Personal Pronoun THEM — How to Talk About Other People as the Receivers
Quick Answer
Use them when something happens to two or more people — when others are the receivers of the action. “Them” comes after a verb or preposition.
Example: I saw them at the cafe. (I did the seeing. They received it.)
THEM in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how it works:
- I called them yesterday. (I am the doer. They are the receivers.)
- Give them the keys. (You give. They receive.)
- Sit next to them. (After the preposition “next to.”)
When to Use THEM
Them is the object pronoun for two or more people, animals, or things. It comes after the verb (call them, see them, help them) or after a preposition (with them, for them, to them).
- After a verb (someone does something to the group): “I saw them.”
- After a preposition: “Come with them.”
- Receiving things: “She gave them a present.”
- Being talked about: “They are talking about them.”
Easy way to remember: Them = receivers (others). After the verb. “They” do, “them” receive.
The Rule in One Line: Use them when others are the object — the ones receiving the action.
Real-Life Examples With THEM
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- Can you help them with the bags? (You help. They receive the help.)
- I gave them a birthday card. (I am the giver. They receive.)
- Tom invited them to dinner. (Tom invites. They are the invited.)
- Are you talking about them? (After the preposition “about.”)
- Come and meet them. (After the verb “meet.”)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With THEM
The most common mix-up is using “they” when you should use “them.” “They” does the action; “them” receives it. “Their” shows ownership and is a different word entirely.
Using they as the receiver
✗ I saw they at the cafe.
✓ I saw them at the cafe.
Using their instead of them
✗ Give their the keys.
✓ Give them the keys.
Using them as the subject
✗ Them live in London.
✓ They live in London.
How to remember: Them comes after. “Call them,” “see them,” “give them,” “with them” — verb or preposition first, then “them.”
Common “them” sentences: call them, see them, help them, with them, for them, give them, meet them.
Test Yourself: THEM
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. I saw _______ at the supermarket yesterday.
2. Can you help _______ with the project?
3. She gave _______ a beautiful gift.
4. Come and sit with _______.
5. They are looking at _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned them — the twelfth and final pronoun in the set. You now know all twelve: I, me, you, he, him, she, her, it, we, us, they, them. Every English sentence uses at least one of these words. You can talk about anyone, anywhere, doing anything.
This is the end of the personal-pronouns lesson — and the end of the foundation set. Next, the A1 Grammar hub opens up dozens more lessons that build on top of these pronouns. Pick one that catches your eye and keep going.
Next lesson: Back to the A1 Grammar Hub
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.