Many English learners ask, is this correct? are them your shoes? The short answer is no. The sentence is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct sentence is:
Are those your shoes?
You can also say:
Are these your shoes?
The difference depends on where the shoes are. Use these when the shoes are near you. Use those when the shoes are farther away. The word them is not correct in this question because “them” is an object pronoun, not the right word to point to something in this sentence.
This article explains why “are them your shoes?” is incorrect, what you should say instead, and how to use “these,” “those,” and “them” correctly in everyday English.
Is “Are Them Your Shoes?” Correct?
No, “Are them your shoes?” is not correct.
The correct sentence is:
Are those your shoes?
Or, if the shoes are close to you:
Are these your shoes?
The mistake happens because “them” is being used in the wrong position. In English, we do not normally use “them” as the subject of a sentence or question. In this question, you need a word that points to the shoes. That is why these or those is correct.
Why Is “Are Them Your Shoes?” Wrong?
The sentence is wrong because them is an object pronoun. Object pronouns usually receive the action in a sentence.
For example:
I saw them.
She called them.
He gave them the keys.
In these examples, “them” receives the action. But in the question “Are them your shoes?” the word is being used to identify or point to the shoes. That is not the correct job of “them.”
Instead, you should use these or those because they are demonstrative pronouns. Demonstrative pronouns help us point to people, places, or things.
What Is the Correct Sentence?
The correct sentence depends on where the shoes are.
Use:
Are these your shoes?
When the shoes are near you.
Use:
Are those your shoes?
When the shoes are farther away from you.
For example, if the shoes are beside you, you can ask, “Are these your shoes?” If the shoes are across the room, near the door, or beside another person, you can ask, “Are those your shoes?”
When Should You Use “These”?
Use these for plural things that are close to you.
Examples:
Are these your shoes?
Are these your books?
Are these your keys?
Are these your bags?
Are these your glasses?
In all these sentences, the objects are plural and near the speaker. “These” is the plural form of “this.”
You can think of it like this:
This = one thing near you.
These = more than one thing near you.
So, if you are holding a pair of shoes or standing next to them, “these” is the better choice.
When Should You Use “Those”?
Use those for plural things that are farther away from you.
Examples:
Are those your shoes?
Are those your friends?
Are those your bags near the door?
Are those your books on the table?
Are those your keys over there?
“Those” is the plural form of “that.”
You can remember it like this:
That = one thing far from you.
Those = more than one thing far from you.
So, if the shoes are not close to you, “those” is the better word.
When Should You Use “Them”?
Use them when the word receives an action or comes after a preposition. “Them” can refer to people, animals, or things, but it usually comes after a verb or preposition.
Examples:
I saw them near the door.
Please give them to me.
I bought them yesterday.
She cleaned them this morning.
Put them under the table.
In these sentences, “them” refers to plural objects or people already known to the listener. For example, “I bought them yesterday” could mean “I bought the shoes yesterday.” But you cannot say, “Are them your shoes?” because the sentence needs “these” or “those,” not “them.”
What Is the Difference Between “Those” and “Them”?
The difference is simple.
Those is used to point to plural things or people.
Example:
Are those your shoes?
Them is used as an object after a verb or preposition.
Example:
I like them.
Here is another comparison:
Correct: Are those your shoes?
Correct: I like them.
Incorrect: Are them your shoes?
Incorrect: I like those, if you mean “I like them” in a general object-pronoun sentence.
However, “I like those” can be correct if you are pointing to specific shoes, clothes, or objects. For example, in a store, you can point at a pair of shoes and say, “I like those.”
Can You Say “Are They Your Shoes?”
Yes, “Are they your shoes?” is also correct, but it sounds slightly different.
“Are they your shoes?” uses they as the subject pronoun. It is correct when both the speaker and listener already know what “they” refers to.
Example:
A: I found some shoes near the door.
B: Are they your shoes?
This is correct because “they” refers to the shoes already mentioned.
But if you are pointing to shoes for the first time, it is more natural to say:
Are those your shoes?
Or:
Are these your shoes?
Common Mistakes with “Them,” “These,” and “Those”
English learners often confuse these words because they all refer to plural things. The key is to understand their role in the sentence.
Incorrect:
Are them your shoes?
Correct:
Are those your shoes?
Incorrect:
Them are my books.
Correct:
Those are my books.
Incorrect:
I saw those yesterday.
Correct:
I saw them yesterday.
But remember, “I saw those yesterday” can be correct if you are pointing to specific items. In general grammar practice, “them” is usually the better object pronoun after a verb.
Easy Rule to Remember
Use these when the things are near you.
Use those when the things are farther away.
Use them after a verb or preposition.
Examples:
Are these your shoes?
The shoes are near me.
Are those your shoes?
The shoes are over there.
I bought them yesterday.
“Them” receives the action.
I gave them to my brother.
“Them” comes after the verb “gave.”
More Correct Example Sentences
Here are more examples to help you understand the correct usage:
Are these your shoes near the sofa?
Are those your shoes by the door?
Are those your sneakers on the floor?
Are these your sandals?
Are they your shoes, or are they mine?
I found them outside.
Please put them in the closet.
I cleaned them this morning.
These are my shoes.
Those are not my shoes.
By reading these examples, you can see that “these” and “those” are used to identify things, while “them” is used after an action or preposition.
Final Answer: Is “Are Them Your Shoes?” Correct?
No, “Are them your shoes?” is not correct in standard English.
The correct sentence is:
Are those your shoes?
Use “Are these your shoes?” if the shoes are close to you. Use “Are those your shoes?” if the shoes are farther away. Use them only when it works as an object, such as “I saw them,” “I bought them,” or “Please move them.”
So, if you are asking about a pair of shoes, the best and most natural sentence is:
Are those your shoes?
