English as a language can be quite complicated for little ones if they aren’t introduced to concepts gradually. When it comes to speaking and writing, there are certain grammar rules that are always followed, and it’s important for them to know about these and even understand how to implement them in day-to-day life.
One common grammar topic for primary students is the use of demonstrative pronouns like ‘these’ or ‘those’. Now, to understand the difference, it is important to know what both these words mean individually and what are some common examples so that they can use them in sentences and see how they flow better.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
This article is going to teach your little one all of that so that it gets easy to understand such words and use them correctly. Let’s jump straight in, shall we?
Meaning Of ‘These’
The word ‘These’ is the plural form of the word ‘This’. It’s basically a determiner or a pronoun that is used to point to a specific group of things or even a specific group of people.
Examples Of The Word ‘These’
Let us look at some examples of sentences that use the word ‘these’:
- These are his favourite toys!
- No one can answer these questions.
- These are the steps you need to climb to reach the top of the mountain.
- These are friends who will help every step of the way.
- I think you should buy that dress, it looks pretty.
- Are these the people who will take over once you leave?
Uses Of The Word ‘These’
The word ‘these’ can be used in the following ways –
1. Things that are close at hand
One way to commonly use this is to be able to use this to point at things or people that are near us.
For example: If someone has come to visit home, you can introduce a bunch of things like, “These are my dogs, Milo and Luna.”
2. Things mentioned in the past
This word is also used to describe things that have happened in the past.
For example: These are the things that I ate when I visited Turkey.
3. Introducing things that are said and will be said
When you’re talking about things that you will talk about or are talking about, you can also use this word.
For example: These are my favourite chocolate brands.
4. Used as common expressions
One other way of using the word ‘these’ is when you use them in a common expression – like – these days. Here’s using this in a sentence – These days, I am very caught up with work!
Meaning Of ‘Those’
The word ‘Those’ is the plural form of the word ‘That’. It’s basically a determiner or a pronoun that is used to point to a specific group of things, specific places or even a specific group of people.
Examples Of The Word ‘Those’
Let us look at some examples of sentences that use the word ‘those’:
- It is one of those things that one doesn’t talk about.
- Those birds are very colourful.
- Do you like eating those apples?
- Those are a few things you should know about me.
- Those hills look beautiful in the winters!
- Make a note of all those topics, they are likely questions during exam time!
Uses Of The Word ‘Those’
Let us now look at some of the uses of this word –
1. Replacing nouns that are far away
This word is used to replace all the nouns that are far away in space and time.
For example: Thanks for all the chocolate you gave me last week.
2. Referring to something further away than another object near the speaker
Here’s an example for this – I like those better than these.
3. Referring to something that is physically far away
Here’s an example of this – Those mountains in the distance look so wonderful.
Difference Between ‘These’ And ‘Those’
Let us now look at the difference between both these words and their usage –
1. In terms of Form: These is the plural of the word ‘this’, and those is a plural of the word ‘that’.
2. In terms of Distance: The word ‘these’ is used to describe objects, places and people that are nearer to the speaker, ‘those’ is used to describe objects, places and people that are far away from the speaker.
3. In terms of Comparison: ‘These’ refers to what is nearest, while talking about things that are closer to the speaker, while ‘those’ refers to the more distant of the items when talking about things closer to the speaker.
4. In terms of Specificity: ‘These’ can be used to refer to a specific thing that was just mentioned, and ‘those’ can be used to talk about a specific thing that was previously mentioned.
5. In terms of Introducing: ‘These’ is used to introduce people and ‘those’ is not used for the same.
Understanding the difference between these and those will help your child communicate better and will improve their confidence in speaking and writing in English. We hope this article helps you teach your child effectively. Remember, reading and writing are the best ways to practise and revise your English grammar lessons.
Also Read:
Singular and Plural Nouns for Kids
How to Teach Children About The Place Value System
Pronouns for Kids to Improve Vocabulary
