Those vs. These — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Those" is a plural demonstrative pronoun for distant items or people. "These" refers to plural items or people that are near or present.
Difference Between Those and These
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Key Differences
"Those" and "These" are both plural demonstrative pronouns in English. Their primary function is to indicate specific things or people in a sentence, distinguishing them from others. The key difference between the two is the implied distance or proximity of the items or people they're referring to.
"Those" typically denotes items, people, or ideas that are farther away, either in physical distance or in terms of thought. For instance, if pointing to a group of trees in the distance, one might say, "Those trees are tall." Similarly, in a conversation discussing past events, "Those were the days" implies a time that's no longer present.
"These," in contrast, signifies items or people that are close by or currently in focus. If you're in a store, holding a bunch of grapes, you'd likely say, "How much are these?" It indicates immediate presence or relevancy. Likewise, in a conversation, "These ideas are innovative" points to ideas currently being discussed.
In the realm of written language, "Those" and "These" can also help specify which items or ideas are being referred to, especially when the context doesn't provide physical proximity. For instance, in a document with multiple listed points, "These points are essential" would refer to the ones most recently listed, whereas "Those points mentioned earlier" would call back to prior ones.
In summary, while "Those" and "These" both serve to identify specific things or people in a group, their usage is differentiated based on the perceived distance or immediacy of what they're pointing to.
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Comparison Chart
Proximity
Refers to distant items/people.
Refers to nearby items/people.
Typical Context
Discussing things not immediately present or from the past.
Discussing things that are currently present or in focus.
Example in Conversation
"Those were the days."
"These are the times that try men's souls."
Spatial Reference
"Look at those mountains in the distance."
"Look at these photos I just took."
Temporal Reference
"Those summers we spent at the lake were fun."
"These moments with you are precious."
Compare with Definitions
Those
Indicating specific things/people not currently present.
Those friends I made in college were the best.
These
Indicating specific things/people currently present.
These students are eager to learn.
Those
Referring to specific things/people far away in space.
Those mountains look majestic.
These
Referring to specific things/people close in space.
These apples are fresh.
Those
Used in contrast to "these."
I don't like these shoes, but I like those.
These
Referring to the former of two things mentioned.
Between these two options, I'd choose the first.
Those
Referring to the latter of two things mentioned.
Between the two plans, those were more feasible.
These
Denoting things immediately at hand or under consideration.
These points you've raised are valid.
Those
Denoting things previously mentioned or understood.
Those being the conditions, I can't accept the deal.
These
Used in contrast to "those."
These chapters are easy, but those are challenging.
Those
Plural of that
Those bolts go with these parts.
These
Plural of this
Those
Plural of that
Those who serve [those persons who serve]
Don't touch those [those objects over there]
These
Plural of this
Those
The plural of that. See That.
These
The plural of this. See This.
Common Curiosities
Is "these" always about physical proximity?
Not always; it can also indicate immediacy in thought or discussion.
Can I use "those" and "these" interchangeably?
No, they differ in terms of perceived distance or immediacy.
Which pronoun would refer to items just mentioned in writing?
"These" would typically refer to items or ideas most recently discussed.
Can "those" refer to past events?
Yes, it can denote past events or times, e.g., "Those were the best days."
Can "those" and "these" refer to people?
Yes, both can refer to groups of people, e.g., "Those are my friends" or "These are my colleagues."
What is the singular form of "those"?
The singular form is "that."
Are "these" and "those" considered adjectives?
They can function as adjectives when describing nouns, e.g., "those shoes" or "these books."
Do "these" and "those" only relate to space?
No, they can also refer to time or the sequence of ideas in a discussion.
Can "those" refer to future events?
It's less common but possible in contexts like "Those will be the days."
What is the singular form of "these"?
The singular form is "this."
Do other languages have similar distinctions as "these" and "those"?
Many languages have demonstrative pronouns with similar distinctions of proximity.
In a store, which pronoun would I use for items I'm holding?
Typically, "these," as in "How much are these?"
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
