Synonym: communicate, express, phrase, put, say, tell, voice. Similar words: in a word, in other words, cord, order, work, record, in order, border. Meaning: [wɜrd /wɜːd] 
n. 1. a unit of language that native speakers can identify 2. a brief statement 3. new information about specific and timely events 4. the divine word of God; the second person in the Trinity (incarnate in Jesus) 5. a promise 6. a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group 7. an exchange of views on some topic 8. the sacred writings of the Christian religions 9. a verbal command for action 10. a word is a string of bits stored in computer memory. v. put into words or an expression.
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1. The word «Impossible» is not in my dictionary. 
2. A kind word is never lost.
3. There is great difference between word and deed.
4. One honest word is better than two oaths.
5. Love rules his kingdom without a word.
6. A word spoken is past recalling.
7. Many a true word is spoken in jest.
8. A word to the wise is enough.
9. The word once spoken can never be realled.
10. To a wise man one word is enough.
11. Believe somebody on his bare word.
12. A word in season is most precious.
13. Every brave man is a man of his word.
14. There is many a true word spoken in jest.
15. A wise man hears one word and understand two.
16. A word spoken is an arrow let fly.
17. A word in time is worth two afterwards.
17. Sentencedict.com try its best to collect and make good sentences.
18. A word spoken cannot be recalled.
19. A word is enough to the wise.
20. Suit the action to the word.
21. A word and a stone let go cannot be recalled.
22. An honest man’s word is as good as his bond.
23. While the word is in your mouth, it is your own; when ’tis once spoken, ’tis another’s.
24. A word is no arrow, but it can pierce the heart.
25. The chinese word for crisis is divided into two characters, one meaning danger and the other meaning opportunity.
26. Half a tale [word] is enough for a wise man.
27. Education commences at the mother’s knee, andevery word spoken within the hearsay of children tends towards the formation of character.
28. Life is a leaf of paper white, thereon each of us may write his word or two.
29. Speak clearly if you speak at all, Carve every word before you let it fall.
30. On the great clock of time there is but one word, «Now».
More similar words: in a word, in other words, cord, order, work, record, in order, border, works, worth, worry, world, at work, can afford, afford to, work off, work at, work up, worthy, work out, at worst, worker, network, workout, in order to, out of order, border on, disorder, be worth, according.
Used with adjectives:
«He likes to use big words around adults.«
(big, fancy, long, difficult, hard)
«Her children use polite words.«
(polite, nice, kind, friendly)
«He says mean words to his brother.«
(mean, unkind, hurtful, harsh)
«The teacher uses simple words in class.«
(simple, easy, everyday, basic)
«What were his exact words?«
(exact, precise)
«He memorized some key words for his speech.«
(key)
«Find the wrong word in the sentence.«
(wrong, incorrect, misspelled, right, correct)
«He learned bad words from his friend.«
(bad, curse, cuss, dirty, naughty, obscene, foul, profane, slang)
«I’ll let you in if you say the magic word.«
(magic, code)
«He always has to have the final word during arguments.«
(final, last)
«Thank you for your encouraging words.«
(encouraging, comforting, soothing, wise)
«Your words are meaningless to me.«
(meaningless, empty, discouraging)
«She had a quick word with her son and he didn’t misbehave again.«
(quick, quiet, firm, stern)
«What is another word for car?«
(another, a substitute)
Used with verbs:
«Can I have a word with you?«
(have)
«She uses a lot of big words to impress people.«
(uses, says)
«Do not mention any word of this to him.«
(mention, say, speak)
«How do you pronounce this word?«
(pronounce, say, spell)
«He often misuses that word.«
(misuses, mispronounces, misspells)
«I do not speak a word of Chinese.«
(speak, know, understand)
«Look up the word in the dictionary.«
(Look up, find)
«Choose your words carefully with sensitive people.«
(choose, pick, select)
«Please translate these words for me.«
(translate)
«What does this word mean?«
(mean, indicate, signify)
«Words cannot express how thankful I am.«
(express, describe)
«The word begins with the letter b.«
(begins with, starts with)
«Please repeat the word.«
(repeat)
«She whispered the secret word in my ear.«
(whispered, said)
«He typed the words on a piece of paper.«
(typed, wrote)
«I could not read a word of it.«
(read, hear)
«He erased the bad word.«
(erased, deleted, crossed out)
«She memorized all of the words to the famous speech.«
(memorized, remembered, recalled)
«I give you my word that I will do everything I can.«
(give)
«I hope you keep your word about helping me.«
(keep)
«Describe in your own words what happened.«
(Describe, explain)
«He never breaks his word.«
(breaks, goes back on)
«Please trust my word on this.«
(trust, believe)
«How could you doubt my words?«
(doubt)
«Please send word to my family that I am doing well.«
(send, bring, get)
«Did you get word of what happened to them?»
