are them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are them" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is typically incorrect because "are" is a verb that requires a subject, while "them" is an object pronoun. Example: "They are them" is incorrect; it should be "They are" or "Those are them."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"They were us, we are them".

The New Yorker

They are you; you are them.

The Guardian

They are us; we are them.

The New York Times - Arts

"Where in the hell are them engines?" he demanded.

The New Yorker

If ever there were three words that don't go together, those are them.

The New Yorker

"I guess these are them," I said when we finally arrived.

The New York Times

That's why they love the Steelers so much: the Steelers are them.

The New York Times - Magazine

He builds them in his studio, and they are them photographed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

What has been very eye-opening to me is the concept of 'us versus them' - until 'they' come through the Homeless Rock Stars doors 'they' are 'them' but the moment 'they' come in, 'they' are 'us' and the division is instantly gone, and it stays that way.

Huffington Post

The recipients of healthcare are seen as 'us' and the recipients of social care are 'them'them

The Guardian

It applies to all groups and minorities, we are 'us' and they are 'them.' This is Social Identity Theory, and it is essential to our understandings of ourselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When constructing sentences, ensure that the verb "are" is followed by a noun or pronoun in the nominative case (e.g., "they are") or a demonstrative adjective + noun (e.g. "these are the keys").

Common error

Avoid using the objective pronoun "them" directly after the verb "are". This is a common grammatical error. Instead, use "they are" or rephrase the sentence to use a demonstrative adjective such as "these" or "those".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are them" primarily functions as an incorrect attempt to link a plural verb with an objective pronoun. Ludwig AI identifies that while examples exist, they often deviate from standard grammatical conventions. The proper construction typically involves a subject pronoun ("they") or a demonstrative adjective ("those", "these").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase “are them” appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's more common in informal contexts and dialects. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, replace “are them” with phrases like "are those", "are these", or "they are", depending on the intended meaning and context. Paying attention to grammatical correctness enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are those

Replaces the pronoun "them" with the demonstrative adjective "those", creating a grammatically correct phrase.

are these

Replaces "them" with the demonstrative adjective "these", resulting in a grammatically sound alternative.

those are

Inverts the structure to emphasize the identity of the items being referred to.

these are

Similar to "those are", but refers to items closer in proximity or time.

where are they

Transforms the statement into a question seeking the location of the referenced items or people.

what are they

Shifts the focus to inquiring about the nature or identity of the referenced items or people.

they are

Corrects the word order to form a basic declarative sentence.

it is them

Emphasizes the identification of a group or individuals.

those would be them

Uses a conditional tone to identify entities with uncertainty.

that is them

Similar to "it is them", but singular, pointing at a distant or distinct individual or group.

FAQs

How do I correct the phrase "are them" in a sentence?

Replace "are them" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "are those" or "are these" depending on the context.

What's the difference between saying "are those" and "are them"?

The phrase "are those" is grammatically correct and uses a demonstrative adjective. "Are them" is generally considered incorrect in standard English, as "them" is an objective pronoun and doesn't fit the sentence structure.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "are them"?

While sometimes found in non-standard dialects, "are them" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's advisable to use "they are" or rephrase using "those are".

What can I say instead of "where are them"?

The correct phrasing is "where "are they"?"