What is the Difference Between These and Those?

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The difference between "these" and "those" lies in their usage, which is determined by the distance of the objects being referred to. Both words are pronouns used to point to people and things, but they are used in different contexts.

  • These:
  • Used to refer to more than one object that is near to the speaker.
  • Can be used to indicate the present time.
  • Examples: These flowers are beautiful, These books are mine.
  • Those:
  • Used to refer to more than one object that is far from the speaker.
  • Can be used to indicate the past time.
  • Examples: Those pups are playing, Those days in the school were the best.

In summary, "these" is used to refer to plural objects that are close to the speaker, while "those" is used to refer to plural objects that are at a distance. They cannot be used synonymously, and their usage depends on the context and the distance of the objects being referred to.

Comparative Table: These vs Those

Here is a table comparing the difference between "these" and "those":

Feature These Those
Meaning Refers to multiple objects near the speaker Refers to multiple objects far from the speaker
Usage Pronoun Pronoun
Example These flowers are beautiful. Those pups are playing.
Indication Present time Past or future time
Object Nearby Far away

Both "these" and "those" are plural pronouns used to refer to objects or people. "These" is used to indicate objects that are near the speaker, while "those" is used to refer to objects or people that are farther away. Additionally, "these" can be used to indicate the present time, whereas "those" can be used to indicate the past or future time.