A1 pronoun Neutral #96 most common

these

/ðiːz/

The plural form of 'this', used to identify specific people or things near the speaker in space or time. It can function as either a pronoun or a determiner to point out multiple items.

Examples

3 of 5
1

These are my favorite books on the shelf.

These are my favorite books on the shelf.

2

These results indicate a significant improvement in performance.

These results indicate a significant improvement in performance.

3

Do you want to see these?

Do you want to see these?

Word Family

Adjective
this
Related
this
💡

Memory Tip

Remember: 'These' has the letter 'e' like the word 'near' (if you stretch it!), and it is the plural friend of 'this'.

Quick Quiz

___ flowers in my hand smell wonderful.

Correct!

The correct answer is: these

Examples

1

These are my favorite books on the shelf.

everyday

These are my favorite books on the shelf.

2

These results indicate a significant improvement in performance.

formal

These results indicate a significant improvement in performance.

3

Do you want to see these?

informal

Do you want to see these?

4

These observations are consistent with previous experimental data.

academic

These observations are consistent with previous experimental data.

5

Please sign these contracts and return them to the office.

business

Please sign these contracts and return them to the office.

Word Family

Adjective
this
Related
this

Common Collocations

these days these days
all of these all of these
one of these one of these
some of these some of these
between these between these

Common Phrases

one of these days

one of these days

these things happen

these things happen

along these lines

along these lines

Often Confused With

these vs this

'This' is used for one thing (singular), while 'these' is used for two or more things (plural).

these vs those

'These' refers to things close to the speaker, while 'those' refers to things further away.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'these' when referring to plural objects or people that are physically close to you or mentioned recently in a conversation.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 'this' with plural nouns, such as saying 'this people' instead of 'these people'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember: 'These' has the letter 'e' like the word 'near' (if you stretch it!), and it is the plural friend of 'this'.

📖

Word Origin

From Old English 'thās', the plural of 'thes' (this).

Grammar Patterns

Used with plural nouns Functions as a demonstrative pronoun Functions as a demonstrative determiner

Quick Quiz

___ flowers in my hand smell wonderful.

Correct!

The correct answer is: these

Related Words

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substructation

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The process of building a foundation or the resulting underground supporting structure that holds up a building or theory. It refers to the physical or conceptual base upon which something else is constructed or developed.

intradurite

C1

A technical term in coal petrography referring to a microlithotype of coal that consists of at least 95% durite. It is primarily used by geologists to classify the microscopic structure and purity of coal samples during analysis.

monohydral

C1

To subject a chemical compound or material to a single, controlled hydration process to achieve a specific moisture balance. It is primarily used in laboratory settings to describe the act of adding exactly one molecular unit of water to a substance.

antidentile

C1

Pertaining to a prejudice, hostility, or deep-seated aversion toward dentists and the dental profession. It describes attitudes ranging from irrational fear to active social bias against those who practice oral medicine.

circumgeocide

C1

The systematic and total destruction of the environment and life forms surrounding a specific geographic region or point. It typically refers to the annihilation of a local ecosystem's peripheral areas due to human activity or warfare.

misnovence

C1

The state or act of misinterpreting a new or novel situation by applying outdated frameworks or incorrect assumptions. It describes a failure to recognize the unique properties of a fresh experience, leading to cognitive or practical errors.

adgravness

C1

Describing a situation or condition that is marked by an increasing sense of weight, seriousness, or burdensome complexity. It is often used to characterize circumstances that become progressively harder to endure due to their growing gravity.

foresimiltude

C1

Describing something that has the appearance of being true or real, particularly in the context of artistic works or narratives. It characterizes details or storylines that feel convincing and authentic to an audience, even when they are fictional.

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