Them vs. Their — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
"Them" is a pronoun referring to specific people or things, while "Their" is a possessive adjective indicating ownership by the people or things previously mentioned.
Difference Between Them and Their
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Them" is an object pronoun used to represent specific people or things, whereas "Their" is a possessive adjective that signifies ownership. For example, "I saw them at the park" contrasts with "Their dog is adorable."
"Them" typically appears after a verb or preposition to indicate whom the action is directed towards. "Their", on the other hand, appears before a noun, indicating that the noun belongs to them. An example being, "I gave the book to them" versus "I borrowed their book."
When referring to a group of people, "Them" can be used to represent that group in a sentence. In contrast, "Their" is used to show something that the group possesses. As in, "The students presented their projects today. I was impressed with them."
The use of "Them" is to replace the names of people or things in a sentence, thus avoiding redundancy. "Their" replaces the more cumbersome "of them" to show possession. For instance, instead of saying "the opinions of them are varied," one would say "their opinions are varied." On the other hand, to avoid repeatedly mentioning names, one might say, "I spoke to Jane and Paul and gave them the tickets," instead of "I spoke to Jane and Paul and gave Jane and Paul the tickets."
It's essential to understand the distinction between "Them" and "Their" to ensure clarity in communication. Misusing "Them" and "Their" can lead to confusion. For instance, saying "I met them shoes at the store" doesn't make sense, but "I met their shoes at the store" indicates you're talking about someone's shoes, albeit still an odd sentence.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Object Pronoun
Possessive Adjective
Usage
After a verb or preposition
Before a noun
Function
Represents specific people or things
Shows possession of people or things
Example 1
I gave it to them.
Their car is fast.
Example 2
You should ask them.
I love their sense of humor.
Compare with Definitions
Them
Object pronoun replacing specific individuals or things.
I saw them at the store.
Their
Replaces "of them" to show ownership.
Their opinions on the topic are well-known.
Them
Appears after verbs or prepositions.
I passed the gifts to them.
Their
Indicates something belongs to the people or things previously mentioned.
The students completed their assignments.
Them
Represents a known group or entities previously mentioned.
We need to contact them about the changes.
Their
Used to refer to people in general.
Everyone has their own way of doing things.
Them
Used to avoid redundancy in a sentence.
I told Jane and Bob; they assured them it was okay.
Their
Used before nouns to show possession.
Their answer was correct.
Them
Those
"Them dogs will find the end of them footprints before ten o'clock" (William Faulkner).
Their
Possessive adjective indicating ownership.
Their house is on the next street.
Them
(in the plural) Those ones.
Their
Used as a modifier before a noun
The politicians boasted of their accomplishments. “It is fatal for anyone who writes to think of their sex” (Virginia Woolf). See Usage Notes at he1, they.
Them
Used as the direct object of a verb.
She treated them for a cold.
Their
Belonging to, from, of, or relating to, them (plural).
They will meet tomorrow at their convenience
This is probably their cat
Them
Used as the indirect object of a verb.
She wrote them a letter.
Their
Belonging to someone (one person, singular).
Them
Used as the object of a preposition.
Give it to them.
Their
The possessive case of the personal pronoun they; as, their houses; their country.
Nothing but the name of zeal appears'Twixt our best actions and the worst of theirs.
Them
(in the singular) A single person, previously mentioned, especially if of unknown or non-binary gender.
Them
Used as the direct object of a verb.
If a student has an inappropriate question, whatever you do, do not berate them.
Them
Used as the indirect object of a verb.
If one of my patients calls, please bring them their dinner.
Them
Used as the object of a preposition.
If someone comes and asks for the ticket, just give it to them.
Them
(dialectal) Those.
Them
The objective case of they. See They.
Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father.
Little stars may hide them when they list.
Them
Used to indicate a group indirectly.
I invited the whole class, hoping to see them there.
Common Curiosities
Which word indicates ownership: "Them" or "Their"?
"Their" indicates ownership.
What part of speech is "Them"?
"Them" is an object pronoun.
Is "Their" singular or plural?
"Their" is traditionally plural, but it can also be used as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun.
Can "Their" be used to indicate possession?
Yes, "Their" is a possessive adjective indicating ownership.
In the sentence "I gave them the book," what role does "Them" play?
"Them" is the indirect object receiving the book.
If I'm talking about John and Jane's dog, which word should I use?
You would say, "Their dog is cute."
Is "Them" used before or after verbs?
"Them" is typically used after verbs or prepositions.
Can "Their" replace the phrase "of them"?
Yes, "Their" is used to show possession, effectively replacing "of them".
When talking about a group of people, which word would indicate the group itself?
"Them" would represent the group itself.
Can "Their" appear without a following noun?
No, "Their" usually appears before a noun to indicate possession.
Can "Them" be used as a subject in a sentence?
No, "Them" is an object pronoun. You would use "They" as a subject.
In "She told them a secret," is "Them" receiving the action or performing it?
"Them" is receiving the action; they are the ones being told the secret.
How can "Their" be used in a sentence referring to people in general?
An example is: "Everyone has their own preferences."
Which word would fit: "I returned _____ book"?
The correct word is "their": "I returned their book."
Can "Their" refer to inanimate objects?
Yes, if the objects are possessed by someone or something: "The companies merged, integrating their resources."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
