those
Referring to people or things further away (plural).
Use 'those' to identify multiple items or people located at a distance from you.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used to point at multiple things far away.
- The plural counterpart to the singular word 'that'.
- Requires a plural noun or plural verb agreement.
Summary
Use 'those' to identify multiple items or people located at a distance from you.
- Used to point at multiple things far away.
- The plural counterpart to the singular word 'that'.
- Requires a plural noun or plural verb agreement.
Use distance as your guide
If you are pointing at something far away, reach for 'those'. If you can touch it, use 'these'.
Watch your verb agreement
Always pair 'those' with plural verbs like 'are' or 'were'. Never use 'is' or 'was' with 'those'.
Cultural pointing etiquette
In many Western cultures, pointing at people with a finger can be considered rude. Use 'those' with a subtle nod or eye direction instead.
Exemples
4 sur 4Those shoes look very comfortable.
Those were the best years of my life.
Are those yours?
Those results support our previous hypothesis.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of 'Those' as 'Th-far-ose'. If it's far, use 'those'.
Overview
'Those' serves as a crucial linguistic tool for pointing out multiple entities that are not close to the speaker. Because it is plural, it must always be followed by a plural noun (e.g., 'those books') or stand alone as a pronoun representing a plural group. It functions primarily to create distance, distinguishing items 'over there' from those 'right here' (which would be 'these').
Usage Patterns
When used as a determiner, 'those' precedes a plural noun, such as 'those cars' or 'those people.' When used as a pronoun, it replaces the noun entirely, for example, 'I like these shoes, but I prefer those.' Grammatically, it requires plural verb agreement; one must say 'Those are mine' rather than 'Those is mine.'
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in daily life when identifying objects in a store, pointing out people in a photograph, or referring to events that happened in the past. In academic or formal writing, it is often used to refer back to a previously mentioned group of ideas or items to avoid repetition.
Similar Words: The primary contrast is with 'these,' which refers to things nearby. While 'those' suggests distance, 'these' suggests proximity. It is also distinct from 'them,' which is a personal pronoun used as an object. 'Those' acts as a pointer or identifier, whereas 'them' simply refers to the people or things themselves without the spatial implication.
Notes d'usage
Use 'those' when the distance is clear to the listener. It is neutral in register, suitable for both casual conversation and professional reports. Always ensure the noun following it is plural.
Erreurs courantes
A common error is saying 'those book' instead of 'those books'. Another mistake is using 'those' when the object is physically close to the speaker. Remember that plural nouns must always follow the determiner.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'Those' as 'Th-far-ose'. If it's far, use 'those'.
Origine du mot
Derived from Old English 'þā', which was the plural form of the demonstrative pronoun 'þæt' (that). It has evolved alongside the English language to maintain its function as a distal demonstrative.
Contexte culturel
In English-speaking cultures, using demonstratives like 'those' helps clarify focus in group settings. It is essential for clear communication when identifying specific items in a busy environment.
Exemples
Those shoes look very comfortable.
everydayThose were the best years of my life.
formalAre those yours?
informalThose results support our previous hypothesis.
academicFamille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
those who
in those days
Souvent confondu avec
These is for plural items nearby. Those is for plural items far away.
Them is an object pronoun used to refer to a group. Those is a demonstrative used to point out a group.
Modèles grammaticaux
Use distance as your guide
If you are pointing at something far away, reach for 'those'. If you can touch it, use 'these'.
Watch your verb agreement
Always pair 'those' with plural verbs like 'are' or 'were'. Never use 'is' or 'was' with 'those'.
Cultural pointing etiquette
In many Western cultures, pointing at people with a finger can be considered rude. Use 'those' with a subtle nod or eye direction instead.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word for the sentence.
Look at ___ birds flying high in the sky.
Birds are plural and far away, so 'those' is the correct choice.
Score : /1
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsNo, 'those' is specifically for things that are distant. For items close to you, you should use 'these'.
No, it can function as both a determiner (followed by a noun) and a pronoun (standing alone). Both usages are grammatically correct.
No, 'those' is gender-neutral in English. It applies equally to people, objects, and abstract concepts regardless of gender.
Apprendre en contexte
Grammaire lie
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
about
A1'About' signifie 'à propos de' quand on parle d'un sujet, ou 'environ' pour une quantité.
above
A2Indique une position plus haute que quelque chose d'autre, juste au-dessus.
accident
A2Un événement imprévu qui cause du tort ou des blessures.
action
A2C'est le fait de faire quelque chose pour atteindre un but.
after
A2'After' veut dire 'après', quelque chose qui arrive plus tard dans le temps ou dans l'espace.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' veut dire 'encore', que quelque chose se produit une deuxième fois ou plus.
aged
B1Cela précise l'âge d'une personne ou d'un objet.
alive
A2Quelque chose qui est en vie, qui n'est pas mort.
all
A2'All' désigne la totalité de quelque chose, chaque élément sans exception.
