Q.
I am having an argument with a co-worker ( actually it has turned into a bet so money is on the line!)
Regarding a stack of t-shirts I said "These are they" at which he laughed and said no, these are them. His wife who is a linguist said that I am wrong but my mother says that I am correct. Do I have to buy him lunch?
Please let me know. Thank you so much.
A.
"Are" is a linking verb. The pronoun that follows a linking verb must be in the nominative case (they, not them).
Enjoy your lunch.
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