See Also:

these (iou)



these pronoun & adjective (in mod. usage also classed as a determiner). [ei:z]

A. demonstr. pronoun pl. Pl. of THIS; the things or people present, close at hand, indicated, already mentioned or understood; (in opposition to those) the first of two or more sets of things, esp. the nearer or more immediate or obvious, the ones actually at hand. OE.
Shakespeare Tempest These are devils. O, defend me! Pope Those call it Pleasure, and Contentment these. E. Bowen I think these are your gloves. M. Amis I've suffered some long moments..but none longer..than these.
b. demonstr. adjective.
Designating the things or people present, close at hand, indicated, already or about to be mentioned, or understood; the current; the well-known, the familiar; colloq. designating persons or things introduced into a narrative etc.; (in opposition to those) designating the first of two or more sets of things, esp. the nearer or more immediate or obvious, etc. Cf. THIS adjective. OE.
not in these TROUSERS. one of these days: see DAY noun. these days: see DAY noun. these her , these my , etc., arch. these of hers, mine, etc. these kind of , these sort of (with pl.): of this kind (or sort).
Oxford English Dictionary Do you think these scissors sharper than those you had yesterday? J. Rhys I thought all people were cruel but these three were kind. C. P. Snow One can't rush these things. Q They thought we were these hip dance producers.
With a (definite or indefinite) numeral in expressions of time referring to a period immediately past or immediately future. LME.
H. James She has been dead these twenty years.