively and confidently.
