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These $10 Booties At TJ Maxx Are Going Viral For All The Wrong Reasons

Mar 12, 2026 • minute read

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Imagine scrolling through TikTok and stumbling upon a frenzy of reactions to a pair of $10 booties from TJ Maxx. Some users gasp, "These booties are a fashion nightmare!" Others chuckle, "Those shoes are hilariously ugly." Wait—did they just switch from "these" to "those"? Does it even matter? As it turns out, that tiny word choice sparks a massive grammar debate. The viral booties aren’t just dividing fashion opinions; they’re highlighting a common stumbling block for English learners and even native speakers: the precise use of demonstrative pronouns and determiners. Whether you’re describing bargain-bin footwear or ordering a coffee, mastering this, that, these, those, and their friends is non-negotiable for clear communication. In this guide, we’ll dissect every nuance, from pronunciation quirks to sentence-shattering mistakes, using the booties brouhaha as our launchpad. By the end, you’ll navigate proximity, number, and context like a linguistics pro—and never second-guess whether it’s "these booties" or "those booties" again.

The Viral Booties and Why "These" vs. "Those" Matters

The internet is awash with videos of shoppers holding up the infamous $10 booties, exclaiming, "Look at these!" or "Can you believe those?" At first glance, it seems like casual chatter. But swap "these" for "those", and you subtly shift the spatial and psychological distance. "These" implies the booties are right here—perhaps in the shopper’s hands or just tried on. "Those" suggests they’re farther away, maybe on a display shelf or in a photo. In the fast-paced world of social media, where tone and precision are easily lost, such distinctions can change a sentence’s meaning entirely. Are you mocking the booties up close or from a safe distance? The word you choose tells the audience where you stand—literally and figuratively.

This viral moment isn’t just about fashion; it’s a masterclass in demonstratives in action. Every time you point something out—whether it’s a pair of shoes, an idea in a meeting, or a memory from childhood—you’re using this family of words. Yet, confusion abounds. A 2023 study by the Cambridge English Corpus found that demonstrative pronoun errors rank in the top five mistakes for intermediate ESL learners, often leading to ambiguous or incorrect statements. So, before we judge the booties, let’s judge our own grammar. Understanding this, that, these, those isn’t pedantic; it’s practical. It sharpens your ability to describe the world with accuracy, whether you’re writing an email, telling a story, or roasting a budget find online.

What Are Demonstrative Pronouns? A Quick Refresher

At their core, demonstratives are words that point to specific nouns, highlighting which person, object, or idea you mean. They function in two primary ways:

As determiners (or adjective pronouns), they modify a noun: "This lecture is boring."
As pronouns, they replace the noun: "This is boring."

The main players are this, that, these, those. They’re joined by the definite article the, which also points to specific items but doesn’t change form for number or distance. Here and there are often grouped with them as adverbs of place, but they don’t directly replace nouns—they indicate location ("The booties are here" vs. "The booties are there").

Why does this matter? Because choosing the wrong demonstrative can leave your listener guessing. Imagine saying, "I like that" while holding a bootie in your hand. You’d sound confused or sarcastic. The correct choice, "I like this," confirms you’re referring to the immediate object. Demonstratives are the GPS of language: they guide your audience to the exact referent. Without them, conversations become vague and inefficient. So, let’s break down each word’s job.

Singular vs. Plural: This/These and That/Those

The first rule is number agreement. This and that are singular; these and those are plural. This isn’t optional—it’s a grammatical law enforced by subject-verb agreement.

Singular: This bootie is hideous. / That bootie is hideous.
Plural: These booties are hideous. / Those booties are hideous.

Notice how the verb changes: is for singular, are for plural. If you say, "This booties are..." you’ve created a collision of singular determiner and plural noun—a red flag for native ears. The same applies when demonstratives act as pronouns: "This is mine." (singular) vs. "These are mine." (plural).

But here’s where learners often slip: "these" and "those"only refer to plural nouns. You can’t say "These is..." or "Those is..."—it’s always "These/Those are...". Conversely, "this" and "that"only pair with singular nouns or stand alone as singular pronouns. A quick trick: if you can add an -s to the noun, you need these/those. "This/that cat" vs. "These/those cats."

In the TJ Maxx booties saga, a shopper holding one pair might say, "This bootie cost $10!" But if they’ve grabbed three pairs, it becomes "These booties cost $10 each!" Mixing them up doesn’t just sound off—it can imply you’re unsure about basic counting, undermining your credibility.

The Pronunciation Puzzle: Why "This" Sounds Like "Dis" and "These" Like "Theez"

Pronunciation isn’t just about accents; it’s about spelling-sound relationships that reveal syllable structure. Here’s the breakdown:

This: pronounced /ðɪs/ (like "dis" with a soft th). It’s a 重读闭音节 (stressed closed syllable)—the short i sound /ɪ/ is "trapped" by a consonant (s), making it brief.
These: pronounced /ðiːz/ (like "theez"). It’s a 重读开音节 (stressed open syllable)—the e is followed by a single consonant plus a silent e, stretching the vowel to a long ee sound /iː/.

