Explanation at your level:
You use these when you have more than one thing. If you have two pens in your hand, you say: 'These are my pens.' It is for things that are near you. If they are far away, use 'those' instead. Remember: these = here, those = there.
These is the plural of 'this'. Use it to introduce a group of items. 'I like these photos.' It is very useful for shopping or showing things to friends. Always make sure the noun after it is plural, like 'these books' or 'these people.'
As an intermediate learner, you will use these to refer to groups in your writing. It helps link sentences together. For example, 'I bought some flowers. These flowers smell lovely.' It is also used in the phrase 'these days' to talk about current trends or habits.
In academic or professional contexts, these acts as a cohesive device. It refers back to a set of ideas or arguments previously stated. Using 'these' effectively can make your writing sound more sophisticated. Be careful not to confuse it with 'those' when discussing abstract concepts that are not currently the focus.
At this level, you might use these in more nuanced ways, such as in rhetorical questions or emphatic structures. 'Are these the best we can do?' conveys a sense of skepticism. It is also used in legal or formal documentation to define groups of items or conditions clearly. Understanding the subtle difference between 'these' and 'these ones' is important for natural-sounding English.
Mastery of these involves understanding its role in complex discourse. It can be used to create distance or emphasis depending on the speaker's intent. In literary analysis, authors use it to ground the reader in the immediate scene or to highlight specific plural motifs. It is a fundamental building block of English syntax that allows for precise reference in highly complex, multi-clause sentences.
30 सेकंड में शब्द
- Plural form of 'this'.
- Used for things near the speaker.
- Always followed by a plural noun.
- Rhymes with 'cheese'.
Hey there! Let's talk about these. Think of it as a pointing finger for plural things. When you have more than one object, person, or idea right in front of you, you use these to identify them.
It is the plural partner to the word this. If you hold one apple, you say 'this apple.' If you hold three apples, you say 'these apples.' It is all about proximity and quantity!
The word these has deep roots in Old English, evolving from the word þēs. It is part of a Germanic family of demonstratives that helped speakers point to objects in their environment.
Over centuries, the spelling shifted from early forms like thes or thise. It is closely related to the German diese, showing how languages share a common ancient ancestor. It has stayed remarkably consistent in its function for over a thousand years!
You use these whenever you are referring to a group of things nearby. It is very common in daily conversation, whether you are in a shop or at home. For example, 'These shoes are comfortable' is a classic way to use it.
In formal writing, it is used to refer back to points previously mentioned. 'These findings suggest...' is a common academic phrase. It is neutral in register, meaning it fits perfectly in both casual chats and professional reports.
While these is a functional word, it appears in many common phrases. 1. These days: meaning 'nowadays' or 'currently' (e.g., 'Things are different these days'). 2. One of these days: meaning 'sometime in the future' (e.g., 'I will learn to cook one of these days'). 3. These things happen: a way to say something is normal or unavoidable. 4. All these years: referring to a long duration of time. 5. By these means: a formal way to say 'using this method'.
Grammatically, these is always followed by a plural noun. You cannot say 'these apple.' It must be 'these apples.' It functions as a demonstrative determiner.
Pronunciation is key! In both British and American English, it is pronounced /ðiːz/. Notice the 'z' sound at the end, not an 's'. It rhymes with 'cheese', 'please', 'freeze', 'breeze', and 'knees'. It is usually unstressed unless you are emphasizing the items specifically.
Fun Fact
It has been used in English for over 1,000 years with almost the same meaning.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'ee' sound with a voiced 'z' at the end.
Similar to UK, clear 'z' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing as 'thees' with an 's'
- Confusing with 'this'
- Dropping the 'z' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Very easy to write
Very easy to speak
Very easy to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
एडवांस्ड
Grammar to Know
Demonstrative Pronouns
These are mine.
Plural Nouns
These cats.
Subject-Verb Agreement
These are.
Examples by Level
These are my keys.
These = plural near, keys = plural object
Plural verb 'are'
I like these shoes.
These = pointing at shoes
Determiner + Noun
These apples are red.
These = the apples here
Plural subject
Are these your books?
Question form
Inversion for question
These cats are cute.
These = group of cats
Plural noun
Look at these photos!
These = photos in hand
Imperative sentence
These are very big.
These = referring to items
Pronoun usage
I need these pens.
These = specific pens
Direct object
These days are busy.
I bought these at the market.
These students are very smart.
Can you hold these bags?
These cookies taste great.
I love these songs.
These flowers are for you.
Are these the right ones?
These findings are significant.
I have lived here all these years.
These are the issues we must discuss.
One of these days, I will travel.
These things happen in life.
These are the best options available.
These instructions are very clear.
I prefer these to those.
These are the primary concerns of the committee.
By these means, we can achieve our goal.
These results contradict our previous data.
These are not just suggestions; they are rules.
These factors contribute to the climate.
These are the people who helped us.
These are the most challenging tasks.
These are the consequences of your actions.
These are the very principles we uphold.
