Those: meaning, definitions and examples

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those

[ðəʊz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Pronoun}

demonstrative

used to refer to one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge

Synonyms

that, these, they.

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. Those shoes are mine I remember those days fondly
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. That car is very expensive Remember that time we went to the beach?
these	Use when talking about specific items or people that are close to the speaker in physical space or time. These cookies are delicious These are my friends
they	Use as a pronoun to refer to a group of people or things already mentioned or understood in the context. They went to the park The books are on the table; they are for you

Examples of usage

Those are my favorite shoes.
I don't like those apples.
I need to return those books to the library.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

demonstrative

used to indicate a specific thing or things that have already been mentioned or are known

Synonyms

specific, that, these.

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. Those shoes over there are mine. I remember those days when we used to play in the park.
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. That book on the shelf is mine. I heard that you are moving to another city.
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. These apples are delicious. Take a look at these documents and let me know what you think.
specific	Employed when referring to a particular item, person, or detail that is clearly defined or identified. It emphasizes precision. I need a specific kind of paint for this project. Can you give me the specific time he called?

Examples of usage

Look at those beautiful flowers.
I want to buy those expensive sunglasses.
I remember reading those interesting articles.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from Old English 'þā', 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "those" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aqueles

aquelas
esses
essas

🇮🇳 वे

🇩🇪 jene

🇮🇩 itu

🇺🇦 ті

🇵🇱 tamci

🇯🇵 それら

🇫🇷 ceux

🇪🇸 esos

esas
aquellos
aquellas

🇹🇷 şunlar

🇰🇷 그것들

🇸🇦 أولئك

🇨🇿 ti

🇸🇰 tí

🇨🇳 那些

🇸🇮 tisti

🇮🇸 þeir

þær
þau

🇰🇿 солар

🇬🇪 ისინი

🇦🇿 onlar

🇲🇽 esos

esas
aquellos
aquellas

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #60, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.

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57 work
58 after
59 then
60 those
61 must
62 years
63 where
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