4 Ways to Use These and Those

4 Ways to Use These and Those
4 Ways to Use These and Those

Table of contents:

Anonim

Confused about when to use these And those? Improve your knowledge of English grammar by reading this little guide on how to find out the difference.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Method 1: Based on Distance

Use These and Those Step 1
Use These and Those Step 1

Step 1. Use these when an object is close

  • These books on the shelf next to me belong to Rajeev >> These books on the shelf next to me are from Rajeev.
  • Look at all these bracelets on my wrist! >> Look at all these bracelets on my wrist!
  • Who put these cupcakes in the refrigerator? >> Who put these cupcakes in the fridge?
Use These and Those Step 2
Use These and Those Step 2

Step 2. Use those when something is relatively distant

  • Those mountains look really small from here. >> Those mountains look just like small from here.
  • Could you hand me those boxes on the other side of the room? >> You could pass me those boxes that are on the other side of the room?
  • Why haven't those scientists at NASA found extraterrestrial life? >> Why those NASA scientists have not yet found extraterrestrial lives?

Method 2 of 4: Method 2: Singular or Plural

Use These and Those Step 3
Use These and Those Step 3

Step 1. These is the plural form of this.

  • Singular. This book (1 book) on the shelf next to me belongs to Rajeev. >> This book (1 book) on the shelf next to me belongs to Rajeev.
  • Plural. These books (5 books) on the shelf next to me belong to Rajeev. >> These books (5 books) on the shelf next to me belong to Rajeev.
  • Singular. Look at this bracelet (1 bracelet) on my wrist! >> Look this bracelet (1 bracelet) on my wrist!
  • Plural. Look at all these bracelets (10 bracelets) on my wrist! >> Look at all these bracelets (10 bracelets) on my wrist!
  • Singular. Who put this cupcake (1 cupcake) in the refrigerator? >> Who put this cupcake (1 cupcake) in the refrigerator?
  • Plural. Who put these cupcakes (12 cupcakes) in the refrigerator? >> Who put these cupcakes (12 cupcakes) in the refrigerator?
Use These and Those Step 4
Use These and Those Step 4

Step 2. Those is the plural form of that.

  • Singular. That mountain (1 mountain) looks really small from here. >> That mountain (1 mountain) looks just like little view from here.
  • Plural. Those mountains (100 mountains) look really small from here. >> Those mountains (100 mountains) look just like small views from here.
  • Singular. Could you hand me that box (1 box) on the other side of the room? >> You could pass me that box (1 box) on the other side of the room?
  • Plural. Could you hand me those boxes (5 boxes) on the other side of the room? >> You could pass me those boxes (5 boxes) on the other side of the room?
  • Singular. Why hasn't that scientist (1 scientist) at NASA found extraterrestrial life? >> Why that NASA scientist (1scientist) found no extraterrestrial lives?
  • Plural. Why haven't those scientists (200 scientists) at NASA found extraterrestrial life? >> Why those NASA scientists (200 scientists) have not found extraterrestrial lives?

Method 3 of 4: Method 3: Based on Time

Use These and Those Step 5
Use These and Those Step 5

Step 1. Use these when the thing you are talking about is happening, has just happened or will happen in the near future

  • These shows I've been watching are absolutely extraordinary. >> These programs I am following are absolutely extraordinary.
  • Have you seen these letters to the editor in today's news? >> You have seen these letters to the editor in the news of the day?
  • Why don't you use her ideas in these events later today? >> Why don't you use your ideas in these events tonight?
Use These and Those Step 6
Use These and Those Step 6

Step 2. Use those when the thing you are talking about happened in the relatively distant past or will happen in the relatively distant future

  • Those shows I watched last week were absolutely extraordinary. >> Those programs I watched last week were absolutely extraordinary.
  • Did you see those letters to the editor in yesterday's news? >> You have seen those letters to the editor in yesterday's news?
  • Why don't you use her ideas in those events tomorrow? >> Why don't you use your ideas in those events of tomorrow

Method 4 of 4: Method 4: Substituting a Noun

Use These and Those Step 7
Use These and Those Step 7

Step 1. Use these to replace a noun that is close in space and time

  • I'm holding three chocolate bars. Pick out one of these. >> I have three chocolate bars in my hand. Choose one of them these - these replaces "chocolate bars".
  • Would you like to borrow some books? Here, take these. >> Would you like to borrow some books? Here, take it these - these replaces "books".
  • These are so beautiful! Thank you for the flowers. >> Oh, these they are so beautiful! Thank you for the flowers - these replaces "flowers".

Step 2. Use those to replace a noun far away in space and time

  • That man over there is holding three chocolate bars. Do you want one of those? >> That man over there is holding three chocolate bars. Do you want one of those? - those replaces "chocolate bars".
  • Would you like to borrow some books? Take those over there on the shelf. >> Would you like to borrow some books? Take the ones over there on the shelf - those replaces "books".
  • Those were so beautiful! Thank you for the flowers you gave me yesterday. >> Oh, those they were really beautiful! Thanks for the flowers you gave me yesterday - those replaces "flowers".

Advice

  • If the object you are talking about is uncountable (milk, software, rain), just use this or that.
  • If the object you are talking about is countable (pencils, sheep, people) use these or those.

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