When to Use These and Those with Rules and Examples
Understanding the difference between these and those is important for writing, speaking, and school exams. These two words often cause confusion, especially for students learning English grammar. Knowing when and how to use them helps you speak and write more clearly in daily situations and competitive exams.
| Word | Meaning | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| These | Plural of "this". Used for objects or people near the speaker (close). | These apples are fresh. |
| Those | Plural of "that". Used for objects or people far from the speaker (not close). | Those apples are on the table. |
Difference Between These and Those in English Grammar
The main difference between these and those is distance and number. Both are demonstrative pronouns or determiners used for plural nouns. Use these when the items are near you. Use those when the items are farther away. Mastering this difference is helpful for exams and daily English conversations.
Rules for Using These and Those
- These is used for more than one thing/person that is near you.
- Those is used for more than one thing/person that is far from you.
- Both refer to plural nouns or objects.
- In questions or statements, always check if the objects are close or far.
These vs Those – Quick Comparison
| Feature | These | Those |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Plural | Plural |
| Proximity | Near (close to the speaker) | Far (away from the speaker) |
| Example | These books are on my desk. | Those books are on the shelf. |
Example Sentences Using These and Those
- These flowers smell nice. (Flowers are near the speaker.)
- Those flowers in the garden are red. (Flowers are away from the speaker.)
- These are my shoes. (Shoes are close by.)
- Those are not my pencils. (Pencils are at a distance.)
- Can you see these stars above us? (Stars are directly visible.)
- Those stars look brighter from here. (Stars are farther in the sky.)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Do not use "these" for singular objects. Use "this" instead.
- Do not use "those" if the objects are close. Use "these" for nearby items.
- Always make sure the noun is plural with "these" or "those."
- In writing, use "these" or "those" depending on the context of distance.
Usage with People, Objects, Time, and in Questions
These and those are used not just for objects, but also for people, time periods, and events. For example: "These students did their homework." (Students near the speaker.) "Those days were fun." (Days in the past, far in time.) In questions: "Are these your keys?" (Keys are near.) "Who are those people?" (People are far away.)
Other Usage Examples
- With objects: These chairs are comfortable. Those chairs need fixing.
- With people: These are my friends. Those are the new students.
- With time: These weeks have been busy. Those months were quiet.
Simple Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with "these" or "those":
- _____ dogs are barking loudly. (Far away)
- _____ oranges are sweet. (Near you)
- I liked _____ movies from last year. (Refers to the past)
- _____ pencils on my desk are new.
(Answers: Those, These, Those, These)
Related Grammar Topics
- Demonstrative Pronouns
- Determiners
- Basics of Grammar
- Determiners vs Pronouns
- Personal Pronouns
- Parts of Speech
- Introduction to Pronoun
- Superlative and Comparative Adjectives Examples
In summary, knowing the difference between these and those helps you use correct English in writing and speaking. "These" is for plural items near you; "those" is for plural items far away. Practice with examples and rules from Vedantu to get confident for exams and conversations. Understanding this basic grammar makes your English clearer and more accurate.
FAQs on Difference Between These and Those in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between these and those?
The main difference between these and those is that these refers to plural nouns that are near, while those refers to plural nouns that are far away.
- These = plural + near (e.g., These books are mine.)
- Those = plural + far (e.g., Those mountains look beautiful.)
2. When do you use these in a sentence?
You use these to refer to plural nouns that are close to the speaker.
- Used with plural countable nouns
- Indicates physical or figurative closeness
- Example: These apples are fresh.
3. When do you use those in a sentence?
You use those to refer to plural nouns that are far from the speaker.
- Used with plural countable nouns
- Shows distance in space or time
- Example: Those houses were built in 1920.
4. Are these and those demonstrative pronouns or demonstrative adjectives?
Both these and those can function as demonstrative pronouns or demonstrative adjectives depending on their use.
- Demonstrative adjective: before a noun (e.g., These shoes are new.)
- Demonstrative pronoun: replaces a noun (e.g., These are new.)
5. What are some examples of these and those in sentences?
Examples of these and those show how they indicate plural and distance.
- These cookies taste delicious. (near)
- Those stars are bright tonight. (far)
- I like these. (pronoun)
- I don’t want those. (pronoun)
6. Can these and those be used for people?
Yes, these and those can be used to refer to groups of people.
- These students are from Canada. (near)
- Those people live next door. (far)
7. What is the difference between this, that, these, and those?
The difference between this, that, these, and those depends on number and distance.
- This = singular + near
- That = singular + far
- These = plural + near
- Those = plural + far
8. What are common mistakes when using these and those?
A common mistake is using these or those with singular nouns instead of plural nouns.
- Incorrect: These book is interesting.
- Correct: This book is interesting.
- Correct: These books are interesting.
9. Can these and those refer to time instead of distance?
Yes, these and those can refer to time by showing nearness or distance in time.
- These days, I work from home. (present/near time)
- Those years were the best of my life. (past/distant time)
10. How do you remember the rule for these and those?
You can remember the rule by linking these with “near” and those with “far,” and both with plural nouns.
- These → plural + close
- Those → plural + distant
- Check that the noun and verb are plural.
