Them vs These or Those
What’s the difference between them?
Them
Meaning:
Pronoun - third-person plural pronoun used to refer to multiple people, things, or ideas.
Examples:
1. I heard them talking about the upcoming event.
2. I knew I could trust them to get the job done.
3. I told them I would be there soon.
These or Those
Meaning:
These or those are demonstrative pronouns used to refer to specific persons or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
Examples:
1. Those apples look much riper than these.
2. I'm not sure which shirt I should buy - these or those?
3. Would you prefer to eat these or those cookies?
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Them
1. For them
2. For people
1. Us
2. Me
3. Ourselves
4. Individual
5. Separate entities
These or Those
1. This or That
2. The Former or the Latter
3. Such or Such
4. Yonder or Yond
5. Here or There
1. Neither of these nor those
2. Neither one nor the other
3. None of these nor those
4. Neither here nor there
5. Neither this nor that
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Them", "These or Those".
1. The word 'them' is used to refer to a group of people, things, or ideas, while 'these' and 'those' are used to refer to specific people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
2. When using 'them' and 'these/those' in your writing, make sure to keep the context in mind.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'them' be used?
Them should be used to refer to multiple people, things, or ideas. For example, 'We brought them with us'.
When is the appropriate context for using 'these or those'?
These or those should be used when referring to specific persons or things previously mentioned or easily identified. For example, 'These are my shoes' or 'Those are your items'.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, them and these/those do not share the same pronunciation. The word them is pronounced with a short 'e' sound, while these and those are pronounced with a long 'ee' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is using them interchangeably. Them is a third-person plural pronoun and these and those are demonstrative pronouns; they should not be used interchangeably. Additionally, people sometimes mispronounce these and those by using a short 'e' sound, instead of the correct long 'e' sound.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. Can you pass _____ books to me? Theyre right next to you.
2. Ive made some cookies. Would you like to try _____?
3. _____ are the pencils you lent me last week.
4. Ive never seen _____ paintings before. Are they new?
5. We should invite _____ people to the party, theyre our neighbors.
6. _____ shoes over there are really stylish. Whose are they?
1. Can you pass these books to me? Theyre right next to you.
Explanation: These is used because the books are close to the speaker and listener, and are specific items being referred to.
2. Ive made some cookies. Would you like to try them?
Explanation: Them is used to refer to the cookies that were mentioned in the previous sentence.
3. These are the pencils you lent me last week.
Explanation: These is used because the pencils are specific items being presented by the speaker to the listener.
4. Ive never seen those paintings before. Are they new?
Explanation: Those is used to refer to specific items (paintings) that are not close to the speaker.
5. We should invite them people to the party, theyre our neighbors.
Explanation: Them is used to refer to a group of people previously identified as our neighbors.
6. Those shoes over there are really stylish. Whose are they?
Explanation: Those is used because the shoes are at a distance from the speaker and are specific items being referred to.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.