They/these

[Rachel Adams]

Is it wrong to use "they" in #1 and "these" in #2 in questions?

2. "Who are they?" "These are pencils."

4. "Who are these?" "They are my parents."

 

[Tarheel]

No. No. Say:

Q: Who are they?
A: They are my parents.

You could say:

Q: What are those?
A: They are pencils.

:-?

 

[tzfujimino]

I think #4 is OK.

 

[Rachel Adams]

No. No. Say:

Q: Who are they?
A: They are my parents.

You could say:

Q: What are those?
A: They are pencils.

:-?

I noticed that in questions when asking about objects native speakers use "these/those" in questions and "they" only in answers. Not "What are they?" "They are pencils." But "What are these/those?" "They are pencils." "These/those" in questions and "they" in answers.

 

[Rover_KE]

If you showed me that picture and asked 'What are these? or 'What are those?' (You could use either) I'd reply 'Pencils'.

If I felt like giving a longer answer, I'd say 'They're pencils'.

Or I might say 'Those are pencils'.

I'd use 'those' because I'm referring to the picture you're showing me on the page.

If I had some pencils in my hand, I'd say 'These are pencils'.

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, why did you label your questions 2 and 4 (instead of 1 & 2)? Two, I would never say "Who are these?" referring to people.

 

[Tarheel]

I might if, for example, I were pointing to people in a photograph.

"Who are these people?" maybe.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I might if, for example, I were pointing to people in a photograph.

Is it the only case when it's used to refer to people? Would it sound rude in other contexts?

 

[Rachel Adams]

I might if, for example, I were pointing to people in a photograph.

Is the book using it in the same context you are talking about? It uses "these" and asks about people.


It's from "Oxford Discover Grammar" by Helen Casey.