word choice - What are the grammatical rules for use of "these", "those", and "them"?



I am unclear of the use of [these|those] objects. I am unsure when to use [these|those|them].



Please someone help me tell me which is correct in the previous sentences.


This is not a dupe of What's the difference between "these" and "those"?



Answer



These, those and them may all be used as objects of a sentence or a preposition.


Said when no books are present:



I lost my books. Did you see them?



Said while pointing toward a flock of geese:



I see some geese. Do you see those?



Said while holding a handful of diamonds.



I found some diamonds. Did you see these?



You can also use two of the three as modifiers for nouns:



Did you those geese?


Did you see these diamonds?



But it is ungrammatical to say



Did you see them books?



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