them alone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "them alone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that only a specific group or individuals are being referred to, without including anyone else. Example: "I trust them alone to handle this sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prior left them alone.

Independent

It left them alone.

The New Yorker

"Leave them alone," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Leave them alone," she said.

The New York Times

I just leave them alone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, just leave them alone.

The New York Times

His prescription: Leave them alone!

The New York Times - Arts

Otherwise, please leave them alone.

The New York Times

"I left them alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Leave them alone, Waldemar.

The Guardian - Arts

It's not them alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "them alone" to clearly specify that you are referring to a particular group and no one else. This can help avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "them alone" when you mean to say "they are lonely" or "they are by themselves". The phrase "them alone" refers to a deliberate selection or focus on a specific group, not a state of solitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "them alone" primarily functions as an object with emphasis, highlighting a specific group to the exclusion of others. Ludwig's examples show it used to denote those who are specifically left undisturbed or are uniquely responsible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

24%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

The New Yorker

1%

The Economist

1%

TechCrunch

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "them alone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize a particular group while excluding others, with the main objective of conveying exclusivity. While adaptable across a range of contexts, "them alone" is especially common in news reporting and instructional guides. Remember to use "them alone" when you want to denote a specific group to the exclusion of others and not when describing someone being in solitude. Consider alternatives such as "only them" or "just them" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only them

Focuses on exclusivity, emphasizing that no one else is included.

just them

Similar to 'only them', highlighting the selectiveness of the group.

them solely

Indicates that no other party is involved or affected.

them exclusively

Stresses that the focus or attention is solely on them.

themselves only

Emphasizes that they are acting without assistance.

by themselves

Highlights their independence and lack of external help.

them singularly

Implies that they are being considered or treated individually.

them independently

Emphasizes their autonomy and self-reliance.

them uniquely

Highlights the special or distinct nature of their situation.

them unassisted

Focuses on the lack of support or aid they receive.

FAQs

How to use "them alone" in a sentence?

You can use "them alone" to emphasize that only a specific group or individuals are being referred to, without including anyone else. For example: "I trust "them alone" to handle this sensitive information."

What can I say instead of "them alone"?

You can use alternatives like "only them", "just them", or "themselves only" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "them alone" or "they alone"?

"Them alone" is correct when "them" is used as an object. "They alone" would be used when "they" is the subject. For example: "I trust "them alone"" vs. "They alone can solve this problem."

What's the difference between "them alone" and "by themselves"?

"Them alone" implies exclusivity or a deliberate choice to focus on a specific group. "By themselves" refers to the state of being without others or without assistance. While there can be some overlap, the emphasis is different.