these
Definition
- Determiner (plural form of "this"):
- Referring to specific people or things: "these" is used to indicate specific people, objects, or ideas that are physically or conceptually close to the speaker or writer, especially when there are two or more of them.
- Introducing or identifying: "these" is used to point out or introduce a specific group of items or persons that have just been mentioned or are about to be mentioned.
Usage Examples
- Determiner:
- These books are mine, not yours. (Indicating specific books that are near the speaker.)
- I need to finish these tasks before tomorrow. (Referring to particular tasks that are currently relevant.)
- These are the students who won the prize. (Identifying a specific group of people.)
Advanced Usage
"these days": referring to the present time, in contrast to the past.
- People rely heavily on technology these days. (In the current period.)
"these ones": a redundant but common phrase used to emphasize a specific set of items.
- I prefer these ones over those. (I choose this particular group.)
Variants and Related Words
This (singular determiner/pronoun): referring to a single person or thing close to the speaker.
- This is my favourite song. (One specific song.)
Those (plural determiner/pronoun): referring to people or things that are distant from the speaker.
- Those mountains are far away. (Mountains at a distance.)
Synonyms
- These ones: a synonym used for emphasis (though "ones" is often considered unnecessary).
- The present: in certain contexts, "these" can imply the current time or situation.
- These conditions are unacceptable. (The current conditions.)
Related Idioms
"These things happen": an expression used to accept an unfortunate situation as inevitable.
- We missed the bus, but these things happen. (Such events are normal and unavoidable.)
"These are the days": an expression used to highlight a memorable or significant period of time.
- These are the days we'll remember forever. (This is a special time.)