3 Facts On These As An Adjective (When, How & Examples)

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We utilize so many adjectives in our every day conversations. This article will give us a detailed account on how the word “these” is utilized as an adjective.

In English language, adjective is a part of speech that gives us supplementary details or information about people, animals, things or places (nouns or noun phrases). By giving us supplement or additional details about the naming words, the word “these” can become an adjective.

With exciting facts, examples and explanations, we will now explore how and when the word “these” is used as a descriptor (an adjective).

When is “these” considered as adjective?

We are already sure that the word “these” can be considered as an adjective. We shall find out the situations when the word “these” will take up the role of an adjective.

“These” is an adjective when it is giving us supplementary details or extra information about naming words. The additional information “these” provides is the position of two or more than two people, animals, places or objects. “These” denotes plural nouns which are nearer in time or distance.

Example: These flowers are imported from London.

In this sentence, the word “these” is used as an adjective. The adjective “these” is describing the plural noun “flowers” (thing) by providing us extra information about the flowers by giving an answer to the question “which flowers are imported from London?” The adjective “these” also denotes to us that the flowers mentioned in the sentence are positioned somewhere close in position.

Is “these” a demonstrative adjective?

There are various different types of adjectives. One of the types is demonstrative adjectives. We will find out if the word “these” can be a demonstrative adjective.

“These” is a demonstrative adjective. Adjectives are classified depending upon how they describe the naming words and depending upon what supplementary details they provide about nouns. “These” demonstrates or points out to a plural noun by telling us information about the noun’s position. 

Example: I have seen these kids near my house.

The word “these” is an adjective in the above sentence. To be more particular, it is a demonstrative adjective as the supplementary detail it is providing us is the location (position) of the plural naming word “kids” (people), by demonstrating (pointing out) and thereby describing it.

When is “these” a demonstrative adjective?

“These” functions as a demonstrative adjective when the plural naming word (noun or noun phrase) that it is demonstrating, is located or positioned right after it. “These” is a demonstrative pronoun utilized in pointing out or identifying to a plural naming word which is placed nearer in time or in distance.

The tabular column below lists down some examples where the word “these” is utilized as a demonstrative adjective.

ExamplesExplanationsUsage of “These” as a Demonstrative Adjective
1. These letters are yet to be posted.Here, the word “these” is functioning as a demonstrative adjective.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is describing the plural naming word “letters” (thing) by pointing out to them. It answers to the question “which letters are yet to be posted?”

The usage of demonstrative adjective “these” denotes to us that there are many (more than one) letters to be posted and they are positioned closer in distance.
2. The class teacher has punished these students for coming late to the class regularly.The word “these” is taking up the role of a demonstrative adjective in the given sentence.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is utilized to modify the plural naming word “students” (people) by demonstrating them. It gives the answer to the question “which students were punished by the class teacher for coming late to the class?”

Here, the usage of demonstrative adjective “these” indicates to us that two or more than two students were punished for coming late and they are somewhere near in proximity.
3. These dogs are causing too much trouble for passersby.The demonstrative adjective which is used herein this sentence is “these”.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is used to give extra details about the plural naming word (noun) “dogs” (animals) by identifying or referring to them. It provides an answer to the question “which dogs are causing too much trouble for passersby?”

In this sentence, the usage of demonstrative adjective “these” is indicating to us that many dogs (more than one dog) are causing trouble for the passersby. It also shows that the dogs mentioned in the sentence are located nearer / closer in distance.
4. These shops sell the best deserts in the entire town.In this sentence, the word “these” functions as a demonstrative adjective.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is utilized to give supplementary information about the plural naming word “shops” (places) by demonstrating or pointing them. It gives the answer to the question “which shops sells the best deserts in the entire town?”

Here, the usage of demonstrative adjective “these” is showing us that many shops (more than one shop) sell the best deserts. It also indicates that the shops mentioned in the sentence are positioned somewhere nearer / closer in proximity.
5. These apples are fresh and very sweet.In this sentence, the word “these” is used as a demonstrative adjective.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is utilized to give supplementary details about the plural naming word “apples” (things) by demonstrating or pointing them. It provides the answer to the question “which apples are fresh and very sweet?”

Here, the usage of demonstrative adjective “these” is depicting that many apples (two or more than two apples) are fresh and very sweet. It also denotes that the fresh and very sweet apples mentioned in the sentence are positioned somewhere close by in proximity.
6. It is our duty to hand over these files to our team leader.In this sentence, the word “these” is being utilized as a demonstrative adjective.

The demonstrative adjective “these” is used to give supplementary details about the plural naming word “files” (things) by demonstrating or pointing them. It is answering the question “which files have to handed over to the team leader?”

Here, the usage of demonstrative adjective “these” is denoting that many files (two or more than two files) have to handed over. It also denotes that files mentioned in the sentence are located somewhere close by in proximity.
Examples Of “These” As A Demonstrative Adjective

When is “these” not considered as adjective?

The word “these” can be an adjective, but not always. “These” can also be another part of speech based on when, how and why it is used. Let us find more about it here.

The following tabular column lists the situations, examples and explanations when the word “these” is not considered as an adjective.

Instances when “these” is not considered as adjectiveExamplesExplanations
1. When it is utilized as a pronoun by acting as substitution or replacement for a plural noun or a noun phrase that is nearer / closer in distance (proximity) / time.a. These are the toys which my sister bought for my son last week.
 
 
 
 b. You can try these if you do not like that color.		 
In this sentence, the word “these” is not describing or modifying any naming word (noun), but it is replacing the plural naming word (noun) “toys” (things) which are located nearby.
 

Here in this sentence, the word “these” is not modifying any naming word by giving us supplementary information, but is substituting the plural  naming word (noun) “colors” (thing) which is located or positioned close by. 
 

Instances When “these” is not considered as adjective

Conclusion

Thus, from this article, we got to know how, when and various other facts that are related with usage of the word “these” as an adjective.