English grammar
It and them for things
Talk about packing, using it and them for things.
From the scene I'm taking it
In short
Once you've named a thing, use it for one and them for more. A thing is it, not he or she.
Your turn
Which one goes with more than one (the boots)?
Options: I'm taking them · I'm taking it · I can't find it (not "her")
Show answer
more than one (the boots) → I'm taking them
How it works
Once you've named a thing, replace it with it (one thing) or them (more than one).
Good to know
The pronoun goes after the verb. A thing is it, never he or she: the scarf → it.
Good to know
Don't leave it out: "I can't find it", not "I can't find".
one thing (the coat) I'm taking it
Nuria
Yes, I'm taking it. It will be very cold there.
Sí, lo llevo. Hará mucho frío allí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank). It will be very cold there.
Options: I'm taking them · I can't find it · I'm taking it
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I'm taking it. It will be very cold there.
Sí, lo llevo. Hará mucho frío allí.
more than one (the boots) I'm taking them
Nuria
I'm taking them too. It will rain a lot.
Las llevo también. Lloverá mucho.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) too. It will rain a lot.
Options: I'm taking them · I'm taking it · I can't find it
Show answer
Nuria
I'm taking them too. It will rain a lot.
Las llevo también. Lloverá mucho.
a thing, never her (the scarf) I can't find it (not "her")
Nuria
Oh, I can't find it.
Ay, no la encuentro.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Oh, (blank).
Options: I'm taking it · I'm taking them · I can't find it
Show answer
Nuria
Oh, I can't find it.
Ay, no la encuentro.
more than one (the gloves) I can't see them
Javi
The gloves... I can't see them anywhere.
Los guantes... no los veo por aquí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
The gloves... (blank) anywhere.
Options: I'm taking it · I'm taking them · I can't see them
Show answer
Javi
The gloves... I can't see them anywhere.
Los guantes... no los veo por aquí.
Common mistake
Not him or them here. The coat — one thing.
Yes, I'm taking it. It will be very cold there.
Sí, lo llevo. Hará mucho frío allí.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| one thing (the coat) | I'm taking it |
|---|---|
| more than one (the boots) | I'm taking them |
| a thing, never her (the scarf) | I can't find it (not "her") |
| more than one (the gloves) | I can't see them |
More lines from the story
- NuriaNever mind. My mum has twenty pairs... and she made them all herself!No importa. Mi madre tiene veinte pares... ¡y los hizo todos ella!
- JaviHere it is. I've got it.Aquí está. La tengo yo.