Word
demonstrative
Phoneticsdemon·stra·tive
US/dɪˈmɑnstɹətɪv/
UK/dəmˈɒnstɹətˌɪv/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a pointing word such as this, that, these or those that shows which person or thing you mean.
n. a determiner or pronoun such as this, that, these or those that identifies a referent by physical distance or place in the discourse.
Examples
“This is a demonstrative that points to something near.”
“The teacher writes this and that on the board to show how demonstratives work.”
“In the sentence 'I prefer these apples to those', both these and those act as demonstratives that distinguish near from far.”
Examples
simple
“This is a demonstrative that points to something near.”
contextual
“The teacher writes this and that on the board to show how demonstratives work.”
complex
“In the sentence 'I prefer these apples to those', both these and those act as demonstratives that distinguish near from far.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “demonstrative” in context.
Verb
01. confuse demonstrative
“Many learners confuse demonstratives like this and that at first.”
verb + noun
02. demonstrative indicates
“That demonstrative indicates distance from the speaker.”
noun + verb
03. demonstrative refers
“This demonstrative refers to the book in my hand.”
noun + verb
04. demonstrative replaces
“In this sentence, the demonstrative replaces a full noun phrase.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. distal demonstrative
“That is a distal demonstrative used for something far away.”
adj + noun
06. plural demonstrative
“These is the plural demonstrative for objects close to the speaker.”
adj + noun
07. proximal demonstrative
“This is a proximal demonstrative used for something near the speaker.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. contrast between demonstratives
“The exercise focuses on the contrast between demonstratives.”
noun + prep + noun
09. demonstrative determiner
“In this book, that is a demonstrative determiner before a noun.”
noun + noun
10. demonstrative pronoun
“This is a demonstrative pronoun because it stands alone as subject.”
noun + noun
11. choose between demonstratives correctly
“Choose between demonstratives correctly to show near or far.”
12. point with proximal demonstrative
“Point with a proximal demonstrative for objects near you.”
Usage
Refers to this, that, these and those; appears before a noun as a determiner or alone as a pronoun.
Real-World Examples
“Eisenberg is, perhaps inevitably, the beta-male sasquatch who is less demonstrative than the alpha male grunter.” Etymology
From Middle English demonstratif, from Middle French démonstratif, from Latin dēmōnstrātīvus. Equivalent to demonstrate + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/demonstrative