These/Those

Question

I've always had a problem with the usage of These and Those in general conversation or writing. I understand that these is plural when its in front of you and those its plural when when its not at reach, but the problem that i have is that sometimes its not alway about reach and i want to know which one to use.

(Let's say that i'm having a conversation with a friend and we talk about what happenned some days before.)

Example 1: Hey Frank you remember those/these girls we met last night? Did they call you ?

Example 2: Hey Mike i was talking to these/those girls the other day and they told me something funny about you.

(Let's say that me and my girlfriend went to see a movie the other day and we're talking about it now.)

Example 1: I think the problem with these/those actors Isabelle is that they never play in the right movie.

Example 2: I really enjoy these/those type of movies, i think they're the best ones.

Xillius · Accepted Answer

This becomes these = near you
That becomes those = away from you

(1) Hey Frank, you remember these girls we met last night?
This implies the girls are near you / with (standing or a photo)
(1) hey Frank, you remember those girls we met last night?
This implies the girls are not near you. They could be near Frank or they could be near neither of you.

2 is the same as 1.

(3) I think the problem with these actors is that they never play in the right movie.
This implies you are talking about the actors that you are watching. Since you are together they are near both of you (in the movie you're watching) so "these" works.
(3) I think the problem with those actors is that they never play in the right movie.
This implies that the actors are not near you (they're on the screen) and therefore "those" is the correct word.
They both work. There are other times where it is not that simple but for your example they are the same.

4 is the same as 3.

I hope that helped.

These/Those

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