Does the word these modifiy plural nouns that are close by?

Yes, the Word 'these' as an adjective placed before a noun is to modify a noun as near in time or place.

The Word 'these' is also a demonstrative pronoun, a Word that takes the place of a plural noun for something near in time or distance. The demonstrative pronouns are: this, that, these, and those.

Examples:

adjective: These shoes will match my new suit.

demonstrative pronoun: These are more expensive than those.