Have you ever seen the word “these” in a text message, social media post, or conversation and wondered exactly what it means?
While “these” is one of the most common words in English, many learners and even native speakers sometimes get confused about when to use it correctly. Searches for “these meaning,” “what does these mean,” and “these in text meaning” are surprisingly common because the word appears everywhere—from everyday conversations to social media captions.
In simple terms, “these” is a plural demonstrative pronoun and determiner used to refer to two or more people, objects, ideas, or things that are nearby or being discussed.
This guide explains the meaning of “these,” how it’s used in real conversations, examples, common mistakes, and related grammar terms.Updated for 2026.
What Does “These” Mean in Text or Chat?
Quick Definition
“These” means “the ones here” or “the specific things being referred to” when talking about more than one person, object, or idea.
It is the plural form of “this.”
Examples:
- This book → These books
- This shoe → These shoes
- This idea → These ideas
Featured Snippet Answer
“These” is a plural word used to refer to two or more people, objects, or ideas that are nearby or already known in the conversation.
Is “These” Slang?
No.
Unlike internet abbreviations such as:
- LOL
- SMH
- TBH
- IMO
“These” is not slang. It is a standard English grammar word that has been used for centuries.
Understanding the Meaning of “These”
The word “these” helps identify specific things.
Think of it as pointing at multiple items.
For example:
- These cookies are delicious.
- These shoes look expensive.
- These pictures remind me of childhood.
In every example, “these” refers to more than one specific thing.
Singular vs. Plural
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| This book | These books |
| This car | These cars |
| This idea | These ideas |
| This phone | These phones |
A simple rule:
- Use this for one thing.
- Use these for two or more things.
How “These” Is Used in Real Conversations
Everyday Conversations
People use “these” constantly in daily life.
Examples:
- “These cookies taste amazing.”
- “I bought these yesterday.”
- “These are my friends.”
Text Messaging
In text messages, “these” usually refers to photos, items, ideas, or events.
Example:
Sarah: Did you see the pictures?
Emma: Yes, these are beautiful.
Meaning:
Emma is referring to multiple pictures.
Social Media
On Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, users often write:
- “These memories will last forever.”
- “These outfits are everything.”
- “Can’t stop thinking about these moments.”
In these examples, the word highlights specific things being shared.
Workplace Communication
Examples:
- “Please review these documents.”
- “These reports need updating.”
- “These recommendations look promising.”
Academic Writing
Students often use “these” when referring to evidence or concepts.
Example:
“These findings support the original hypothesis.”
Real Text Message Examples of “These”
Example 1: Talking About Photos
Alex: I finally uploaded the vacation pictures.
Jordan: These look incredible!
Meaning: Jordan is referring to multiple photos.
Example 2: Shopping
Maria: Which shoes should I buy?
Chris: These are my favorite.
Meaning: Chris is pointing out several shoes.
Example 3: Food
Dad: I baked some cookies.
Daughter: These are delicious.
Meaning: She likes the cookies.
Example 4: Study Notes
Student 1: Can you send me the notes?
Student 2: Sure, these should help.
Meaning: Referring to multiple notes or documents.
Example 5: Social Media Post
Caption:
“These moments make life worth living.”
Meaning: Refers to several memorable experiences.
When to Use “These”
Use “these” when:
1. Referring to Multiple Objects Nearby
Example:
“These apples are fresh.”
2. Talking About Multiple People
Example:
“These students worked hard.”
3. Referring to Multiple Ideas
Example:
“These suggestions are useful.”
4. Mentioning Things Already Discussed
Example:
“These points deserve more attention.”
When “These” Can Feel Awkward
Although grammatically correct, “these” can sound unnatural if the context is unclear.
Example:
❌ “These are good.”
Without context, listeners may not know what “these” refers to.
Better:
✔ “These cookies are good.”
Always make sure the reference is clear.
Common Mistakes & Misunderstandings
Mistake #1: Confusing “These” and “This”
Incorrect:
❌ These book is interesting.
Correct:
✔ This book is interesting.
Reason:
“Book” is singular.
Mistake #2: Confusing “These” and “Those”
Many English learners struggle with this difference.
These = things nearby
Those = things farther away
Example:
- These shoes here are mine.
- Those shoes over there are yours.
Mistake #3: Using “These” With Singular Nouns
Incorrect:
❌ These phone is expensive.
Correct:
✔ This phone is expensive.
Mistake #4: Using “This” With Plural Nouns
Incorrect:
❌ This books are helpful.
Correct:
✔ These books are helpful.
Mistake #5: Unclear References
Incorrect:
❌ These are great.
Correct:
✔ These ideas are great.
Specific references improve clarity.
These vs. Those: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions about “these” involves “those.”
These
Used for:
- Multiple items
- Things close to the speaker
Examples:
- These flowers smell wonderful.
- These keys are mine.
Those
Used for:
- Multiple items
- Things farther away
Examples:
- Those mountains look beautiful.
- Those houses are expensive.
A simple memory trick:
- These = near
- Those = far
Related Words & Similar Terms
If you’re researching the meaning of “these,” you may also want to understand these related grammar terms.
This
Refers to one nearby thing.
Example:
“This chair is comfortable.”
Those
Refers to multiple distant things.
Example:
“Those cars are fast.”
That
Refers to one distant thing.
Example:
“That building is tall.”
Demonstrative Pronouns
Words that point to specific people or things.
Examples:
- This
- That
- These
- Those
Determiners
Words that come before nouns to identify them.
Example:
“These books are mine.”
These related topics provide useful internal linking opportunities for educational and language-learning websites.
Why Understanding “These” Matters
The word “these” may seem simple, but it plays an important role in communication.
Using it correctly helps:
- Improve grammar
- Write more clearly
- Speak naturally
- Understand English conversations
- Communicate confidently
Whether you’re learning English, writing professionally, or chatting online, mastering words like “these” can significantly improve your communication skills.
FAQs
What does “these” mean?
“These” refers to two or more people, objects, or ideas that are nearby or already known in a conversation.
What does “these” mean in text?
In text messages, “these” usually refers to multiple items, photos, ideas, or events being discussed.
Is “these” a slang word?
No. “These” is a standard English grammar word, not internet slang.
What is the difference between “this” and “these”?
“This” refers to one thing, while “these” refers to two or more things.
How do you use “these” in a sentence?
Example:
“These books belong to my sister.”
The word refers to multiple books.
Conclusion
The meaning of “these“ is simple but essential for clear communication. It is the plural form of “this” and is used to refer to multiple people, objects, ideas, or things that are nearby or already being discussed.
Key takeaways:
- “These” refers to more than one thing.
- It is the plural form of “this.”
- It is not slang or an abbreviation.
- It is commonly used in speech, writing, texting, and social media.
- Understanding “these” helps improve English grammar and communication skills.
Now that you understand the meaning of “these,” you’ll be able to use it confidently in conversations, writing, and everyday communication.
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