The key is the final -e:

When e is at the end of a syllable (open syllable), the preceding vowel says its name: these (thee-), these → /iː/.
When e is inside a syllable (closed syllable), it usually says its short sound: this → /ɪ/.

But wait—what about that /ðæt/ and those /ðoʊz/? They follow a similar pattern:

That: closed syllable, short a /æ/.
Those: open syllable (due to silent -e), long o /oʊ/.

For i specifically:

Open syllable: i says /aɪ/ (like I, bike).
Closed syllable: i says /ɪ/ (like bit, sit).

So, "this" rhymes with "miss" (closed), while "these" rhymes with "seas" (open). Mispronouncing them can confuse listeners. If you say "I like dis booties" instead of "I like these booties," it might sound like you’re referring to "this" (singular) but using a plural noun—a double error. Practice by clapping the syllables: this (1 clap, closed), these (1 clap, open). Get it right, and you’ll instantly sound more fluent.

Proximity is Key: Near (This/These) vs. Far (That/Those)

The core meaning of demonstratives hinges on psychological and physical distance. Think of them as a distance spectrum:

Demonstrative	Distance	Number	Example
This	Near	Singular	This bootie fits perfectly. (in your hand)
These	Near	Plural	These booties are on sale. (right here on the rack)
That	Far	Singular	That bootie looks better from afar. (on the other side of the store)
Those	Far	Plural	Those booties are overpriced. (in the window display)

But "near" and "far" aren’t just about meters. They encompass:

Physical space: Items within arm’s reach vs. across the room.
Time: This morning (today), that morning (yesterday or a past morning).
Emotional/intellectual distance: This idea is brilliant! (enthusiastic, engaged) vs. That idea is flawed. (dismissive, detached).
Discourse context: This brings me to my next point... (immediate topic) vs. That reminds me of a story... (slightly removed).

In the viral booties clip, a shopper might say, "These are the ugliest booties I’ve ever seen!" while holding them—emphasizing immediate, visceral reaction. But if they’re scrolling online, they’d say, "Those $10 booties are going viral!" because the booties are figuratively far (on screen). Using the wrong one feels jarring. If you point at a bootie on your foot and say, "Those are comfy," it implies you’re talking about booties somewhere else, not the ones you’re wearing. Proximity isn’t optional; it’s the soul of demonstratives.

Using Demonstratives as Pronouns vs. Determiners

A critical distinction separates how these words function in sentences:

As determiners (adjectival use): They modify a noun and must be followed by that noun.
- "This lecture is long." (modifies lecture)
- "I bought those booties." (modifies booties)
As pronouns: They replace the noun entirely, standing alone as the subject or object.
- "This is long." (replaces lecture)
- "Those are mine." (replaces booties)

This is where the booties debate gets juicy. When someone asks, "What are these?" (pointing at booties), "these" is a pronoun—it’s the subject. But can you answer with "These are basketballs"? Absolutely yes. "These" here is a pronoun replacing "booties." However, many learners (and even the key sentences you provided) mistakenly think "These are..." is wrong. It’s not. What is wrong is using a determiner without a noun: "These are" (dangling) is incomplete; you need "These are booties." But as a full sentence, "These are booties" is perfectly grammatical.

The confusion often arises because in quick spoken answers, we tend to use personal pronouns (they, it) to avoid repeating the demonstrative. So:

Q: "What are these?"
A: "They are booties." (more natural, avoids repetition)
A: "These are booties." (correct but slightly redundant)

Both are acceptable, but "they" flows better in conversation. The key is ensuring the verb agrees: "These are..." (plural), not "These is...".

Common Grammar Pitfalls: From "What's These?" to Answering with "These Are"

Let’s tackle the errors that plague even advanced learners, using the booties as our case study.

Pitfall 1: Wrong Verb with Plural Demonstratives

❌ "What’s these?" (incorrect: "these" is plural, so verb must be are)
✅ "What are these?"
❌ "These is expensive."
✅ "These are expensive."

Rule: This/that → is; these/those → are. It’s that simple. The verb must match the number of the demonstrative pronoun/determiner.

Pitfall 2: Answering with the Same Demonstrative (Perceived as Redundant)

Many are taught: "Don’t answer 'What are these?' with 'These are...' Use 'They are...' instead." While "They are..." is often more natural, "These are..." is not grammatically wrong. The misconception stems from overgeneralizing a style tip. In reality:

If you’re pointing at the objects, "These are booties" is clear and emphatic.
In running discourse, "They are booties" avoids repetitive use of "these."

So, don’t fear "These are..."—just use it purposefully.

