This Is For Those Who Know - The Language Of Pointing

11 Jul, 2025

Sometimes, the simplest words hold a surprising amount of weight in how we talk with each other. We use them every day, almost without thinking, to make sure everyone is on the same page about what we're talking about. It's really about getting our message across clearly, whether we're chatting about something right here or something a little further away, or even something from another time.

You know, there are these little verbal pointers we throw into our speech that do a lot of heavy lifting. They help us zero in on specific items, whether they're right in front of us or a bit out of reach. It's a way of making sure our listeners picture the same thing we're picturing, which, you know, makes conversations flow a lot smoother. This kind of verbal pointing helps us communicate what we mean without needing a whole lot of extra words.

So, when we pick up on the subtle differences in how we use these particular words, it really helps us speak with more precision. It's about recognizing the quiet power in words that help us indicate people or things, making our spoken thoughts more precise and easy for others to pick up on. It’s almost like a secret handshake for clear talk, if you get what I mean.

What Are These Pointing Words, Anyway?
Getting a Grip on 'This' and 'That' - this is for those who know
When Do We Use 'These' and 'Those'?
The Special Case of 'Those' - A Bit More to It Than You Think - this is for those who know
How Do They Work in a Sentence - Determiners and Pronouns?
‘Them’ Versus ‘These’ and ‘Those’ - What is the Difference? - this is for those who know
Why Does It Matter How We Point with Words?
Examples in Action - this is for those who know

What Are These Pointing Words, Anyway?

Well, to start, there are a few special words we use that are like little verbal arrows. They help us point to people or things when we're talking. Think of "this," "that," "these," and "those." They’re what we call 'demonstratives,' and honestly, they do a lot of work in our everyday conversations. You know, they help us make sure we're all looking at the same item or person when we're having a chat. It’s pretty neat how they work, actually, helping us get our thoughts across without a lot of fuss.

These words are pretty useful for indicating something specific, whether it's something close by or something a little further away. So, if you're holding a cup, you might say "this cup." But if it's on the other side of the room, you'd probably say "that cup." It’s a simple way, really, to show distance in our speech, and it helps everyone keep track of what’s being discussed. We use them constantly, almost without realizing it, which is just how natural they feel.

They’re not just about physical distance, either. Sometimes, these words help us point to ideas or things that have been mentioned before, or things that we just assume everyone already knows about. It’s a subtle way of referring back to something without having to repeat ourselves. In a way, they act like shorthand, making our conversations more efficient and less repetitive. It’s pretty cool, when you think about it, how much these little words contribute.

Getting a Grip on 'This' and 'That' - this is for those who know

When we talk about just one item or one person, we typically reach for "this" or "that." "This" is for something close to us, something we might even be holding or looking at right now. So, if you're holding a book, you'd say, "I'm reading this book." It's a way of saying, "the book right here." It really helps to make your meaning clear, doesn't it? We use "this" for things that are, you know, right within our immediate reach or attention.

On the flip side, "that" is what we use for a single item or person that is a bit further away. Maybe it's across the room, or even just out of arm's reach. For instance, if you see a bird on a distant branch, you might point and say, "Look at that bird!" It helps to differentiate between what’s near and what’s not so near, which is pretty handy. It gives a sense of separation, a little bit of distance, you know, between the speaker and the thing being talked about.

So, the key difference between "this" and "that" really boils down to how close something is to the person speaking. One is for what's right here, in your personal space, and the other is for what's over there, a little bit removed. It’s a simple distinction, but it makes a big impact on how precisely we can communicate our thoughts. It's almost like having two different lenses for our words, one for close-up and one for things further away.

When Do We Use 'These' and 'Those'?

Now, when we're talking about more than one item or person, we switch from "this" and "that" to "these" and "those." It’s pretty straightforward, actually, once you get the hang of it. "These" is for multiple items or people that are close to you. So, if you have a bunch of apples in your hand, you'd naturally say, "I picked these apples from the tree." It helps to show that there's more than one, and they're right here with you, which is pretty useful.

And then there's "those." "Those" is what we use for multiple items or people that are further away. Imagine a group of children playing across the park; you might say, "Those children are having a good time." It's the plural form of "that," so it carries that same sense of distance, just for more than one thing. It really helps to keep our descriptions accurate, you know, whether we're talking about one thing or many, close or far.

So, basically, "these" and "those" follow the same near-or-far idea as "this" and "that," but they're for when you're referring to a collection of things. It's about keeping our language precise, making sure we're indicating the right number of items and their general placement. It's a simple change in word, but it carries a lot of meaning in how we point things out. It's kind of like saying, "look at this group here" versus "look at that group over there," just with fewer words.

The Special Case of 'Those' - A Bit More to It Than You Think - this is for those who know

While "those" is definitely the plural form of "that," meaning it points to multiple things at a distance, it has a bit more depth to its use. You see, we often use "those" not just for physical distance, but also for things separated by time or even just a general idea. So, you might say, "Those were the days!" referring to a time long past, which is pretty cool, honestly. It shows it's not just about what you can physically point to right now.

It can also refer to people or things that have been mentioned earlier in a conversation, or things that are just generally understood without needing a specific pointer. For example, if you've been talking about certain kinds of cars, you might later say, "Those cars are really popular." You're not pointing to actual cars at that moment, but referring to the group you've already discussed. It’s a way of keeping the conversation connected, you know, without being overly repetitive.

