Those vs Them

Question

What is the correct usage of "those" and "them"?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

AnonymousWhat is the correct usage of "those" and "them"?

'Those' can be:

1. a demonstrative adjective:

Those cars are mine.

Have you seen those pictures?

2. a pronoun:

Those who couldn't take part in preparations to the match were rested.

Have you seen those taking part in the demonstration being attacted by the police?

'Them' can be:

1. a pronoun in objective case and used as:

a) an indirect object:

I've bought them some food.

I'll lend them my car.

b) a direct object:

I saw them.

I've invited them.

c) as an object of phrasal verbs:

Hand in the papers at the end of the exam.

Hand them in at the end of the exam.

2. a pronoun following the preposition:

I've bought some food for them.

I was travelling with them.

Anonymous · Answer

It seems like those can be used for objets but them is usually used mainly for people.

Rover_KE · Answer

AnonymousIt seems like 'those' can be used for objects but 'them' is usually used mainly for people.

That is an incorrect generalisation.

Anonymous · Answer

Do you like apples? Yes, I do like them.

Waxwing · Answer

Js it correct to say, "I'll have one of them." ? I have been told it should be "I'll have one of those."

Anonymous · Answer

Although it is VERY common usage to say, "I'll have one of them", it would be more proper (in the strictest form ) to say, "I'll have one of those". The best way IMO to find your way is to finish out the sentence. For example, if someone asked you, "Do you like these apples", would you say "Yes, I do like them apples" or "Yes, I do like those apples"?

An above example asserts:

Hand in the papers at the end of the exam.
Hand them in at the end of the exam.

Would you say, "Hand them papers in at the end of the exam" or "Hand those papers in at the end of the exam"? Of course the unchallenged way to say it would be, "Hand your papers in at the end of the exam". :-)

I like Jane Austen and even SHE uses "them" not just for people; point being that usage (usually) makes something acceptable or not. Anyway, just trying to help. NOT trying to start an argument.

Towel green 453 · Answer

Is it 'in them days' or 'in those days'

Those vs Them

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