determiner A1 Beginner Very common

those

THOHZ

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Those (determiner) means used before a plural noun to point to people or things that are further away or have already been mentioned, as the plural of that. Example: “Those trees over there are oak.”

determiner

Used before a plural noun to point to people or things that are further away or have already been mentioned, as the plural of that.

"Those trees over there are oak."

"I remember those days well."

"Can you pass me those scissors?"

pronoun

Used on its own to refer to plural people or things that are further away or have already been mentioned, as the plural of that.

"Those are the keys I lost."

"Those are not mine."

"I liked those better than these."

How to use those

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThose is just that, but for more than one thing that is further off or already talked about.

When to use it

Those is a basic, everyday word used equally in speech and writing.

Memory tip

Use those for plural things that are distant or already mentioned, and that for a single one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

these → that →

Common pairings

those days those kinds of things one of those days those people

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “those” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ trees over there are oak.

Etymology

Those developed in Middle English from thos, an altered form of tho, an old word for the or those. The final s was added partly by analogy with thes, the ancestor of these.

Origin: Middle English

Antonyms

these

Related words

this these

Rhymes for those

rose nose lose dose pose Jose hose Bose close moose whose goose

See all rhymes for those →

Frequently asked questions

What does those mean?

Those is the plural form of that, used to point to people or things further away or already mentioned.

What is the plural of that?

The plural of that is those.

What is the difference between these and those?

These points to things close to the speaker, while those points to things further away or already referred to.

What is the meaning of those?

"those" (determiner) means used before a plural noun to point to people or things that are further away or have already been mentioned, as the plural of that.

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