them

Them is the object form of the English pronoun they. It functions as the third-person plural object pronoun, as in I saw them, and as an indirect object or after a preposition, as in I spoke to them. The corresponding subject form is they, and the possessive determiner and pronoun are their and theirs. In standard usage, them is not a determiner and does not modify a noun directly; rather, it serves as a pronoun referring to people or entities.

Usage of they/them/their extends to both plural and singular contexts. They is used as a gender-neutral subject pronoun for a person or people whose gender is unknown or unspecified, or for individuals who identify outside the gender binary. In such cases, the object form is them, as in If anyone calls, tell them I will be late. The possessive forms are their and theirs, while reflexive forms are themselves, with some individuals also using themself as an alternative reflexive for singular antecedents.

Historically, singular they and its related forms have appeared in English since the Middle Ages, becoming increasingly common in modern times. Many contemporary style guides endorse singular they as inclusive and practical for referring to a person without assuming gender. While some prescriptive traditions caution against nonstandard usage, singular they and its object form them are widely accepted in standard written and spoken English, reflecting shifts toward gender-inclusive language.