Sometimes, "those" even gets used for emphasis, or to highlight a particular group within a larger context. Think about saying, "It isn't one of those things you can talk through," suggesting a specific type of problem that defies simple conversation. It gives a sense of a particular category, almost like saying, "the kind of thing that falls into that group." It’s a pretty versatile word, actually, going beyond just simple pointing.

How Do They Work in a Sentence - Determiners and Pronouns?

These words – "this," "that," "these," and "those" – can play a couple of different roles in a sentence. Sometimes, they act as 'determiners.' When they're determiners, they come right before a noun, telling you which specific noun we're talking about. So, if you say, "This book is interesting," "this" is telling you exactly which book. It's kind of like an adjective, but its main job is to specify, you know, which one or which ones.

Other times, these words act as 'pronouns.' When they're pronouns, they stand in for a noun that's already been mentioned or is clearly understood from the situation. For instance, if someone asks, "Which one do you want?" you might just say, "I'll take that." Here, "that" is replacing the noun, like "that apple" or "that shirt." It helps to avoid repeating the noun, which is pretty efficient. It's a way of keeping our sentences from getting too clunky, you know.

So, whether they're pointing out a specific noun or standing in for one, their core job remains the same: to indicate. They help us narrow down the focus, making it clear what we're referring to. It’s a pretty fundamental part of how we put sentences together, actually, helping to create a sense of shared understanding about the topic at hand. They're very flexible, which makes them super useful in daily talk.

‘Them’ Versus ‘These’ and ‘Those’ - What is the Difference? - this is for those who know

This is where things can get a little bit tricky for some people, but it’s actually pretty simple once you get it. "Them" is an 'object pronoun.' This means it always comes after a verb or a preposition, acting as the receiver of the action. So, you'd say, "I saw them," or "I talked to them." You can't just put "them" before a noun like "them books." That's the main rule to remember, you know, where it sits in the sentence.

On the other hand, "these" and "those" are 'demonstrative pronouns,' as we've talked about. They can be used after a verb, just like "them," but they also have the ability to come before nouns. So, you can say, "I like these" (where "these" stands alone as a pronoun) or "I like these shoes" (where "these" acts as a determiner before the noun "shoes"). This flexibility is a key difference, actually, giving them more ways to be used.

The biggest thing to remember is that "them" is always about the object of a verb or preposition, while "these" and "those" are about pointing out specific things, whether they're standing alone or describing a noun. So, you would never say "them books" when you mean "those books." It's a common mix-up, but once you understand the different roles they play, it becomes pretty clear. It's a subtle but important distinction for clear communication, you know, for those who really want to get it right.

Why Does It Matter How We Point with Words?

You might wonder why all this attention to "this," "that," "these," and "those" matters so much. Well, it's really about clarity. When you use these words correctly, you make it so much easier for the person you're talking to to follow along and understand exactly what you're referring to. Imagine trying to explain something without being able to point with your words; it would be a bit of a mess, honestly. It helps to avoid confusion, which is pretty important in any chat.

It also helps with the flow of conversation. When you're precise with your language, people don't have to stop and ask, "Which one do you mean?" or "Are you talking about one thing or many?" This keeps the discussion moving along smoothly, which is what we all want, right? It shows you're communicating with care, making sure your message is received just as you intend it. It’s a sign of good communication habits, you know, to be so precise.

In a way, using these words well is a sign of effective communication. It shows you're paying attention to your listener's perspective and making an effort to be as clear as possible. It's about building a shared picture in your listener's mind, so they can see what you see, or at least get a good sense of it. So, it's not just about grammar rules; it's really about connecting with people through language, which is pretty powerful.

Examples in Action - this is for those who know

Let's look at some everyday situations where these words really come into play. Imagine you're at a shop, pointing to a single item on a shelf right in front of you. You might say, "I'd like this one, please." You know, it's right there, easy to see. But if the item is further down the aisle, you'd probably say, "Could you get me that one?" It's a simple shift, but it makes all the difference in pointing out the right thing.

Now, think about plural items. If you're holding a bunch of flowers you just picked, you'd say, "These flowers smell lovely." But if you're looking at a field of flowers in the distance, you'd say, "Those flowers are beautiful." See how the number and distance change the word you pick? It’s pretty intuitive, actually, once you start noticing it. It just helps you be really clear about what you're talking about.

And for the "them" versus "these/those" distinction, consider this: You're talking about some movies you saw. You might say, "Those films are being made now," using "those" to refer to specific films. But if someone asks who made them, you'd say, "I don't know who made them." Here, "them" is the object of "made." Or, if you're talking about your pets, you might say, "Besides, those are my animals," referring to specific animals. But you wouldn't say "them are my animals." It's about understanding the role each word plays in the sentence, which, you know, makes a lot of sense.

Even in more abstract ways, these words help. "It isn't one of those things you can talk through, I guess," suggests a category of problems that are hard to solve with just words. Or, "For the most part, the facial expressions of those sitting around the table..." points to a specific group of people, the ones at the table. These examples really show how versatile and important these little words are in helping us communicate exactly what we mean, for those who really pay attention to the details of language.

This piece explored how we use words like "this," "that," "these," and "those" to indicate things near and far, singular and plural. It also covered how "them" fits into this picture, especially when differentiating it from demonstratives, and how all these words function as determiners or pronouns to make our communication clearer.

This That These Those Exercícios - REVOEDUCA

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Demonstrative Pronouns This That These Those English - vrogue.co

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