They vs Them
What’s the difference between them?
They
Meaning:
refers to a group of people as doers of something.
Examples:
1. They enjoyed playing board games together.
2. They laughed at each other's jokes.
3. They had a wonderful time exploring the city.
Them
Meaning:
represents the group of people or things that have ‘experienced’ the action.
Examples:
1. My parents always make them clean their rooms on the weekends.
2. I am so grateful for all the help they gave them.
3. I invited them to my party but they never showed up.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
They
1. Theyselves
2. Them
3. Those
4. Themselves
5. Individuals
1. We
2. Us
3. Them
4. Nothing
5. Opposite
Them
1. They
2. Their
3. Those
4. Individuals
5. Themselves
1. Us
2. Me
3. Theirs
4. Ours
5. Opposite parties
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "They", "Them".
1. To remember the distinction between 'they' and 'them,' remember this mnemonic phrase: 'They do it, but it happens to them.'
2. Practical tip: Use 'they' when referring to a group of people as doers of something. Use 'them' to refer to a group of people or things that have ‘experienced’ the action.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'they' be used?
'They' should be used when referring to a group of people, such as when making a general statement about a group or when referring to a group of people as doers of something. For example, 'They went to the store' or 'They are happy.'
When is the appropriate context for using 'them'?
'Them' should be used to refer back to the group of people or things previously mentioned. For example, 'The people went to the store and them went home.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'They' is pronounced like 'thei' and 'them' is pronounced like 'them'.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most common mistakes people make when using these words is confusing 'they' and 'them' in sentences. It is important to remember that 'they' is used to refer to a group of people as doers of something, while 'them' is used to refer back to the group of people or things previously mentioned.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. We’ve invited ______ to the party.
2. He asked ______ for help.
3. ______ were happy to oblige.
4. ______ have been friends since childhood.
5. ______ made a great team.
6. I’m sure ______ will succeed.
1. We’ve invited them to the party.
Explanation: The word them is a personal pronoun which is being used here to refer back to a group of people who were previously mentioned.
2. He asked them for help.
Explanation: Again, the word them is being used as a personal pronoun to refer back to a group of people previously mentioned.
3. They were happy to oblige.
Explanation: The word they is a personal pronoun used to refer back to a group of people previously mentioned.
4. They have been friends since childhood.
Explanation: Here, the word they is a personal pronoun used to refer back to a group of people previously mentioned.
5. They made a great team.
Explanation: Again, the word they is being used as a personal pronoun to refer back to a group of people previously mentioned.
6. Im sure they will succeed.
Explanation: The word they is being used as a personal pronoun to refer back to a group of people previously mentioned.
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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.