There's a simple test:
What are those?
A. Those are apples.
B. They are apples.
The answer key is B. This might just be a simple question, but I don't have a strong reason why A is not correct? Any thoughts? Thanks!
There's a simple test:
What are those?
A. Those are apples.
B. They are apples.
The answer key is B. This might just be a simple question, but I don't have a strong reason why A is not correct? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Both "Those are" and "They are" are grammatically possible, but "They are" is more likely.
"Those" is a demonstrative pronoun. It can be used to refer to an object that hasn't been mentioned before, by indicating it as "the ones distant from the speaker". "They" is a personal pronoun. It refers to an object that has already been mentioned.
"Those" can refer to objects that are distant from the speaker, but may be close to the listener. As such the reply could be "These are".
However there is no need to use a demonstrative pronoun to refer to something, as it has already been referred to by the first speaker. This means I can just use a personal pronoun to refer to "the same thing that you are talking about". When it is possible to use "they" it is preferable to using "those" as it avoids repetition.
A is not incorrect. It's just another way of responding to that question.
A native speaker would more likely use they in unexceptional circumstances, especially if no emphasis were required. But it would not be wrong, nor even unusual, for one to use those in slightly heightened circumstances.
Teacher opens a folder and begins handing out papers. Alarmed, a boy in the back row raises his hand:
Student: What are those?
Teacher: Those are quizzes. We're going to find out who read the assignment.
It is a slightly more mannered way of answering the question, but it would cause no confusion to anyone. It would also not be uncommon for the word to be stressed slightly.
those points (verbally) at something.
When do we physically point at something? When it is not close to us and we're pointing it out to someone who may or may not be close to it.
Look at those birds up on the wire. I've never seen that species around here.
Or when it is close to us but far from the person we are speaking to. these points (verbally) at something close to the speaker.
These shoes I'm wearing are new.
Consider this exchange:
These shoes I'm wearing are new.
-- Hey, those are nice shoes. Where did you get them?
I got them at the shoe store on Main Street.
-- They look very comfortable.