(get, receive, hear)
«She spread the word about massive layoffs at the company.«
(spread)
«Just say the word and I will be there.«
(say)
Used with prepositions:
«Please tell the jury in your own words what happened.«
(in)
«What is the Spanish word for restroom?«
(for)
«We had a word about her behavior.«
(about)
«Can we have a word from our guest?«
(from)
«Let me give you a word of advice.«
(of)
«I need a quick word with you.«
(with)
Used with nouns:
«Would you like to play a word game?«
(game, puzzle)
«Her word choice was offensive.«
(choice)
«The therapist had the couple play word association.«
(association)
«The essay contest has a minimum word count.«
(count)
The demonstrative adjectives this/that/these/those, which may also be pronouns, tell us where an object is located and how many objects there are.
| This and that are used to point to one object. This points to something nearby, while that points to something “over there.” | |
| Examples: | This dog is mine. This is mine. That dog is hers. That is hers. |
| These and those refer to more than one object. These points to things nearby, while those points to things “over there.” | |
| Examples: | These babies have been smiling for a while. These are mine. Those babies in the nursery have been crying for hours. Those are yours. |
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If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the «Comment» box at the bottom of this page.
Top Grammar Blog Posts
Your two examples are focusing on the word «that»:
What «small» here means is, that, …
What «small» here means is …
You could use «that» but it shouldn’t have the commas and I much prefer it without the «that».
But I think the bigger problem is the order of «here» and «means»:
What «small» means here is…
You could also remove «what»:
«Small», here, means…
Which gives us these final examples:
X is a small Y. What «small» means here is less than 30 inches.
X is a small Y. «Small», here, means less than 30 inches.
Other options:
X is a small Y. «Small» means less than 30 inches.
X is a small Y («small» meaning less than 30 inches).
X is a small Y. «Small» in this context means «less than 30 inches.»
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These and those are both pronouns, words that substitute for other nouns in a sentence. Knowing when to use each pronoun can be tricky, however. If you’re confused about when to use these and those, read on to find out the difference between them.
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Understand the function of pronouns. These and those are both pronouns, words that refer to or substitute for other nouns in the sentence. They draw attention to something specific. Because a pronoun takes the place of another noun, using the correct one helps your reader understand what the referent of the pronoun is (i.e., what noun it took the place of).[1]
- These and those are plural pronouns: they refer to or replace plural nouns.
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2
Understand pronoun agreement. «Agreement» means that the pronoun takes the same number as the noun it replaces. If the noun is singular, you would use this or that. If the noun is plural, you would use these or those.[2]
- American English considers collective nouns, or nouns that refer to a large group of things that cannot be counted individually (such as milk or data), as singular nouns. Use this or that rather that these or those for collective nouns. For example: «This milk has spilled all over the floor!»
- British English differs from American English in using collective nouns. British English refers to some collective nouns such as crowd or data as plural, so it is appropriate to use these or those in British English. For example: «These data don’t match the graphs you gave me.»
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Understand the function of these. These is the plural form of this. You will use it to refer to or replace a plural noun.[3]
- Singular: This book (a single book) on the shelf next to me belongs to Rajeev.
- Plural: These books (several books) on the shelf next to me belong to Rajeev. [Note that the verb belong has also been made to agree in number.]
- Singular: Look at this bracelet (a single bracelet) on my wrist!
- Plural: Look at these bracelets (many bracelets) on my wrist!
- Singular: Who put this cupcake (a single cupcake) in the refrigerator?
- Plural: Who put these cupcakes (some cupcakes) in the refrigerator?
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4
Understand the function of those. Those is the plural form of that. You will use it to refer to or replace a plural noun.[4]
- Singular: That mountain (a mountain) looks really small from here.
- Plural: Those mountains (several mountains) look really small from here. [Note that the verb look has also been made to agree in number.]
- Singular: Could you hand me that box (a box) on the other side of the room?
- Plural: Could you hand me those boxes (a few boxes) on the other side of the room?
- Singular: Why hasn’t that scientist (a scientist) at NASA found extraterrestrial life?
