Definition

1. Pronoun (Objective case of "they"):
   • Referring to a group of people or things previously mentioned: "them" is used as the object of a verb or preposition to indicate a specific group of individuals, animals, or objects that have already been identified.
   • Singular "they" (gender-neutral): Increasingly used as a singular pronoun to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or non-binary, especially in formal or inclusive language.

Usage Examples

• Plural (people):

  • I saw them at the park yesterday. (The speaker saw a specific group of people.)
  • Please give the books to them. (The books should be handed to the group.)

• Plural (objects):

  • The keys are on the table; can you take them? (Referring to the keys.)

• Singular (gender-neutral):

  • If a student needs help, tell them to visit the office. (Referring to an unspecified student.)
  • Alex said they would join us later; I'll wait for them. (Referring to a specific person named Alex.)

Advanced Usage

• "them" in emphatic or contrastive contexts:

  • It's not us, it's them who are responsible. (Emphasizing a different group.)
  • I don't like those shoes, but I love them over there. (Pointing to a specific set.)

• "them" as a colloquial demonstrative (nonstandard):

  • Pass me them apples, please. (Informal, meaning "those apples"; not considered standard English.)

Variants and Related Words

• They (subject pronoun): the nominative form of "them."

  • They are coming to dinner. (Subject of the sentence.)

• Their (possessive adjective): belonging to them.

  • Their house is on the corner. (The house belongs to them.)

• Theirs (possessive pronoun): something belonging to them.

  • That car is theirs. (The car belongs to them.)

• Themselves (reflexive pronoun): used for emphasis or when the subject and object are the same.

  • They hurt themselves during the game. (The subject "they" is also the object of the action.)

Synonyms

• Those (people/things): used in specific contexts, but not a direct synonym.
  • I prefer those over them. (Referring to a different set.)

Related Idioms

• "them and us" (or "us and them"): a phrase expressing a division between two groups, often implying conflict or difference.

  • There's always a sense of "them and us" between management and workers. (A feeling of separation between two opposing groups.)

• "one of them": a member of a particular group.

  • He's one of them, so he knows the rules. (He belongs to that specific group.)