TH-Dropping in "them"
When "them" becomes "'em"
What is it?
In casual speech, "them" loses its /ð/ sound and becomes "'em" [əm]. This is extremely common in everyday conversation.
tell them
→
/tɛl ðɛm/
→
[tɛl əm]
This is why "tell them" sounds like "tell 'em" and "give them" sounds like "give 'em".
When does it happen?
TH-dropping in "them" occurs when:
- Word is unstressed — part of the natural flow of speech
- In casual/fast speech — very common in everyday conversation
**Note:** Often written as **'em** in informal writing: "Tell 'em I said hi!"
Examples
| Phrase | Phonemic | Phonetic |
|---|
| tell them | /tɛl ðɛm/ | [tɛl əm] |
| give them | /ɡɪv ðɛm/ | [ɡɪv əm] |
| ask them | /æsk ðɛm/ | [æsk əm] |
| get them | /ɡɛt ðɛm/ | [ɡɛɾ əm] |
| let them | /lɛt ðɛm/ | [lɛɾ əm] |
**Notice:** In "get them" and "let them", you also get [flapping](/rules/flapping/)! Once the TH is deleted, the T is now before a vowel, so it becomes a flap [ɾ].
Exceptions
- Emphatic: "Tell THEM, not us!" — TH is pronounced when stressed
- Careful speech: In formal contexts, speakers may retain the /ð/
Related rules
- H-Dropping — similar pattern with him/her/his → 'im/'er/'is
- Flap T/D — applies after TH is deleted in "get them", "let them"