These vs. Those

Attribute	These	Those
Definition	Used to refer to objects or people near the speaker	Used to refer to objects or people away from the speaker
Proximity	Near the speaker	Away from the speaker
Plural form	These	Those
Demonstrative pronoun	These are mine.	Those are yours.
Used as determiner	These books are interesting.	Those cars are expensive.
Used as pronoun	I like these.	He prefers those.

Introduction

When it comes to distinguishing between "these" and "those," it is important to understand their usage and the attributes associated with each. Both words are demonstrative pronouns that help us point out specific objects or groups of objects. However, they differ in terms of proximity and the number of objects being referred to. In this article, we will explore the attributes of "these" and "those" in detail, highlighting their differences and providing examples to clarify their usage.

Definition and Usage

"These" and "those" are both demonstrative pronouns used to indicate objects or groups of objects. "These" is used to refer to objects that are close in proximity to the speaker or the person being addressed. On the other hand, "those" is used to refer to objects that are farther away from the speaker or the person being addressed. These pronouns are often used to avoid repetition and provide clarity in communication.

Proximity

One of the key differences between "these" and "those" lies in their proximity. "These" is used to refer to objects that are near the speaker or the person being addressed. For example, if you are holding a book in your hand and want to draw attention to it, you would say, "These books are really interesting." The use of "these" indicates that the books are close to you.

On the other hand, "those" is used to refer to objects that are farther away from the speaker or the person being addressed. For instance, if you are pointing at a group of books on a shelf across the room, you would say, "Those books are really interesting." Here, "those" indicates that the books are not within immediate reach.

Therefore, the choice between "these" and "those" depends on the proximity of the objects being referred to, with "these" indicating closeness and "those" indicating distance.

Number of Objects

Another important attribute that sets "these" and "those" apart is the number of objects being referred to. "These" is used when referring to multiple objects that are close to the speaker or the person being addressed. For example, if you are at a store and want to buy a few items, you might say, "I would like to buy these apples, these oranges, and these bananas." Here, "these" is used to indicate that the apples, oranges, and bananas are all close to you.

On the other hand, "those" is used when referring to multiple objects that are farther away from the speaker or the person being addressed. For instance, if you are at a park and see a group of trees in the distance, you might say, "Look at those tall trees." In this case, "those" is used to indicate that the trees are not within immediate reach.

Therefore, the choice between "these" and "those" also depends on the number of objects being referred to, with "these" indicating multiple objects in close proximity and "those" indicating multiple objects at a distance.

Examples

To further illustrate the usage of "these" and "those," let's consider a few examples:

• I love these flowers in my garden. (The flowers are close to the speaker.)
• Those mountains in the distance are breathtaking. (The mountains are far away from the speaker.)
• Can you pass me these documents, please? (The documents are close to the person being addressed.)
• I need to return those books to the library. (The books are not within immediate reach of the person being addressed.)
• These shoes are too tight. (The shoes are close to the speaker.)
• Those cars parked on the street are causing a traffic jam. (The cars are far away from the speaker.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, "these" and "those" are demonstrative pronouns that help us point out specific objects or groups of objects. While "these" is used to refer to objects that are close in proximity to the speaker or the person being addressed, "those" is used to refer to objects that are farther away. Additionally, "these" is used when referring to multiple objects that are close, whereas "those" is used when referring to multiple objects that are distant. Understanding the attributes and usage of "these" and "those" can greatly enhance our communication skills and ensure clarity in our expressions.