"Why are you wearing those gloves? ~ My hands are cold."
Why "those" and not "these"?
✅ Sentence:
"Why are you wearing those gloves?" – "My hands are cold."
You're asking why “those” is used instead of “these.”
👀 What's the difference between these and those?
| Word | Use for… | Distance | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| These | Plural | Close to the speaker | "These books are on my desk." |
| Those | Plural | Farther from the speaker | "Those books are on the shelf." |
🧤 In your sentence:
Even though the person is wearing the gloves, the speaker might still say “those gloves” for one of these reasons:
✅ 1. They are not the speaker’s gloves
The speaker is talking about something someone else is wearing. English often uses those when referring to something another person has on, even if it’s physically close.
📌 “Those shoes look great on you.”
✅ Even though the shoes are close to the other person, they are not mine, so I use “those.”
✅ 2. Small emotional or psychological distance
Sometimes “those” can show a bit of emotional distance, curiosity, or even judgment:
“Why are you wearing those gloves?”
= “What’s going on with those strange gloves you’re wearing?”
So it's not about physical distance only—it can also reflect ownership or tone.
🧠 Summary
-
Use these when you talk about your own or something very close you’re touching or holding.
-
Use those when referring to something someone else is wearing or holding, or to create a small emotional distance.
🗨️ Example comparison:
"Why are you wearing these gloves?"
✅ This would sound like you’re talking about your own gloves (maybe you’re holding or taking them off).
"Why are you wearing those gloves?"
✅ Sounds like you’re asking someone about their gloves—normal and natural in conversation.