- Plural: Why haven’t those scientists (many scientists) at NASA found extraterrestrial life? [Note that the verb have has also been made to agree in number.]
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1
Use these to replace nouns that are nearby in space and time. If the noun you are referring to is near to you, either physically or figuratively, you can replace it with these.
- I’m holding three chocolate bars. Do you want all of these? (These replaces chocolate bars.)
- Would you like to borrow some books? Here, take these. (These replaces books.)
- These are so beautiful! Thank you for the flowers. (These replaces flowers.)
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2
Use these to refer to something that is physically nearby. This and these are both used to refer to something that is closer to the speaker. You can use these to draw particular attention to items.[5]
- These books on the shelf belong to Rajeev. [The books are near the speaker.]
- Look at all these bracelets on my wrist! [The bracelets are on the speaker’s wrist, so they’re nearby.]
- Who put these cupcakes in the refrigerator? [Presumably, the speaker is close to the cupcakes.]
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3
Use these to describe when something is figuratively nearby. This and these are also used to express figurative distances, particularly distances having to do with time. Use these when something is happening in the present, has happened in the recent past, or will happen in the near future.[6]
- These shows I’ve been watching are absolutely extraordinary. [The shows have been watched in the recent past.]
- Have you seen these letters to the editor in today’s news? [The letters have been published in today’s newspaper.]
- Why don’t you take these books with you when you go? [The books will be taken by the other person in the near future.]
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4
Use these to introduce people to others. If you are introducing more than one person to someone else, you can use these to begin your sentence.[7]
- For example: «These are my classmates, Sean and Adrienne.»
- However, in English we do not use these to refer directly to people: «These are Sean and Adrienne» is incorrect. Instead, you would say «This is Sean and this is Adrienne.»
- If introducing yourself, as when answering the phone, use this: «Hello, this is Chang.»
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Use «those» to replace nouns that are farther away in space and time. If the noun you are referring to is far from you, either physically or figuratively, you can replace it with those
- That man over there is holding three chocolate bars. Do you want all of those? (Those replaces chocolate bars.)
- Would you like to borrow some books ? Take those over there on the shelf. (Those replaces books.)
- Those were so beautiful! Thank you for the flowers you gave me yesterday. (Those replaces flowers.)
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2
Use those when something is physically far away (relatively speaking). That and those are both used to refer to something that is farther away from the speaker. This distance can be literal or more figurative. Using those can draw attention or emphasis to the noun you’re discussing.[8]
- Those mountains look really small from here. [The mountains are far away from the speaker.]
- Could you hand me those boxes on the other side of the room? [The boxes are on the other side of the room.]
- Why haven’t those scientists at NASA found extraterrestrial life? [The speaker may be emphasizing that they don’t feel connected to the NASA scientists.]
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3
Use those to describe when something is figuratively more distant. That and those are used to express figurative distances too, particularly distances having to do with time. Use those when something has happened in the relatively distant past or will happen in the relatively distant future.[9]
- Those shows I watched last week were absolutely extraordinary. [The shows were watched some time ago.]
- Did you see those letters to the editor in yesterday’s news? [The letters were published in the past.]
- Why do all those politicians fight so much? [The speaker may be emphasizing a feeling of personal distance from the politicians.]
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Usage Chart
Add New Question
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Question
Should I use ‘this/that’ or ‘these/those’ for a pair of shoes or jeans, and why?
Use the ‘this/that’ when you refer to shoes or jeans as a ‘pair;’ but you should use ‘these/those’ when you just say ‘shoes’ or ‘jeans.’ The word ‘pair’ is treated as singular and ‘shoes’ or ‘jeans’ as plural.
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Question
Can I say»this/these is/are the news»?
News is considered a singular entity. «This is the news.»
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Question
«Those are three pretty girls» or «Those three are pretty girls» — which is correct?
They are both grammatically correct, but the first one is more natural and more likely to be used.
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If you can count the number of objects you’re talking about (like pencils, sheep, or people) use these’ or those.[10]
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If you can’t count the number of objects you’re talking about (like milk, software, or rain), use this or that.
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References
About This Article
Article SummaryX
If you’re not sure how to use the words “these” and “those” correctly, try to remember that “these” refers to multiple objects which are nearby in space and time, while “those” refers to objects which are far away. For example, you might say, «I loved those cookies you made yesterday,» or you could say «These books are making my backpack really heavy!» To learn more about the functions of pronouns from our English reviewer, read on!
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