These” and “those” with the verb “to be”
In this class you will learn how to use the verb to be in the third person plural: are , and we will also see the plural demonstrative pronouns, that is, these and those .
Note for the smart people: if you are thinking that you already know this, try to translate this phrase without thinking: That is a pen . Than? Have you doubted a single second? If yes, you don’t know it as well as you thought, so: study!
The theory
These ( / dziis / ) are used to refer to the objects (in the plural) that are within our reach, that is, close . And those ( / dzóus / ), for objects that are out of our reach, that is, far away . In English there are only two distances: near and far, so … much easier!
And then there are they, which is equivalent to them and is used when we do not care if things are near or far. But, use it! Remember that in English an affirmative phrase without a subject is not correct. Son bolis is not pens , that is not English!
As for the structure with are , it is very easy, see:
subject | + to be in the plural ( are ) | + … |
estos | are | I thought. |
Those | are | I thought. |
They | are | I thought. |
That said, the most natural thing is that we contract the verb with they , so They’re pens is much more common than They are pens . And be careful! The e of are never heard. We say / aaa / and when it contracts with the pronoun they , we say / dzée to / .
The practice
When speaking, we join the words these + are and say / dzíis to / . Read these sentences aloud with that in mind!
This is pants. | These are trousers. |
This is skirts | These are skirts. |
These are dresses. | These are dresses. |
To pronounce those are you have to learn it as if it were a new word: / dzóus a / . You got it? All right! Now say these phrases out loud:
Those are pots. | Those are pans. |
Those are glasses. | Those are glasses. |
Those are bowls. | Those are bowls. |
Come up with They . What can not be omitted from the phrase as in Spanish! They’re pronounced / dzéea / . Put out your tongue to pronounce th !
They are persons. | They’re people. |
They are children. | They’re children. |
They are babies. | They’re babies. |
Extra
Pronunciation key
To be able to distinguish well between esta (this / to this) and These (this, these) make sure that the sound of the i of esta is sufficiently short compared to the long sound of i in These . This / dzis / (short) and these / dziiiis / (long). Practice it!
Common mistake
When using demonstrative pronouns ( this, that, these, and those ), don’t accidentally enter another pronoun. For example, don’t say things like: These they’re pens or That it’s a car . It is a mistake that we have heard many times! Remember: in English there always has to be a subject, but only one!