Them vs. These or Those

demonstrative determiners demonstrative pronouns object pronouns them these those

Demonstratives

'These' and 'those' are called demonstratives. They are used to show the 'distance' or 'nearness' between us and the noun.
'These' is the plural form of 'this'. And the plural form of 'that' is 'those'.

Difference between 'These' and 'Those'

These is used to refer to a plural noun near to us (physically or temporally)

Those is used to refer to a plural noun far from us (physically or temporally)

'These' and 'those' can be both subjects and objects of our sentence.

Example

These are my kids.

Here, 'these' is the subject of our sentence.

I've made my decision. Let's buy these for her! She'll look great in these shoes.

Here, 'these' is the object of our sentence.

Those were the days we thought they'd never end.

Here, 'those' is the subject of our sentence.

Do you remember those?

Here, 'those' is the object of our sentence.

Can 'Them' Be Used as a Demonstrative Pronoun?

'Them' is an object pronoun. It is the accusative form of the pronoun 'they'. In formal standard English, 'them' cannot be used as a substitute for a demonstrative pronoun. But when 'these' and 'those' are used as an object pronoun, it is interchangeable in informal and colloquial language.

Example

Some of those can be considered appropriate for the occasion.

Some of them can be considered appropriate for the occasion.

'Them' cannot grammatically be used as a demonstrative pronoun. But it is often used in informal language.

Comments

(2)

Nethaniel Edwards

Dec 2024

I have a couple of examples that confuse me. Say I'm driving through the city and I say, "Look at these tall buildings." Wouldn't it also be correct to say "those tall buildings"? But if I was in a jewellery store looking at rings through a glass cabinet, I would say, "I like those rings", but they're much closer than the buildings were. Are 'these' and 'those' interchangeable? It's just that 'these' doesn't seem right in the jewellery store example. Many thanks.

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Langeek

Dec 2024

Use "these" for objects that feel close to you physically or mentally. Use "those" for objects that feel farther away or separated, like behind glass. For example: In a jewelry store, you’d say, "I like those rings" because the glass creates a sense of separation, even though the rings are physically close. For tall buildings, both "these buildings" and "those buildings" can work, depending on whether you perceive them as near or far. The choice often depends on your perception of closeness, not just the actual distance.

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Demonstratives
Difference between 'These' and 'Those'
Can 'Them' Be Used as a Demonstrative Pronoun?

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