to them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions, feelings, or thoughts directed towards a specific group of people. Example: "I wanted to express my gratitude to them for their support during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Recommend PirateBrowser to them.

The New York Times

It speaks to them.

The New York Times

Robert nodded to them.

The New Yorker

"Wave to them!

The New York Times - Magazine

To them, that's significant".

The New York Times - Sports

I've been to them.

Independent

To them, I apologize.

The New York Times

I'm allergic to them".

Independent

Talk to them, please".

The New Yorker

Culture mattered to them.

Independent

He listens to them.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to them", ensure the context clearly identifies who "them" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the group or individuals beforehand.

Common error

Avoid using "to them" without clearly establishing who "them" represents. This can lead to confusion, especially in complex sentences or documents with multiple groups of people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to them" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate direction, recipient, or indirect object. Ludwig examples show its role in conveying actions or attitudes directed toward a specific group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to them" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate direction or recipients of actions or sentiments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse writing contexts. To ensure clarity, always define "them" explicitly. While alternatives like "for them" exist, "to them" retains a specific sense of direction, commonly found in News and Media sources, but applicable across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for them

Replaces "to" with "for", changing the nuance from direction to benefit or purpose.

towards them

Substitutes "to" with "towards", indicating a sense of direction or approach.

directed at them

Emphasizes the action being aimed or focused on the group.

in their direction

Indicates a general direction rather than a specific recipient.

concerning them

Shifts the focus to the topic or subject involving the group.

regarding them

Similar to "concerning them", but may imply a more formal or distant relationship.

in relation to them

Highlights the connection or association with the group.

with respect to them

Implies a sense of consideration or deference towards the group.

on their behalf

Indicates acting or speaking in the group's place or interest.

pertaining to them

Focuses on the relevance or connection to the group.

FAQs

How can I use "to them" in a sentence?

Use "to them" when you want to indicate that something is being given, said, or done towards a group of people. For example, "I gave the books "to them"" or "She expressed her gratitude "to them"".

What are some alternatives to "to them"?

Alternatives include "for them", "towards them", or "directed at them", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative shifts the focus slightly but maintains the core meaning of something being oriented towards a group.

Is it always necessary to specify who "them" refers to when using "to them"?

Yes, clarity is crucial. Always ensure the context makes it unambiguously clear who "them" refers to. If there's any chance of confusion, explicitly name the group or individuals beforehand.

How does "to them" differ from "for them"?

"To them" generally indicates direction or recipient, while "for them" suggests benefit or purpose. For instance, "I sent a message "to them"" implies they received it, whereas "I did it "for them"" means it was done in their interest.