The Difference Between “These” and “Those”

Demonstrative pronouns such as “these” and “those” are used to refer to specific people, places, or things. However, there is a distinction between the two that can be confusing for learners of English.

When to Use “These”

To refer to things that are near the speaker in space or time: These books are mine.
To refer to things that have just been mentioned or are about to be mentioned: These are the reasons why I’m leaving.
To emphasize a specific group of things: These students are exceptional.

When to Use “Those”

To refer to things that are farther away from the speaker in space or time: Those mountains are beautiful.
To refer to things that have already been mentioned: I have two cars. Those are mine.
To emphasize a different group of things: Those students are not as good.

Examples

These are the keys to my house.
I have two children. Those are my daughters.
This is a great book. I recommend it to those who like adventure stories.

Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct demonstrative pronoun:

The flowers on the table are beautiful. _____ flowers are my favorite.
I have two brothers. _____ brothers are older than me.
The TV shows I watch are very interesting. I like _____ shows a lot.

Tips for Mastering “These” and “Those”

Remember that “these” is used for things near the speaker, while “those” is used for things farther away.
Pay attention to the context of the sentence to determine which demonstrative pronoun is appropriate.
Practice using “these” and “those” in conversation and writing exercises.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a teacher or tutor if you’re struggling with this grammar point.

By following these tips, you can master the use of “these” and “those” and improve your English communication skills.

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