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

DefinitionsSynonyms and Antonyms

Pronoun

• Definition 1: Referring to specific people or things previously mentionedidentifiedor understood from the contextespecially when they are more distant or distinct from the speaker.

• Synonyms: themthese (when referring to items at a distance)the aforementioned

• Antonyms: thisthat (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: suchthe ones

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this usageas 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 writeror to distinguish them from others.

• Synonyms: certainparticularspecific (when pointing out)the

• Antonyms: thisthat (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: suchthose kinds of

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this usage)

Examples of Use

Books: 

• "It was the best of timesit was the worst of timesit was the age of wisdomit was the age of foolishnessit was the epoch of beliefit was the epoch of incredulityit was the season of Lightit was the season of Darknessit was the spring of hopeit was the winter of despairwe had everything before uswe had nothing before uswe were all going direct to Heavenwe were all going direct the other way—in shortthe period was so far like the present periodthat some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being receivedfor good or for evilin the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles DickensA Tale of Two CitiesApril 1859) – While "those" isn't in this direct quotethe 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 workwith those who have embraced it reporting higher job satisfaction." (The New York Times)

Online Publications: 

• "For those interested in sustainable livingcomposting offers a simple yet effective way to reduce waste." (Treehugger.com)

Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): 

• "You can't handle the truth! Sonwe live in a world that has wallsand those walls have to be guarded by men with guns." (A Few Good MenDecember 1992)

Entertainment Platforms (Music Lyrics): 

• "And if I only couldI'd make a deal with GodAnd I'd get him to swap our placesBe running up that roadBe running up that hillBe 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

1. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

2. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. (Abraham Lincoln)

3. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. (Theodore RooseveltApril 1910)

4. For those to whom much is givenmuch is expected. (Often attributed to John F. Kennedy; Biblical ProverbLuke 12:48)

5. God helps those who help themselves. (Benjamin Franklin1736)

6. Blessed are those who mournfor they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4The Bible)

7. Let those who would be freefirst be just. (Samuel Johnson)

8. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana1905)

9. Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. (John F. Kennedy)

10. For those who would leadand for those who would followthe office is a grave responsibility. (Lord ActonApril 1887)

Etymology

The word "those" has a history that goes way back in the English languageultimately 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 demonstrativemeaning "these" or "those." It was the plural of "þæt" (that) and "þes" (this).

• Middle English Transition: Over timeas English evolvedthe 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 pluralsinfluencing 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. Sothe meaning of "those" – referring to multiple specific items or individualsparticularly those further away or previously mentioned – has been consistent throughout its historyeven as its spelling and pronunciation changed. You can trace its usage with this meaning back to the Old English periodbefore 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 cando; those who can'tteach: 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 followoften 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 Academya Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.