IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding and Using ‘Them’ Correctly
Learn about the pronoun ‘them’ in this IELTS vocabulary lesson. Discover its meaning, usage, and common mistakes to avoid. Improve your English skills with practical examples and tips for using ‘them’ in sentences.
Welcome to our IELTS vocabulary lesson. Today, we’re going to learn about the word “them”. This small but important word is used very often in English, so understanding it well can really help improve your language skills.
Word type: Them is a pronoun. Pronouns are words we use to replace nouns in sentences.
Meaning: Them is used to refer to a group of people, animals, or things that have already been mentioned or are easily understood from the context.
It’s the object form of “they”.
Word history: The word “them” comes from Old Norse “theim”. It entered the English language during the Viking invasions of England over a thousand years ago.
Antonyms: There aren’t direct antonyms for “them”, but we can contrast it with other pronouns like “us”, “you”, or “it”.
Synonyms: While not exact synonyms, words like “those people” or “that group” can sometimes be used instead of “them”.
Examples use in sentences: Here are some examples of how to use “them” in sentences: I saw my friends yesterday and gave them their birthday presents.
The books were on the table, so I picked them up and put them on the shelf. My parents are coming to visit.
I’m excited to see them. Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing “them” with “they”. Remember, “them” is used as an object in a sentence, while “they” is used as a subject.
For example, we say “They are coming to the party” but “I invited them to the party”. Another error is using “them” when talking about a single person of unknown gender.
In formal English, it’s better to say “him or her” in this case. To wrap up, “them” is a crucial pronoun in English that refers to a group already mentioned.
Practice using it in your speaking and writing, paying attention to whether it’s in the object position in your sentences.
With regular use, you’ll find it becomes natural and helps your English flow more smoothly.