Pitfall 3: Confusing "Those" as Only a Determiner

Some believe "those" can’t be a pronoun. False. "Those are mine" is a complete sentence. The error occurs when you treat "those" as a determiner but omit the noun: "I like those" (pronoun, fine) vs. "I like those booties" (determiner, also fine). The key sentence you provided claims "What are those?" is wrong—it’s not. "What are those?" is a standard question using "those" as a pronoun.

Pitfall 4: Mixing Proximity and Number

❌ "I like this booties." (singular this + plural booties)
✅ "I like these booties."
❌ "That are cool." (singular that + plural verb)
✅ "Those are cool."

Pro tip: When in doubt, replace the demonstrative with a known singular/plural word. "This/that" behave like "it"; "these/those" behave like "they."

Beyond Demonstratives: When to Use "It" and "They"

Demonstratives often hand off to personal pronouns (it, they) once the referent is established. This is where cohesion in writing/speech kicks in.

It: Replaces a singular noun (often non-person, but can be for animals/objects when gender is unknown).
- "I bought this bootie. It was only $10."
They: Replaces a plural noun.
- "I love these booties. They are so comfortable."

Why switch? To avoid repetition. Imagine: "These booties are cheap. These booties are ugly. These booties are viral." It’s clunky. Better: "These booties are cheap, ugly, and viral." Or: "I love these booties. They are cheap, ugly, and viral."

Key nuance: Use demonstratives when you’re introducing something or emphasizing proximity. Use it/they for subsequent references. In the booties video: "Look at these! (first mention) They are only $10! (second mention)"

Practical Tips to Nail Demonstrative Pronouns Every Time

Ready to move from theory to fluency? Here are actionable strategies:

The "Arm’s Reach" Test: Physically gesture. If the object is within arm’s length, use this/these. If you’d need to walk to it, use that/those. Practice with items on your desk: "This pen, these papers, that window, those books."
Singular/Plural Swap: Replace the demonstrative with a known singular/plural word.
- "This is interesting." → "It is interesting." (both singular)
- "Those were fun." → "They were fun." (both plural)
  If the swap feels wrong, your demonstrative is off.
Listen for the Verb: In questions, the verb gives away the number.
- "What is this?" (singular)
- "What are those?" (plural)
  Train your ear by watching clips with subtitles. Pause and predict the demonstrative before it’s spoken.
Context is King: In writing, look for clues in nearby sentences.
- "I found a bootie. This was dusty." (first mention, near)
- "I found two booties. Those were dusty." (second mention, far—maybe you moved away)
Common Error Journal: Keep a log of your mistakes. Did you say "This are..."? Write the correct version. Over time, patterns emerge.
Use Realia: Don’t just study lists. Grab random objects and describe them with demonstratives. "This is my phone. These are my keys. That is the door. Those are my shoes." Muscle memory builds accuracy.
Beware of "There": Don’t confuse there (adverb of place) with they’re (contraction of they are) or their (possessive). "There are booties" (location) vs. "They’re booties" (they are) vs. "Their booties" (belong to them).

The Real-World Impact of Getting It Wrong

You might think, "Who cares if I mix up 'this' and 'that'? Everyone understands me." But in professional and academic settings, precision matters. A 2022 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that clarity in communication is a top criterion for hiring and promotions. Misusing demonstratives can:

Undermine credibility: In a business pitch, "This data shows... That data shows..." without clear reference points confuses stakeholders.
Cause ambiguity: "Hand me that tool" while pointing at two tools leaves the listener guessing.
Distract from your message: Readers or listeners might fixate on the error rather than your content.
Impact test scores: On English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL, demonstrative errors lower your grammar score.

Consider the TJ Maxx booties: if a fashion blogger writes, "These booties are viral, but those are worse," without clarifying which is which, readers might miss the point. In high-stakes scenarios—legal documents, scientific papers, technical manuals—such vagueness can have serious consequences. Mastery of demonstratives isn’t about being pedantic; it’s about respecting your audience’s time and intelligence by being precise.

Conclusion: From Viral Booties to Fluent Speech

The $10 booties at TJ Maxx went viral for their design, but they inadvertently spotlighted a fundamental English skill: using this, that, these, those with confidence. We’ve journeyed from the chaos of social media comments to the structured rules of grammar, uncovering how number, proximity, and function dictate your word choice. Remember:

This/that = singular; these/those = plural.
This/these = near; that/those = far.
Pronunciation hinges on open/closed syllables.
Both "These are..." and "They are..." can be correct answers—context decides.
Switch to it/they after first mention to avoid repetition.

Now, next time you see those booties (or any item), pause. Are they these (in your hands) or those (on the shelf)? Are you describing one or many? The small choice you make signals your command of English. So go ahead—describe the world with precision. And maybe, just maybe, appreciate those booties for the grammar lesson they never knew they were teaching. Your future self, in a meeting, writing an email, or scrolling TikTok, will thank you.

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