Cool MateThem
UK /["/ðəm//ðem/"]/US /["/ðəm//ðem/"]/
Definition
used when referring to people, animals or things as the object of a verb or preposition, or after the verb be
In simple words: A word used to refer to people or things that are not you or I.
Examples
- Tell them the news.
- What are you doing with those matches? Give them to me.
- Did you eat all of them?
- It's them.
- If anyone comes in before I get back, ask them to wait.
Usage notes
Used to refer to a group of people or things. It's informal in some contexts. Avoid using it as a singular pronoun.
Grammar pattern
pronoun + subject/object
Memory hint
Think of 'them' like 'the elm tree' — it's about what is around us.
Collocations
- tell them
- show them
- get to them
Synonyms
- they
- those
- themselves
Antonyms
- us
- we
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'those' when referring to people.
- Using 'them' as a singular pronoun in formal writing.
- Mixing up 'them' with 'they' in subject vs. object position.