those

USAGE SUMMARY

"those" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a pronoun that is used to refer to people or things that have already been referred to, as in "I saw those apples in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance".

The Guardian

"All the people who form those relations to me make up my community and you assaulted every single one of them".

The Guardian

We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families.

The Guardian

There are good reasons to be supporting bingo, there are good reasons to be encouraging our pub sector to be stronger - that's the analysis behind those measures".

The Guardian

We will want to determine that those responsible for operating this ride have done what the law requires.

The Guardian

"Every day, mosques and other faith institutions across the country are providing help for those in need, and acting as a centre for our communities.

The Guardian

"This is unacceptable and distressing to those who lost friends and family.

The Guardian

We may, we may not, decide that it's relevant to put something out there about some of those changes.

The Guardian

"History often vindicates those involved in such acts.

The Guardian

"Those who oppose this sort of action need to think about what they are condoning".

The New York Times

But simply canceling those deficit-reduction measures would risk a financial crisis that would make matters worse, the report said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "those" to clearly refer to specific people or things already mentioned to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The cars are fast", specify "Those cars are fast" if you're referring to cars previously discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "those" when you mean "these". "Those" refers to items that are further away in space or time, while "these" refers to items that are near. Saying "These problems are common" is correct if the problems are happening right now, but "Those problems are common" implies the problems happened in the past or elsewhere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "those" is to act as a determiner specifying plural nouns or as a pronoun referring to previously mentioned items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English term used to indicate specific items or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sport

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Opinion

3%

Music

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those" functions as both a determiner and a pronoun, crucial for specifying items or people previously mentioned. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used term. Usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. When writing, ensure "those" accurately refers to distant items or concepts, differentiating it from "these", which refers to nearby ones. By understanding its role and context, you can effectively use "those" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned

Formally refers back to items previously specified in a document or speech.

aforementioned individuals

A more formal way to refer back to people previously mentioned.

the specified

Refers to items explicitly named or detailed before.

the indicated

Points to items or people already singled out or made clear.

the items

Specifically addresses objects or things already under consideration.

the objects

Focuses on tangible items that have already been discussed.

the individuals

Emphasizes people within a group being discussed.

selected items

Implies a choice or filtering process applied to the items being referred to.

certain ones

Highlights specific items or persons from a larger set without naming them all.

the entities

Broadly refers to things, people, or organizations previously mentioned.

FAQs

How do I use "those" in a sentence?

"Those" can be used as a determiner before a noun (e.g., "Those books are mine.") or as a pronoun referring to previously mentioned items or people (e.g., "I prefer those over these.").

What's the difference between "those" and "these"?

"Those" refers to items or people that are further away in distance or time, while "these" refers to items or people that are nearby. For example, "These apples here are fresh, but "those apples" on the table are not.

Can I use "those" to refer to abstract concepts?

Yes, "those" can refer to abstract concepts previously discussed. For example, "We discussed several theories, and I found "those theories" to be quite compelling."

When should I use "those" versus "them"?

Use "those" when you want to emphasize the specific items or people being referred to, often followed by a clarifying phrase or clause. Use "them" as a simple pronoun when the reference is already clear. For example, "I like "those flowers" that are red, not the yellow ones" versus "I like them."