Them

Pronoun. Used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified; it functions as the objective form of 'they.' 'Them' can indicate ownership in some cases (e.g., 'their belongings'). It represents a group of individuals or objects, emphasizing plurality and often, but not always, objectivity. The word helps avoid repetition and creates a more concise expression. It can also replace proper nouns or phrases referring to people or animals. The appropriate use of 'them' contributes to clearer communication and ensures grammatical correctness, essential in both formal and informal writing and speaking.

Them meaning with examples

• The students completed the assignment, and the teacher praised them for their hard work. Here, 'them' refers to 'the students,' avoiding repetition and efficiently conveying the teacher's feedback. This simple use demonstrates the fundamental function of 'them' in replacing previously mentioned subjects, focusing on the collective group.
• I saw the dogs running in the park; I followed them to their owner. In this instance, 'them' stands in for 'the dogs' adding depth and detail to a brief sentence. Without 'them,' the narrative would require repetitive references to the dogs and be less easy to read.
• The new software is complex, so the technicians will have to train them. 'Them' now stands for the group of people, the users, who must learn how to use the new software, allowing for smooth sentence progression and less use of the subject.
• She bought fresh vegetables from the market and gave them to her neighbor. 'Them' signifies the vegetables bought at the market. It avoids a repetition of the name and object. In all cases, clarity of communication is improved by using 'them'.