Q&A for How to Use These and Those

Use the 'this/that' when you refer to shoes or jeans as a 'pair;' but you should use 'these/those' when you just say 'shoes' or 'jeans.' The word 'pair' is treated as singular and 'shoes' or 'jeans' as plural.

News is considered a singular entity. "This is the news."

They are both grammatically correct, but the first one is more natural and more likely to be used.

Either could work, but "those" might be a clearer reference.

Yes.

Either word could work, but because s/he is currently a teacher, "these" might be more appropriate.

Probably "these." It depends on your meaning.

If "a few sentences" separate the two references, "these" would probably make more sense. However, there isn't necessarily a right answer to this question as it would depend on the exact context, what had been mentioned between the two statements about the politicians, etc.

The usual expression is, "Those were the days." It means, "That was a good time."

Say "this" if you're referring to the picture. Say "these" if you're referring to more than one item, such as pencils in the picture.

Yes. As the above article points out, "those" is the plural form of "that." Just as you might say, "That is a star," you could say "Those are stars." If that seems awkward, you might say, "They are stars" instead.

The number of items is irrelevant. It's the proximity of the items that matters. If they are very near you, say "these." Otherwise, say "those."

Both of these sentences are correct.

As explained above, use "this" and "these" when referring to something that is physically or figuratively nearby in space or time. Use "that" or "those" when referring to something that is physically or figuratively distant.

"These (or those) are..." is correct. The reason is sounds odd is that so many people say it otherwise.

"...things the way they were taught."

Either way would work. "These" would indicate a more personal connection to the elapsed time than "those" would.

While "these" is not incorrect, "they" is appropriate and more commonly used in that context.

Yes, "those" would be appropriate.

This is better: "Are these toys yours?" Jerald asked his brother while pointing at the toys in front of him.

For the sake of continuity, stick with "those," or you could refer to "they" or "them."

"Those animals." "They" would be confusing, as it could be seen as referring to the cells.

Yes, when referring to things nearby.

You can say "these trousers." For example, "These trousers fit me nicely!" If it ends in "s" then it is usually correct to say "these" rather than "this."

"They" is a pronoun, the plural of "he," "she" or "it." "Those" can be a pronoun or an adjective and is the plural of "that."

It could be either: "these" if the span of time is continuing in the present; "those" if the span has ended.

Yes, they're both OK. "They are" is more commonly used, but "these are" is also correct.

"... These include newspapers..."

In such a case, "these" and "those" would reflect the referents' place in the sentence or paragraph. If the referents (whatever "these" or "those are referring to) are named just a moment earlier, refer to them as "these." If they are named sometime earlier, use "those."

You can use the word "them" for multiple inanimate objects. When referring to a single inanimate object, use "it".