Feb. 4, 2025
These
The following is a conversation between A and B.
I wonder if "these" in the last sentence should be "those."
A: I am going to Scotland in May.
B: How exciting!
If you end up in the Highlands (Inverness), we can always meet for coffee!
A: I’m planning to visit Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of these cities.
Correction Settings
These
The following is a conversation between A and B. I wonder if "these" in the last sentence should be "those."
A: I am going to Scotland in May.
B: How exciting!
If you end up in the Highlands (Inverness), we can always meet for coffee!
A: I’m planning to visit Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of these cities.
Feedback
Adding to what others have already said, there's a slightly different nuance between "these" / "those", and I personally prefer the tone of "these", but I don't think "those" is necessarily incorrect.
That being said, in a conversation, it might actually be more natural to say something like:
"Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of them".
Saying "these cities" is a little bit of unnecessary repetition, and might sound slightly unnatural.
April 4, 2025
> Saying "these cities" is a little bit of unnecessary repetition, and might sound slightly unnatural.
Got it!
Thanks for the feedback!
These
The following is a conversation between A and B. I wonder if "these" in the last sentence should be "those."
A: I am going to Scotland in May.
B: How exciting!
If you end up in the Highlands (Inverness), we can always meet for coffee!
A: I’m planning to visit Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of these cities.
Feedback
I think that the analysis the other user provided is accurate, but I’m thinking about how the conversation would play out and I would most likely say “those” cities. It sounds more natural to me. It’s hard to say why—“those” is referring back to the cities in the previous sentence. The subject of the sentence is Inverness, and “those” feels more remote and therefore feels like a better fit.
I think this just goes to show both would sound natural and it’s just a matter of personal preference. I don’t think there is any deeper logic to my answer.
Feb. 4, 2025
> It’s just a matter of personal preference.
I see.
I appreciate your help!
These
The following is a conversation between A and B. I wonder if "these" in the last sentence should be "those."
A: I am going to Scotland in May.
B: How exciting!
If you end up in the Highlands (Inverness), we can always meet for coffee!
A: I’m planning to visit Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of these cities.
Feedback
I think "these" is actually correct, and the sentence is fine as it is.
A is talking about the cities they're planning to visit *now*—Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh. A is in the process of making travel plans, so "these" makes sense because they are part of A's current plan/intentions, and A is thinking of them in the present moment. The cities are "close" to A in that sense.
If A had said something like "I’ve already been to those cities" or was talking about distant cities not on their current plan, then "those" might fit better.
Feb. 4, 2025
Thanks for the detailed explanations!
I understand perfectly!
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A: I am going to Scotland in May. This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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B: How exciting! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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If you end up in the Highlands (Inverness), we can always meet for coffee! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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A: I’m planning to visit Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh. This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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Unfortunately, Inverness appears to be a bit far from any of these cities. This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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These This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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The following is a conversation between A and B. I wonder if "these" in the last sentence should be "those." This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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