Them vs These/Those? What’s the difference?

Grammar / By

“Them” is an object pronoun and “these” and “those” are demonstrative pronouns. You always use “them” after a verb. “These” and “those” can be used after a verb and also before nouns.

These and Those

These and those are known as demonstrative pronouns.

We use These for something near and plural.

We use Those for something far and plural.

We use the words these and those when we want to show things to other people.

Them

“Them” is an object pronoun. We use object pronouns for people or things that receive an action. “Them” is the object pronoun for the subject pronoun “they”(the person or thing that performs the action).

We can use them with people or plural things:

They are so bold! Can’t you suspend them?

Where are my keys? I can’t find them.   

Can you use Them in place of These or Those? 

In some situations, “them” can have a similar meaning to “these” and “those”.

1. Preference for object pronoun over demonstrative pronoun

In some situations, both the object pronoun and demonstrative pronoun could be possible. This is especially true if the listener may know what you are talking about. If you think they know, you can use “them” and if you are unsure, you can use “these” or “those.

Do you see the green apples over there? I want them.

Do you see the green apples over there? I want those.

2. English Dialect/ Old English

In an older form of English, “them” was common to use as a demonstrative pronoun. I can also be heard in parts of England and the United States today. 

What do you think of them apples?

Many people might find the above sentence incorrect and that the correct sentence would include “these” or “those” apples. 

“These” and “Those” can be demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives.

It is grammatically incorrect to use “them” in place of “these” and “those” when they are adjectives.

What are those planes in the sky? They are 737s.

What are them planes in the sky? They are 737s.

Conor
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