Understanding These 5 Key Uses Of The Word "These" In English Today
Have you ever felt a little puzzled by certain words in English, especially those that seem to point at things? It's a common experience, you know. Words like "this," "that," "these," and "those" are quite useful, but they can sometimes make us pause. They help us show exactly what we are talking about, whether it is a person or an item, and getting them right makes our speaking and writing much clearer, so it's almost a skill you just pick up over time.
Figuring out which of these words to pick can feel a bit like a small puzzle. You might wonder, for example, when you should say "this" and when "these" is the better choice. It's a question many people have, and it really comes down to whether you are talking about one thing or many. That difference, you see, is pretty big when you are trying to make your message understood.
Today, we are going to look closely at the word "these." We will break down five important ways we use it, helping to clear up any confusion. By the end, you will have a much better idea of how "these" works in everyday English, and how it helps us talk about things right around us, or even introduce parts of a story, too it's almost like a helpful guide.
Table of Contents
- The Role of "These" as a Demonstrative Word
- "These" for More Than One: The Plural Aspect
- Pointing to What's Close: Near in Space and Time
- Using "These" to Start a Story: Spoken English
- "These" as a Determiner and a Pronoun
- Common Questions About "These"
The Role of "These" as a Demonstrative Word
The word "these," along with "this," "that," and "those," falls into a group of words called demonstratives. What this means, simply put, is that they help us point. They let us show a specific person or thing we are thinking about. Think of them as little verbal arrows, pointing to something particular. For instance, if you have some items right in front of you, you might say "I like these." It's a way of being very clear about what you mean, you know, rather than just saying "I like things."
Demonstratives are quite useful because they make our sentences more precise. They tell the listener or reader exactly which noun we are referring to. When we use "these," we are usually talking about something specific that is nearby. It helps to set a clear picture in someone's mind. So, if you are holding a few items, you would naturally use "these" to talk about them. It just makes good sense, does not it?
This pointing function is a core part of how "these" works in our language. It's not just a random word; it has a job to do, which is to indicate something specific. When you hear or read "these," your mind probably pictures a group of items or people that are close by. It’s a pretty direct way to communicate, and that is a good thing for sure. This aspect, you see, is pretty foundational to its use.
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"These" for More Than One: The Plural Aspect
One of the most important things to remember about "these" is that it always refers to more than one item. It is, in fact, the plural form of the word "this." So, if you are talking about just one book, you would say "this book." But if you have several books, you would say "these books." It is a basic rule of English grammar, and it helps us keep our numbers straight, more or less.
The Oxford Advanced American Dictionary, for instance, makes this point very clear. It defines "these" as the plural of "this." This distinction is really important when you are choosing which word to use. You would not say "these information," for example, because "information" is a word that does not have a plural form in the same way. Instead, you would say "this information." It is a little tricky, perhaps, but quite logical once you get the hang of it.
Understanding this plural nature helps avoid common mistakes. When you are referring to a group of people, a collection of objects, or even a series of events, "these" is the word you want. It signals to your listener or reader that you are talking about multiple items. So, if you are looking at several photographs, you would say "these pictures," not "this pictures." It is a simple yet very important rule for speaking clearly, you know, and it helps a lot.
Pointing to What's Close: Near in Space and Time
Beyond just being plural, "these" also tells us that the items or people we are talking about are close to us. This closeness can be in terms of physical space, meaning they are right here, perhaps even within reach. Or, it can be in terms of time, meaning something happening right now or very recently. It helps us describe things that are immediate to our experience, that is, what is happening around us.
For example, if you are holding a few apples in your hand, you would naturally say, "I picked these apples." You are referring to items that are physically near you. The text mentions, "You use these to refer to people or things that are near you, especially when you touch them or point to them." This really captures the essence of its use in a very practical way, so it is quite helpful.
This idea of proximity also applies to situations or events that are current. You might say, "These days, things are a bit different," referring to the present time. Or, "These problems need our attention now," indicating issues that are immediate. So, "these" helps us connect our words to what is happening right here and right now. It is a word that grounds our language in the present moment, which is a pretty cool thing, actually.
Using "These" to Start a Story: Spoken English
Here is a rather interesting way "these" gets used, especially when people are just chatting or telling a story. In spoken English, people sometimes use "these" to bring new people or things into a story they are sharing. It is a casual, conversational way to introduce something new without a lot of formal setup. It makes the story flow more naturally, you know, almost like you are just thinking out loud.
The text gives a great example: "I was on my own and these fellows came along towards me." In this sentence, "these fellows" are new characters being introduced into the narrative. The speaker is not pointing at them physically; rather, they are using "these" to bring them into the listener's imagination as part of the story. It is a common way we talk, and it adds a touch of immediacy to the tale, so it is quite effective.
Another example from the text is, "She used to make these chocolate puddle." Here, "these chocolate puddle" refers to a type of item the person used to make, perhaps a specific kind of dessert. It is not about pointing to puddles of chocolate right now, but about introducing the idea of them into the story of what she used to do. This usage is a good example of how language can be flexible and creative, especially when we are just talking amongst ourselves, you know, casually.
"These" as a Determiner and a Pronoun
The word "these" is quite versatile; it can act as both a determiner and a pronoun. Knowing the difference helps us understand its role in a sentence. When "these" is a determiner, it comes right before a plural noun and tells us which specific nouns we are talking about. It "determines" the noun, in a way. For instance, in the sentence "I put these pictures up here," "these" is a determiner because it modifies "pictures." It tells us exactly which pictures, you know, the ones I put up.
On the other hand, "these" can also be a pronoun. When it is a pronoun, it stands in for a plural noun that has already been mentioned or is clear from the situation. It does not need another noun right after it. For example, if someone asks, "Which books do you want?" you might reply, "I want these." Here, "these" stands in for "these books." It is a shortcut, really, to avoid repeating words, and it is pretty useful in daily talk.
The text explains that "They can both be determiners or pronouns." This flexibility is part of what makes English so dynamic. Whether it is setting up a noun or taking its place, "these" performs an important function in communication. It is a word that helps us talk about specific groups of things, whether they are just mentioned or already known to everyone involved in the conversation. So, it is a word that does a lot of work, actually, in a sentence.
Common Questions About "These"
What is the difference between "this" and "these"?
The main difference, you know, is about numbers. "This" is for one item, while "these" is for more than one. For example, you would say "this apple" if there is just one, but "these apples" if there are several. They both point to things that are close by, but "this" is singular and "these" is plural, which is a key distinction, more or less, in how we use them.
How do you use "these" in a story?
In spoken stories, people often use "these" to bring new people or things into the narrative. It is a casual way to introduce elements without formal phrasing. For instance, someone might say, "I was walking, and then these birds flew over," introducing the birds into the story they are telling. It is a pretty common way to make a story feel more immediate and personal, you know, as if you are right there.
Can "these" be a determiner and a pronoun?
Yes, it certainly can be both. When "these" comes before a plural noun, like in "these shoes are new," it is acting as a determiner. When "these" stands alone, replacing a plural noun, like in "I like these" (meaning "these shoes"), it is a pronoun. It is pretty neat how one word can have two different jobs depending on how you use it, you know, in a sentence.
Understanding how "these" works, from its role as a pointer to its use in storytelling, truly helps make our English communication clearer. It is a word that helps us connect with the things and people around us, whether we are simply describing something near or sharing a memory. To learn more about demonstrative words on our site, you can explore other helpful articles. Also, check out this page for more examples of everyday English usage.
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