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those — meaning in English: those
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those
really
thus
participant
those
finally
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers use 'those' to refer to specific items or people that are not close at hand. For instance, you might hear someone say, 'I prefer those shoes over these,' when pointing at shoes displayed on a distant rack. In conversations, 'those' can also help emphasize choices or distinctions among items or groups.
Synonyms & nuances
'Those' is similar to 'them' in that both refer to plural nouns, but 'those' carries a demonstrative quality that specifies distance or distinction. You would choose 'those' when you want to highlight specific items or groups that are further away or previously mentioned.
Culture
'Those' originates from Old English 'thā', which is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate distance. Interestingly, the use of 'those' can also reflect social dynamics; for example, in certain contexts, pointing out 'those people' can imply a subtle distinction or even a sense of exclusion, reflecting cultural attitudes towards group identity.
FAQ
