Analyzing Word Classes: Identifying Demonstrative Adjectives

The question asks us to identify the word class of the underlined word "that" in the sentence "I like that boy." To do this, we need to look at how the word "that" is used in this specific sentence.

In the sentence "I like that boy," the word "that" comes before the noun "boy" and points out which boy is being referred to. It modifies or describes the noun "boy". Words that modify nouns are typically adjectives.

Understanding Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative words are used to point to specific people, places, or things. There are four main demonstrative words: this, that, these, and those.

• When a demonstrative word comes immediately before a noun and modifies it, it functions as a demonstrative adjective.
• When a demonstrative word stands alone and replaces a noun, it functions as a demonstrative pronoun.

Let's look at the sentence again: "I like that boy." Here, "that" is directly followed by the noun "boy" and tells us *which* boy the speaker likes. Therefore, "that" is acting as a demonstrative adjective.

Eliminating Incorrect Options

Let's consider why the other options are not correct:

• Noun: A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. "That" here is modifying a noun ("boy"), not acting as a noun itself. For example, in "That is a good idea," "That" is a pronoun, not a noun.
• Participle: A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase (e.g., "running" in "a running man" or "He is running"). "That" is not a verb form.
• Conjunction: A conjunction is a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause (e.g., and, but, or, because, although). "That" in this sentence is not connecting parts of the sentence; it is describing a noun.

Based on its function in the sentence, the word "that" is clearly acting as a demonstrative adjective because it modifies the noun "boy" and points to it.

Revision Table: Word Classes Explained

Understanding different word classes (parts of speech) is crucial for analyzing sentences.

Here's a quick review of the relevant word classes:

• Adjective: A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. (e.g., happy, big, red, that, these)
• Noun: A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. (e.g., boy, city, book, happiness)
• Participle: A verb form used as an adjective (present participle ending in -ing, past participle often ending in -ed). (e.g., running, broken, written)
• Conjunction: A word used to join words, phrases, or clauses. (e.g., and, but, or, because)

Additional Information: Demonstratives as Adjectives vs. Pronouns

It's important to distinguish when "that" (and other demonstratives) acts as an adjective versus a pronoun.

• Demonstrative Adjective: Always comes immediately before a noun.
  Example: "I want that book." (modifies "book")
• Demonstrative Pronoun: Stands alone, replacing a noun.
  Example: "I want that." (replaces a noun like "book")

In our original sentence, "I like that boy," "that" modifies "boy," confirming its role as a demonstrative adjective.