them two, those two, the two of them
- Thread starter reenkam
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
Both "those two" and "the two of them" are correct. I like "the two of them" better for no apparent reason.
Correct: (with some slight variations in meaning)
In 'between them two', 'two' is the object of the preposition and 'them' is incorrectly attempting to modify 'two'. (Which two? Them two!)
ETA: I agree with IceCream -- I have a slight preference for 'them' or 'the two of them'. While correct, 'these/those two' feels just a touch more casual or colloquial.
between them
between the two of them
between those two
between these two
Wrong:between the two of them
between those two
between these two
between them two
In 'between them', 'them' is the object of the preposition, so must be objective case.
In 'between them two', 'two' is the object of the preposition and 'them' is incorrectly attempting to modify 'two'. (Which two? Them two!)
ETA: I agree with IceCream -- I have a slight preference for 'them' or 'the two of them'. While correct, 'these/those two' feels just a touch more casual or colloquial.
Last edited:
ErylRavenwell
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Messages
- 852
- Reaction score
- 166
"Between" always implies two persons, things etc. Unless in dialogue (for emphasis), "them" should suffice while "those two" is redundant.
Last edited:
- Status