them

UK: ðem | US: ðem

Definition

  1. pron. the objective case of "they," referring to people, animals, or things previously mentioned

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

Derived from Old Norse þeim, the dative plural of þeir ("they"), which replaced Old English him/heom in Middle English. The word reflects a Norse influence on English grammar during the Viking Age (8th–11th centuries). Its spelling stabilized in Early Modern English as "them," retaining its role as the objective form of "they."

Examples

  1. I gave them the keys yesterday.

  2. She invited them to the party.

  3. The teacher praised them for their hard work.

  4. We saw them at the park last weekend.

  5. Please tell them the meeting starts at 3 PM.