How to Use These and Those in Sentences with Easy 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
- Difference Between This and That
- Determiners vs Pronouns
- Worksheet for These and Those
- 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 What Is the Difference Between These and Those?
1. What is the difference between these and those with examples?
The main difference between these and those lies in proximity and number. These refers to plural items near the speaker, while those refers to plural items further away. For example: These apples are ripe; those apples are still green.
2. When do we use "these" and when do we use "those"?
Use these for plural things close to you. Use those for plural things farther away. This rule applies to objects and people. Remember to use this and that for singular items.
3. What are some example sentences using these and those?
Here are some examples illustrating the use of these and those: "These shoes are comfortable." "Those mountains are majestic." "These students are hardworking." "I don't like those colors."
4. Are "these" and "those" demonstrative pronouns or determiners?
These and those can function as both demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners. As pronouns, they stand alone (e.g., "These are mine"). As determiners, they modify a noun (e.g., "These books are new").
5. Can we use "these" and "those" for people?
Yes, you can use these and those to refer to groups of people. For example: "These people are friendly." "Those people over there seem lost."
6. When to use those or these?
Use these to refer to plural items near the speaker; use those for plural items farther away. Consider the distance and the number of items when making your choice.
7. What is an example of these and those?
These pencils are sharp, but those pencils are dull. This shows how proximity determines the choice between these and those.
8. Are balls these or those?
Whether you use "these" or "those" depends on the location of the balls relative to you. If the balls are close, they are "these balls"; if they are far, they are "those balls."
9. What is the difference between these people and those people?
The phrase "these people" refers to a group of people near the speaker, while "those people" points to a group further away. The distinction is based solely on proximity.
10. What is the rule for using these and those?
The rule is simple: use these for plural items nearby and those for plural items at a distance. This applies to both objects and people. Remember to use this and that for singular items.
11. What is the difference between these and this with example?
The difference lies in number: "this" is used for a single item near you (e.g., "This apple is red"), while "these" is used for multiple items near you (e.g., "These apples are red").
12. Difference between these and those in Hindi?
In Hindi, the distinction between "these" and "those" is often conveyed through context and words like 'yeh' (ये) for nearby items and 'woh' (वो) for distant ones. The precise translation depends on the specific sentence.