These are, by all accounts, the finest examples.
These are the nuances that define the style.
These are the arguments that carry weight.
These are the hidden costs of the project.
These are the variables we must control.
These are the voices of the community.
These are the moments that define us.
These are the ghosts of our past mistakes.
These are the paradoxes inherent in the system.
These are the fragments of a lost civilization.
These are the subtle shifts in the narrative.
These are the echoes of a bygone era.
These are the manifestations of deep change.
These are the unspoken rules of the game.
These are the final pieces of the puzzle.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
Idioms & Expressions
"these days"
at the present time
I don't go out much these days.
neutral"one of these days"
at some point in the near future
One of these days, you'll see I'm right.
casual"these things happen"
an expression of resignation
Don't worry about the spilled milk; these things happen.
casual"all these years"
for a very long time
I've been here all these years.
neutral"these are the breaks"
that is just how life is
I didn't get the job, but these are the breaks.
casual"by these means"
by this method
By these means, we solved the problem.
formalEasily Confused
both are plural
these=near, those=far
These are here; those are there.
both refer to proximity
this=singular, these=plural
This pen; these pens.
both are determiners
the=general, these=specific
The books vs these books.
redundant
these is enough
Use 'these' instead of 'these ones'.
Sentence Patterns
These + are + noun
These are my keys.
These + noun + are + adjective
These apples are sweet.
I + like + these + noun
I like these books.
These + are + the + noun
These are the results.
By + these + means
By these means, we win.
शब्द परिवार
संबंधित
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
सामान्य गलतियाँ
These is plural, so it needs a plural verb.
The noun must be plural.
Use 'those' for things far away.
'These ones' is often redundant.
Information is uncountable, so use 'this'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'th' pointing to things near you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When showing items to others.
Cultural Insight
Used in almost every English conversation.
Grammar Shortcut
These = Plural.
Say It Right
Focus on the voiced 'z' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't add 's' to the end of 'these'.
Did You Know?
It is one of the oldest words in English.
Study Smart
Practice with objects on your desk.
Rhyme Time
Rhyme with 'please' to get the sound right.
Context Tip
Use it to refer to your own ideas in essays.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
These = The + See (I see these things right here).
Visual Association
Pointing at a group of objects near your feet.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Point to 3 things near you and say 'These are...'
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
Old English
Original meaning: Demonstrative pronoun
सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
None
Used universally in all English-speaking countries.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- These are the reports
- These tasks are priority
- These meetings are long
at home
- These are my things
- These rooms are clean
- These lights are bright
travel
- These are my tickets
- These bags are heavy
- These seats are taken
school
- These are my notes
- These books are heavy
- These lessons are fun
Conversation Starters
"What are these things on your desk?"
"Do you like these songs?"
"Are these the best options?"
"Why are these books here?"
"What do you think of these ideas?"
Journal Prompts
List three things near you and use 'these' to describe them.
Write about why these days feel busy.
Describe what you would change about these current events.
Reflect on these past few years.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
8 सवालUse 'these' for things near you, 'those' for things far away.
No, it must be plural.
It is an old Germanic spelling.
Like 'cheese' but with a 'th' at the start.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
Yes, it is very common in writing.
These.
Yes, 'this'.
खुद को परखो
___ are my pens.
Pens is plural and near.
Which is correct?
Needs plural noun.
Can you use 'these' for something far away?
Use 'those' for far away.
Word
मतलब
Matches idioms to meaning.
Subject-verb order.
I like ___ shoes.
Shoes is plural.
What is the singular of these?
This is the singular.
Is 'these' a verb?
It is a determiner.
Common idiom.
___ are the principles we follow.
Refers to the current list.
स्कोर: /10
Summary
Use 'these' to point to a group of things that are close to you.
- Plural form of 'this'.
- Used for things near the speaker.
- Always followed by a plural noun.
- Rhymes with 'cheese'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'th' pointing to things near you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When showing items to others.
Cultural Insight
Used in almost every English conversation.
Grammar Shortcut
These = Plural.
उदाहरण
These shoes are too small.
Related Content
संदर्भ में सीखें
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
about
A1'about' का मतलब होता है 'किसी चीज़ के बारे में' या 'लगभग' किसी मात्रा के लिए।
above
A2किसी चीज़ से ऊँचे स्थान पर होना, ठीक ऊपर।
accident
A2एक दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण घटना जिससे नुकसान या चोट लग सकती है।
action
A2किसी लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए कुछ करने की क्रिया।
after
A2'after' का मतलब होता है 'किसी चीज़ के बाद', समय या स्थान में।
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'again' का मतलब है 'फिर से', यानी कोई चीज़ दोबारा होना।
aged
B1किसी व्यक्ति या चीज़ की उम्र बताने के लिए इस्तेमाल होता है।
alive
A2जो जीवित है, मृत नहीं है।
all
A2'all' का मतलब है 'सब' या 'पूरा', किसी चीज़ की पूरी मात्रा या हर एक हिस्सा।
