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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Them being

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"them being" is correct and usable in written English
It is usually used as a subordinate clause to link information together, such as: "The main issue was their decision, them being unaware of the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. REBACK: Them being….

News & Media

TechCrunch

Mr. ARRINGTON: Them being Europe.

News & Media

TechCrunch

It was handy, them being foreign.

News & Media

Independent

We'll block them being transferred.

News & Media

The Guardian

I remember them being worse.

I heard them being shot.

News & Media

The Guardian

With them being mindful is vital.

"So much for them being friends.

News & Media

The Guardian

What's this about them being neighbors?

It doesn't stop them being women".

You can imagine them being your friends.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "them being" to introduce a subordinate clause that explains or provides context for a main statement. For example: "The project was delayed, them being short-staffed."

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "them being" as the main clause of a sentence. It is grammatically incorrect to write "Them being late caused problems", instead, rephrase as "Their lateness caused problems" or "Because they were late, it caused problems."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "them being" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a clause. It typically introduces a reason or explanation, as Ludwig's AI points out, linking information together.

Expression frequency: Rare

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

⚠ Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "them being" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to provide context or justification. As Ludwig's AI indicates, it's effective for linking information in subordinate clauses. While grammatically sound, it leans toward neutral to informal contexts. The analysis of the provided examples suggests that "them being" is versatile, although more common in News & Media sources. When aiming for formal or academic writing, consider alternative phrases such as "the fact that they are" or "their existence" for greater clarity and precision.

FAQs

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

"Them being" is typically used in subordinate clauses to provide additional information or context. For example: "We understood their frustration, "them being" new to the process."

What phrases are similar to "them being"?

Alternatives include "the fact that they are", "their existence", or "their presence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of "We helped "them being" new", you could say "We helped due to the fact that they were new".

Is it ever incorrect to use "them being"?

Yes, it is incorrect to use "them being" as a main clause. For example, avoid sentences like "Them being tired, they made mistakes." Instead, use "Because they were tired, they made mistakes."

What's the difference between "them being" and "they are"?

"Them being" is a gerund phrase often used in subordinate clauses, while "they are" is a main clause construction. "Them being unavailable, we postponed the meeting" is grammatically different from "Because they are unavailable, we postponed the meeting", but they convey similar meanings.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: