some of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some of them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have mentioned a group of people or things and you want to discuss a subset of the group. For example, "I spoke to many people yesterday, and some of them were very interested in my offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of them have.

Independent

Mentions some of them.

The New Yorker

Some of them, maybe.

Independent

Some of them follow.

The New York Times

Some of them work.

Independent

Some of them didn't.

The New York Times

Some of them did.

The New York Times

Some of them savage.

Independent

Describes some of them.

The New Yorker

Some of them bulged.

The New Yorker

Some of them don't listen!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is important, consider using more specific quantifiers (e.g., "a few", "several", "many") instead of "some of them".

Common error

Avoid using "some of them" without a clear antecedent. Always make sure the reader knows exactly which group "them" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some of them" functions as a partitive pronoun phrase, referring to a portion of a previously identified group. This allows for specific statements about a subset without explicitly naming each member. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some of them" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a portion of a previously mentioned group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile, fitting comfortably in neutral registers, particularly within News and Media. For increased precision, consider alternatives like "a few of them" or "several of them". Remember to ensure the antecedent of "them" is always clear to avoid any ambiguity. While “some of them” is widely accepted, prioritizing clarity and context will ensure your writing is both accurate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not all of them

Focuses on the exclusion of some members from a broader statement.

just some of them

Highlights the fact that it's not a large portion.

a few of them

Emphasizes a smaller quantity within the group.

only a few of them

Stresses the limited number of individuals or items involved.

several of them

Suggests a moderate number, more than "a few" but not many.

certain ones

Highlights specific, identifiable members of the group.

a section of them

Implies a distinct subgroup within the overall group.

a proportion of them

Indicates a specific ratio or percentage within the group.

selected members

Implies there was a selection/distinction.

various individuals

Highlights the distinct nature of the referred subjects.

FAQs

How do I use "some of them" in a sentence?

"Some of them" is used to refer to a portion of a previously mentioned group. For example, "I invited ten friends, but "some of them" couldn't make it".

What's a more formal alternative to "some of them"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a portion of them" or "a selection of them" for increased precision and formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "some of them"?

While generally correct, using "some of them" can be ambiguous if the group being referenced isn't clear. Ensure the context makes the referent obvious.

What is the difference between ""some of them"" and "all of them"?

"Some of them" indicates a part of a group, while "all of them" refers to the entire group without exception. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a subset or the whole.