Those Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
those
[รฐษสz ]
Definitions
demonstrative
used to refer to one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| those |
Use when referring to specific items or people that are not near the speaker or already mentioned in detail.
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| that |
Use when referring to a specific item or idea that is usually at a distance from the speaker in time or space, or already mentioned.
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| these |
Use when talking about specific items or people that are close to the speaker in physical space or time.
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| they |
Use as a pronoun to refer to a group of people or things already mentioned or understood in the context.
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Examples of usage
- Those are my favorite shoes.
- I don't like those apples.
- I need to return those books to the library.
demonstrative
used to indicate a specific thing or things that have already been mentioned or are known
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| those |
Used to refer to people or things that are at a distance, either physically or in time, from both the speaker and the listener. It's often used when talking about something in the past or in another place.
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| that |
Used to refer to a specific thing or person that is not very close to either the speaker or the listener in the current conversation. Often, it's used to introduce a clause.
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| these |
Used to refer to multiple items or people that are close to the speaker in distance or time. It often implies something current or nearby.
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| specific |
Employed when referring to a particular item, person, or detail that is clearly defined or identified. It emphasizes precision.
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Examples of usage
- Look at those beautiful flowers.
- I want to buy those expensive sunglasses.
- I remember reading those interesting articles.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Grammar
- 'Those' is a demonstrative pronoun that helps clarify what we're talking about in a sentence.
- It can also be used as an adjective, as in 'those shoes', to describe which specific items you mean.
- It indicates plural and refers to items that are not near the speaker, highlighting distance in both time and space.
Cultural Usage
- In literature, 'those' often features in dialogues to emphasize distance or separation between characters and their environment.
- Songs and poems frequently use this word to evoke nostalgia or memory, reminding listeners of things that were once cherished.
- Different cultures might use similar sounding words in their languages with similar meanings, highlighting a universal concept of distance.
Context in Literature
- Classic literature often uses this word to create contrast, like in 'Those Were the Days' as a phrase signifying cherished memories.
- Contemporary authors may employ 'those' to denote characters' perceptions of their surroundings, enhancing narrative depth.
- The word appears frequently in famous speeches, where it helps to clarify and emphasize important ideas.
Origin of 'those'
Main points about word origin
- This word comes from Old English 'รพฤ', which meant 'the' in a special way for things that are further away.
- In Middle English, it appeared as 'thos', showing how the pronunciation has changed over time.
- It has been used in English since around the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in the language.
The word 'those' originated from the Middle English 'thos', which is a combination of 'the' and 'those'. It has been in use since the 13th century and has evolved to become a commonly used pronoun and adjective in modern English.