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Joseph A Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Of 'em

Hello everyone,

A. Is the phrase "of 'em" correct in the following sentence? Or must it be "of them"?

But where are Flint's men now? Most of 'em are on board this ship, and they are glad to earn a bit of money.

Source: treasure Island, chapter "What I heard in the apple barrel"

B. Was " of 'em" okay in the old English at that time?

Regards,

JA

  

Top answer

Yes. It's still said today. Clive

— Clive

  • Yes.
  • It's still said today.
  • Clive
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2 Answers
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Yes.

It's still said today.

Clive

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"'em" means "them", of course.

The author is showing the reader the way that this character speaks, in particular, how he runs words together when speaking. It's more effective in story-telling than saying, "This person used to run his words together". The author shows you rather than tells you. This is a mark of good fictional writing.

It's not a matter of grammar. For example

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