'Them (Then)' at sentence start

Quick answer

No-starting a standard sentence with "Them" in place of "Then" is usually wrong. "Then" is the adverb that signals sequence or time; "them" is an object pronoun.

Use "Then" to show order: "Then we went to the park."
Starting a sentence with "Them" will look like a typo or nonstandard speech in edited English.

Then we went, Them we went, or something else?

Write "then" as a single word when you mean "after that" or "next." "Them" refers to people or things already mentioned and does not indicate sequence.

In casual dialects or stylized dialogue you might see "Them" used unusually, but in professional and academic writing stick with "then."

"Then" = order/time (standard): Then we checked the results.
"Them" = object pronoun (standard): We called them yesterday.

Why writers make this mistake

Errors like this usually come from how speech sounds, not from how words look on the page. When you draft quickly or edit without rereading, similar-sounding words get swapped.

Sound-based guessing (hearing "then" as "them")
Typing fast and not proofreading
Overcorrecting nearby words or misreading context

How "then" looks in real writing

Seeing natural examples helps you spot the error. Below are everyday uses that keep the sequence clear.

Work: We finished the prototype. Then we asked the client for feedback.
Work: Upload the data, then run the validation script.
Work: The meeting ended early; then we distributed the minutes.
School: Read chapter two, then summarize the main points.
School: We reviewed the proofs, then submitted the final draft.
School: First solve the example, then try the exercises on your own.
Casual: I finished dinner, then I called you.
Casual: We packed the bags, then we left for the airport.
Casual: He apologized, then everyone relaxed.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

These pairs show the exact correction. Copying them into your drafts helps train your eye.

Wrong: Them we went to the park. -
Right: Then we went to the park.
Wrong: Them we finished the audit. -
Right: Then we finished the audit.
Wrong: Them we reviewed chapters one and two. -
Right: Then we reviewed chapters one and two.
Wrong: Them we called the supplier. -
Right: Then we called the supplier.
Wrong: Them I realized the mistake. -
Right: Then I realized the mistake.
Wrong: Them the lights went out. -
Right: Then the lights went out.

How to fix your own sentence

Fixing this mistake usually means replacing "Them" with "Then" and checking the sentence flow. Sometimes a small rewrite is cleaner than a straight swap.

Step 1: Identify if you mean order/time (use "then") or an object/pronoun (use "them").
Step 2: Replace the word and read the sentence aloud.
Step 3: If it still sounds awkward, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Rewrite:
Original: Them we went over the list again. -
Rewrite: Then we went over the list again.
Rewrite:
Original: Them we submitted the forms late. -
Rewrite: We submitted the forms late, then followed up.
Rewrite:
Original: Them I noticed the typo. -
Rewrite: Then I noticed the typo.

A simple memory trick

Train the meaning, not the sound. When you want to show sequence, picture "then" as a single step in a timeline.

Associate "then" with "after" or "next."
When you hear the sentence in your head, ask: am I placing events in order?
Run a quick search of your draft for capitalized "Them" at sentence starts and fix in bulk.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Once spacing or form errors slip in, nearby words often suffer the same fate. Watch for these patterns.

Split words that should be closed (e.g., "alot" vs "a lot")
Hyphen confusion (re-do vs redo)
Using object pronouns where subject pronouns belong
Swapping words that sound alike but have different functions

FAQ

Is "Them we went" ever correct?

Not in standard edited English. It reads as a typo or nonstandard speech. Use "Then we went" for sequence.

Could "Them" ever start a sentence legitimately?

Only in dialect, stylized dialogue, or certain colloquial phrases. For formal writing, avoid it as a sentence starter.

How can I check whether to use "then" or "them"?

Insert the word into the full sentence and read for meaning: does the sentence place events in order? If so, use "then."

Will spellcheck catch this?

Not reliably. Spellcheck flags misspellings but rarely flags word-choice errors where both words are valid dictionary entries.

Any quick proofreading habit to catch this?

Read each sentence aloud or read backward from the sentence start; hearing the sequence often reveals the wrong choice.

Check the whole sentence before you send it

Small word swaps change meaning. Replace "Them" with "Then" when you mean sequence, read the sentence in context, and rewrite if something still sounds off.