That and those are used to describe people or things that are not here, not nearby, or in the past or future. This and these describe people or things that are nearby, or in the present. They are used to distinguish the person or thing being described from others of the same category or class.

The four demonstrative adjectives- this, that, these, and those-are identical to the demonstrative pronouns. To do this, the adjective will either change in form (usually by adding -er or -est) or will be used with words like more, most, very, slightly, etc.: 'the older girls,' 'the longest day of the year,' 'a very strong feeling,' ' more expensive than that one.' Other adjectives describe qualities that do not vary-' nuclear energy,' 'a medical doctor'-and do not change form. Some adjectives describe qualities that can exist in different amounts or degrees. Similarly, a few adjectives can only be used as predicate adjectives and are never used before a noun. They may name qualities of all kinds: huge, red, angry, tremendous, unique, rare, etc.Īn adjective usually comes right before a noun: 'a red dress,' ' fifteen people.' When an adjective follows a linking verb such as be or seem, it is called a predicate adjective: 'That building is huge,' 'The workers seem happy.' Most adjectives can be used as predicate adjectives, although some are always used before a noun. Adjectives describe or modify-that is, they limit or restrict the meaning of-nouns and pronouns.

What is an adverb vs adjective