These is the plural form of this. These can be the subject or the object of a sentence. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.

1. 'These' as a Demonstrative Determiner

Use

These as a demonstrative determiner is used to identify a noun or a noun phrase. It is mainly used to show near things or people. To learn more functions of these, have a look:

These is used to show people or things that are close to the speaker, such as:

Example

These apples are really delicious.

The speaker is probably pointing at 'apples.'

I love these kids.

'These kids' is an object.

These is used to show people or things that have already been mentioned, such as:

Example

Loose-fitting clothes are trend nowadays. These styles are really popular.

'These styles' reflects back to 'loose-fitting clothes.'

These is used to introduce people or things that you are going to talk about, like:

Example

These kids are their children.

These brothers are my kids.

These is used to introduce people or things into a story, for example:

Example

These princesses are the most beautiful girls in our country.

This sentence is in a story.

These is used to show things or people that are familiar to everyone. For example:

Example

These rules help make a better society.

The speaker and the interlocutor both know 'which rules' they are talking about.

These in a combination of 'these days' has a similar meaning to 'now' or 'nowadays.' For example:

Example

People prefer to eat fast food these days.

Position in a Sentence

These as a demonstrative determiner comes before a noun or a noun phrase. For example:

Example

I love these kids.

'Kids' is a noun.

These beautiful princesses are the most beautiful girls in our country.

2. 'These' as a Demonstrative Pronoun

Use

These as a demonstrative pronoun is used to point at near people or things. It has more functions. To learn them, take a look: Here are its uses:

These is used to refer to people or things that are near to you, for example:

Example

These are her cars.

The speaker is probably pointing at 'cars.'

These is used to refer to people or things that have already been mentioned or identified, like:

Example

These are the new books that I bought last week.

These is used to introduce people or things that you are going to talk about, such as:

Example

These are some stories about love and friendship.

These are my brothers.

Position in a Sentence

These as a demonstrative pronoun replaces the subject or the object of the sentence. It mainly comes with the 'to be' verb. For example:

Example

These are the new books that I bought last week.

'These' is the subject followed by the 'to be' verb.

These might be yours.

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