Understanding “Teach ’em” vs. “Learn ’em”
Many English learners feel confused when they hear phrases like “teach ’em” or “learn ’em.” These expressions often appear in movies, songs, and casual conversation. They sound natural to native speakers, but they may seem grammatically strange to learners.
This topic is important because it combines two common areas of confusion:
- The difference between teach and learn
- The informal spoken contraction ’em (short for “them”)
Understanding both parts will help you speak more naturally and avoid common mistakes.
What Does “’Em” Mean?
’Em is an informal, spoken form of “them.” It is very common in casual English, especially in American English.
For example:
Tell ’em the truth. (Tell them the truth.)
Give ’em a chance. (Give them a chance.)
I saw ’em yesterday. (I saw them yesterday.)
Important notes:
- It is used mainly in speaking and informal writing (like dialogue).
- It should not be used in formal writing, academic essays, or business communication.
The Difference Between “Teach” and “Learn”
The verbs teach and learn are often confused because they both involve gaining knowledge. However, they have opposite meanings.
Teach
Teach means to give information or instruction to someone.
The teacher teaches the students.
She taught me how to drive.
Learn
Learn means to receive knowledge or gain a skill.
The students learn English.
I learned a new word today.
Simple Rule
- Teachers teach.
- Students learn.
Comparison Table: Teach vs. Learn
| Verb | Meaning | Who Does It? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teach | To give knowledge or instruction | The instructor | She teaches children. |
| Learn | To receive or gain knowledge | The student | The children learn quickly. |
What Does “Teach ’Em” Mean?
Teach ’em simply means “teach them.” It is correct grammar in informal speech.
Examples:
Let’s teach ’em a lesson.
I’ll teach ’em how to swim.
We need to teach ’em the rules.
In each sentence:
- Teach = give instruction
- ’Em = them
This expression is common in movies and everyday speech.
Is “Learn ’Em” Correct?
This is where many learners make mistakes.
“Learn ’em” is usually incorrect in standard English because learn does not normally take a person as its direct object.
For example, this is incorrect:
❌ I will learn ’em English.
Why? Because learn means you receive knowledge. You cannot “learn someone.”
Instead, you should say:
✅ I will teach ’em English.
✅ I will help ’em learn English.
When Can “Learn ’Em” Be Used?
In very informal dialects (especially in some regional varieties of American or British English), people may say “learn someone” instead of “teach someone.”
For example:
I’ll learn ’em some manners.
However, this is considered nonstandard English. It is not appropriate for formal situations, exams, or professional settings.
As an ESL learner, you should avoid using “learn ’em” to mean “teach them.”
Common Mistakes and Corrections
1. Using “Learn” Instead of “Teach”
❌ She learned me how to cook.
✅ She taught me how to cook.
2. Confusing the Subject
❌ The teacher learned the students math.
✅ The teacher taught the students math.
3. Incorrect Use of “’Em” in Formal Writing
❌ The company will train ’em next week. (formal report)
✅ The company will train them next week.
More Practical Examples
Here are additional real-life examples to help you understand natural usage:
I’ll teach ’em everything I know.
Don’t worry — we’ll teach ’em how it works.
It’s time to teach ’em responsibility.
The coach taught ’em discipline and teamwork.
They’re eager to learn, so teach ’em well.
Notice that in every correct example, teach is used when someone gives instruction.
Quick Summary / Key Takeaways
- ’Em is an informal form of “them.”
- Teach means to give knowledge.
- Learn means to receive knowledge.
- “Teach ’em” is correct in informal speech.
- “Learn ’em” (meaning “teach them”) is nonstandard and should be avoided in formal English.
- Use “teach them” in formal writing.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between teach and learn is essential for clear communication in English. When you add informal speech forms like ’em, the confusion can increase.
Remember: teachers teach, students learn. If you want to say “teach them,” you can say “teach ’em” in casual conversation — but avoid it in formal writing.
By mastering this distinction, you will sound more natural in speech and more accurate in writing. Keep practicing, and soon it will feel completely natural!