2

My younger sister is reviewing for an upcoming exam using quia, which her teacher suggested.

She ran across the following question:

Help me carry _______ boxes into the house.

The options are 'those' and 'them.' The service indicates that the correct answer is 'them,' which is utterly baffling to me. I am not particularly great with grammar, but I don't think this can be right -- it is nearly painful to my ears.

What is the correct answer? If it is 'them,' then what is the explanation.

2
  • 1
    Like, what, were them boxes too heavy for one person to carry? :) . . . Then again, if them there boxes lie on the lawn too long, they tend to start walking themselves away, which ain't a good thing.
    – F.E.
    Jun 15, 2014 at 2:44
  • 2
    @F.E. Puh-leeze. In that register it's lay, not lie. Jun 15, 2014 at 2:56

1 Answer 1

2

The OED says that using them as a demonstrative adjective — as though it were modern those — is now considered passé:

III. 5. As demonstr. adj. = those. Now only dial. or illiterate.

Therefore, under all reasonable scenarios, that was the wrong answer.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.