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

We can call the parts of speech “adjectives” with the name “determiners” as well. Let us check if the word “those” is an adjective or not.

The word “those” is one of the four “demonstrative adjectives” of the English language. The adjective “those” refers to a plural noun, noun equivalent, or noun phrase that is situated far away in both aspects of time and space.

We will now learn various facts and explanations about the adjective “those.”

When is “those” considered as adjective?

All types of words which can be used to describe or modify a noun, pronoun, or noun equivalent must be called an “adjective”. Let us check if the word “those” can be considered an adjective or not.

The word “those” can be termed as an “adjective” when it is in any of the below listed situations.

Situations where the word “those” is in use as an “adjective”	Example	Explanation
1. The word “those” can be considered an adjective when it describes or modifies the attributes of a “noun”.	My father used to eat black carrots from Bihar. He always says that those carrots are very sweet in taste.	The word “those” can certainly be termed an “adjective” as it is describing the plural noun “carrots”.
2. The word “those” can be considered an adjective when it describes or modifies the attributes of a “noun phrase”.	My great-grandmother had some vintage pearls with her. My mother said that those pearls were not only classy but also elegant.	The word “those” can certainly be termed an “adjective” as it is describing the noun phrase “vintage pearls”.
3. The word “those” can be considered an adjective when it describes or modifies the attributes of a “pronoun”.	I have so many girl and boy dolls in my childhood days. I still miss those everything.	The word “those” can certainly be termed an “adjective” as it is describing the indefinite pronoun “everything” is replacing the plural noun “girl and boy dolls”.

Situations where the word “those” is in use as an “adjective”

Is “those” a demonstrative adjective?

The adjective “those” is one of the four demonstrative adjective in the “adjective group” of English parts of speech. Now we will learn when and how we can use the demonstrative adjective “those”

When to use the demonstrative adjective “those”?

We can use the demonstrative adjective “those” when we need to refer any of the below listed aspects.

Aspects where the demonstrative adjective “those” can be used	Example	Explanation
1. The demonstrative adjective “those” must be used to describe any plural noun, noun phrase, or noun equivalent.	Those are the decorated elephant handicrafts which I always wanted to have.	The demonstrative adjective “those” is demonstrating attributes of the noun “elephant handicrafts”.
2. The demonstrative adjective “those” can be used to refer only “plural form” of noun, noun phrase or noun equivalent.	Renu wants those red capsicums which her mother also used to cook in her childhood days.	The demonstrative adjective “those” demonstrates the attributes of the plural form of the noun “capsicum”.
3. The demonstrative adjective “those” can be used to refer noun or noun equivalent which is situated far away in terms of both “physical existence” and “time”.	There were three detective books at the lowest rack of my study room. Those books are still my favorites.	The demonstrative adjective “those” is demonstrating attributes of the noun “detective books” which is far away from the speaker in terms of “time”.
4. We can use the demonstrative adjective “those” to refer any person, event, activity etc. that is related to past.	My father always brought some sweets for my little sister. I miss the taste of those sweets.	The demonstrative adjective “those” demonstrates the attributes of the noun “sweets” which were used to be bought by the father of the speaker.

Aspects where the demonstrative adjective “those” can be used

How to use the demonstrative adjective “those”?

The demonstrative adjective “those” must be used in such a way where we are following the below-listed rules.

Rules to use the demonstrative adjective “those”	Example	Explanation
1. The demonstrative adjective “those” must be used in front of the respective noun or noun equivalent to which it is referring or modifying.	My father used to write his manuscripts with some parker pens. I always looked at those pens with admiration.	Here, the demonstrating adjective “those” has been placed just in front of the plural common noun “pens”.
2. We must use the plural demonstrative adjective “those” along with only plural noun or noun equivalent.	There were some red roses in the garden of my ancestor’s house. Smells of those red flowers are something extraordinary.	Here, the demonstrating adjective “those” describes or modifies the attributes of the noun “red flowers,” which are in plural mode.
3. The demonstrative adjective “those” must be used in aspect of only “time” and “space”.	My mother used to make some delicious mango pickle. Those mango pickles were very spicy and tasty.	Here, the demonstrating adjective “those” refers to the noun “mango pickle”, which is far away from the speaker in terms of “time”.

Rules to use the demonstrative adjective “those”

When “those” is not considered as adjective?

The word “those” play role of more than one part of speech. Let us check the role which the word “those” plays except being an adjective.

The word “those” can not be considered as an adjective when it performs role of a “pronoun”. Situations where we can use the word “those” as a pronoun have been listed below.

Situations where “those” performs the role of a “pronoun”	Example	Explanation
1. The word “those” can be termed a pronoun; we use it as a substitute for any noun or noun equivalent.	Last winter, I ate some strawberries. Those are really tasty.	The word “those” can certainly be termed a “pronoun” as it replaces the plural noun “strawberries”.
2. The pronoun “those” must be used to replace any plural noun, noun equivalent, or noun phrase.	I saw some excellent handicrafts at yesterday’s exhibition. Those are worth decorating houses with.	The word “those” can certainly be termed a “pronoun” as it replaces the plural noun “handicrafts “.
3. The pronoun “those” must be used for any specific noun, noun phrase, or noun equivalent.	I have read some of your poems which were published in the last book. Those are really mesmerizing.	The word “those” can certainly be termed a “pronoun” as it replaces the plural noun “poems”.
4. The pronoun “those” must be used to refer to any plural noun or noun equivalent that has been placed far away in terms of “physical existence”.	I can see some birds flying in the north direction. Can you see those?	The word “those” can certainly be termed a “pronoun” as it replaces the plural noun “birds”.
5. The pronoun “those” must be used to refer to any plural noun or noun equivalent that has been placed far away in terms of “time”.	Last year, we went to Darjeeling to enjoy the last days of our summer vacation. Those are still worth cherishing.	The word “those” can certainly be termed a “pronoun” as it replaces the plural noun “last days of our summer vacation “.

Situations where “those” performs the role of a “pronoun”

Conclusion –

We must not be confused between the uses of “these” and “those”, as both of them refer to any plural noun or noun phrase. The demonstrative adjective “these” refers to any noun or noun equivalent that is close to the respective speaker, while the demonstrative adjective “those” must mention any noun, noun equivalent, or a noun phrase that is placed far away from the speaker.

Arpita Bose Roy

Hey! I am Arpita Bose Roy. My qualifications are M.A. in English with B. Ed. in both general education and special education. I have 2 years of experience as a “language analyst” at IIT Kharagpur and 4 years of experience as an “Academic Content Developer” at IIT Kharagpur. Currently, I am working as an academic writer at Lambdageeks.