those
those
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "those" is /ðoʊz/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
Those:
/ð/ - voiced dental fricative (th as in "this")
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "boat")
/z/ - voiced alveolar fricative (as in "zoo")
Word Form Variations
"Those" is the plural form of the demonstrative pronoun and demonstrative adjective "that."
Singular: that
Plural: those
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Pronoun
Definition 1: Referring to specific people or things previously mentioned, identified, or understood from the context, especially when they are more distant or distinct from the speaker.
Synonyms: them, these (when referring to items at a distance), the aforementioned
Antonyms: this, that (when referring to a singular item close by)
Definition 2: Used to introduce a clause that further specifies or describes a group of people or things.
Synonyms: such, the ones
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this usage, as it's a structural element)
Determiner (Demonstrative Adjective)
Definition 1: Used before a plural noun to point out specific people or things that are relatively distant from the speaker or writer, or to distinguish them from others.
Synonyms: certain, particular, specific (when pointing out), the
Antonyms: this, that (when referring to a singular item close by)
Definition 2: Emphasizing the quality or nature of a particular group of items or individuals being discussed.
Synonyms: such, those kinds of
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this usage)
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, April 1859) – While "those" isn't in this direct quote, the full passage often uses "those" to refer back to the described conditions or people of the time.
Newspapers:
"The recent report highlighted the increasing popularity of remote work, with those who have embraced it reporting higher job satisfaction." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"For those interested in sustainable living, composting offers a simple yet effective way to reduce waste." (Treehugger.com)
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV):
"You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns." (A Few Good Men, December 1992)
Entertainment Platforms (Music Lyrics):
"And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, And I'd get him to swap our places, Be running up that road, Be running up that hill, Be running up those stairs." (Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)," August 1985)
General Public Discourse:
"I really enjoyed visiting the new art exhibit; those sculptures were incredibly detailed." (Heard in conversation)
General Public Discourse:
"The government needs to address the concerns of those affected by the rising cost of living." (Statement by a community activist)
10 Quotes Using Those
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. (Abraham Lincoln)
So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. (Theodore Roosevelt, April 1910)
For those to whom much is given, much is expected. (Often attributed to John F. Kennedy; Biblical Proverb, Luke 12:48)
God helps those who help themselves. (Benjamin Franklin, 1736)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, The Bible)
Let those who would be free, first be just. (Samuel Johnson)
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana, 1905)
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. (John F. Kennedy)
For those who would lead, and for those who would follow, the office is a grave responsibility. (Lord Acton, April 1887)
Etymology
The word "those" has a history that goes way back in the English language, ultimately stemming from very old Germanic roots.
In simple terms, "those" is the modern plural form of "that."
Here's a breakdown:
Old English Roots: The word comes from Old English words like "þās" (pronounced somewhat like "thahs"), which was already used as a plural demonstrative, meaning "these" or "those." It was the plural of "þæt" (that) and "þes" (this).
Middle English Transition: Over time, as English evolved, the forms changed. In Middle English, "þās" morphed into forms like "thos," "tho," and eventually "those." The "s" at the end became a common way to mark plurals, influencing this word as well. The spelling with "se" at the end is a later development.
First Known Use and Meaning: The concept of using a word to point to multiple things or people that are relatively distant or distinct has been present in English since its earliest forms. So, the meaning of "those" – referring to multiple specific items or individuals, particularly those further away or previously mentioned – has been consistent throughout its history, even as its spelling and pronunciation changed. You can trace its usage with this meaning back to the Old English period, before the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Those
Here is a list of phrases and idioms using the word "those":
Those were the days: Used to express nostalgia for a happier or simpler past time.
Those in charge: Refers to the people who hold authority or responsibility.
Those who can, do; those who can't, teach: A somewhat cynical proverb about skills and professions.
Those sorts of things: A general reference to a category or type of items or situations.
Those of us who...: Used to group oneself with others who share a particular characteristic or experience.
Those of you who...: Used to address a specific subset of people in an audience or group.
Those are the breaks: An idiom meaning that's just how unfortunate or difficult things sometimes turn out; it's unavoidable.
Those are famous last words: Said when someone makes an overly confident statement that is likely to be proven wrong.
Those were big shoes to fill: An idiom indicating that someone had a difficult act to follow, often due to a predecessor's great success.
Among those present: Referring to a specific group of people who were in attendance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of those from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
