those are

USAGE SUMMARY

"those are" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it as a stand-alone phrase to introduce a list of items, or as part of a larger sentence. For example: "Those are the top ten songs from the album."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Those are very visible.

The New York Times

Those are real headaches.

The New York Times

"Those are tough plays.

The New York Times - Sports

"Those are my Yankees.

The New York Times

Those are reasonable complaints.

The New Yorker

Those are the instruments".

The New York Times

"Those are our constituents".

The New Yorker

Those are our voices".

The New York Times

Those are undeniably important.

The New York Times

Yes, those are ribs.

The New York Times

"Those are my comments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "those are" to clearly identify and introduce specific items or concepts within a discussion. For example, "Those are the key points we need to address."

Common error

Avoid using "those is" instead of "those are" when referring to multiple items. Remember that "those" is plural, requiring the plural verb form "are".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "those are" is to serve as a demonstrative phrase, identifying specific entities previously mentioned or immediately present. Ludwig confirms that this phrase introduces a list or provides further clarification about the referred items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those are" is a versatile and commonly used demonstrative phrase that serves to identify or describe multiple items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and appropriateness in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While simple, mastering its usage ensures clear communication. Alternatives like "these are" or "they are" can be used depending on context, but it's essential to maintain subject-verb agreement and avoid common errors such as using "those is". By following these guidelines, you can confidently use "those are" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these are

Changes the demonstrative pronoun from "those" to "these", implying closer proximity or relevance.

they are

Uses a pronoun instead of a demonstrative adjective, changing the emphasis slightly.

that is

Shifts from plural "those" to singular "that", requiring the following context to be singular as well.

they are indeed

Adds emphasis with "indeed", confirming the nature of what "they" are.

such are

Replaces "those" with "such", indicating a specific type or quality.

these happen to be

Adds "happen to be" to soften the statement and suggest chance or coincidence.

those happen to be

Adds "happen to be" to soften the statement and suggest chance or coincidence.

that happens to be

Adds "happen to be" to soften the statement and suggest chance or coincidence.

they turn out to be

Emphasizes the outcome or discovery of what "they" are.

it turns out to be

Emphasizes the outcome or discovery of what "it" is.

FAQs

How can I use "those are" in a sentence?

"Those are" is used to identify or describe multiple items. For example, "Those are the books I borrowed from the library."

What can I say instead of "those are"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "these are", "they are", or "that is" if referring to a single item.

Which is correct, "those are" or "those is"?

"Those are" is the correct form because "those" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural verb "are". "Those is" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "those are" formal or informal?

"Those are" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality often depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.