Skip to main content

Personal pronouns: advanced points

Jack and me went; between you and I; us women understand​

We often use object forms in coordinated subjects in informal speech and writing. And I is often used informally in coordinated objects. Some authentic examples from speakers of standard British English:

  • Jack and them are going skiing this weekend.
  • Me and Clio will be coming to see you and Mum on Sunday.
  • Between you and I, I think his marriage is in trouble.
  • Really nice picture of Josh and I taken at the weekend by my friend Joe.
  • Thanks, Andrew – Feb. 23rd is good for both Jack and I.
  • I often think of the old days and how you helped Bertie and I. (letter from Elizabeth, wife of the future King George VI, to King Edward VIII).

Us is sometimes used as a subject together with a noun.

  • Us women understand these things better than you men.

These structures are often condemned as ‘incorrect’, but they have been common in educated speech for centuries. (There are examples of me in coordinated subjects in Jane Austen’s novels, written around 1800.) They are, however, restricted to an informal style. They are not considered correct in formal speech or writing.

as, than, but and except + me or I​

After as and than, object forms are generally used in an informal style.

  • My sister’s nearly as tall as me.
  • I can run faster than her.

In a more formal style, subject forms are used, usually followed by verbs.

  • My sister’s nearly as tall as I am.
  • I can run faster than she can.

But (meaning ‘except’) and except are normally followed by object forms ( (see here), (see here).

  • Everybody except him can come. (not Everybody except he can come.)
  • Nobody but me knew the answer.

It is/was me that … / I who …​

When a relative clause comes after an expression like It is/was me/I, there are two possibilities:

Grammar

object form + that (very informal)

  • It’s me that needs your help.
  • It was him that told the police.
Grammar

subject form + who (very formal)

  • It is I who need your help.
  • It was he who told the police.

We can avoid being too formal or too informal by using a different structure.

  • He was the person / the one who told the police.

Mixed subject and object: It’s for him to decide.​

Sometimes a pronoun can be seen as the object of a verb or preposition, but the subject of a following infinitive or clause. Normally an object form is used in this case.

  • It’s for him to decide. (not It’s for he to decide.)
  • I think it’s a good idea for you and me to meet soon. (Considered more correct than … for you and I to meet soon.)
  • Everything comes to him who waits. (Considered more correct than … to he who waits.)

Inclusive and exclusive we​

Note that we and us can include or exclude the listener or reader. Compare:

  • Shall we go and have a drink? (We includes the listener.)
  • We’re going for a drink. Would you like to come with us? (We and us exclude the listener.)

us meaning ‘me’​

In very informal British speech, us is quite often used instead of me (especially as an indirect object).

  • Give us a kiss, love.

Poor you!​

You can be modified by adjectives in a few informal expressions such as Poor/Clever/Lucky (old) you! (This occasionally happens also with me.)

you: different singular and plural forms​

Although standard modern English uses you for both singular and plural, separate forms exist in certain varieties of English. Some speakers in Yorkshire use thu or tha as a singular subject form and thee as a singular object form. Some British dialects have a separate plural form ye, youse or yiz. Many Americans (and increasingly, British people) use you folks or you guys (to both men and women) as an informal second person plural.

  • Hi, you guys. Listen to this.

In southern US speech there is a second person plural form you all (pronounced y’all), used instead of you when people wish to sound friendly or intimate; there is also a possessive you all’s (pronounced y’all’s).

  • Hi, everybody. How’re you all doing? What are you all’s plans for Thanksgiving?
note

For the older English forms thee and thou, (see here).

he/she who …​

The structure he/she who … (meaning ‘the person who …’) is found in older literature.

  • He who hesitates is sometimes lost.

But this is very unusual in modern English.

  • The person who leaves last should lock the door. or Whoever leaves last … (not He/She who leaves last …)

Politeness​

It is considered polite to use names or noun phrases, rather than he, she or they, to refer to people who are present.

  • ‘Dad said I could go out.’ ‘No, I didn’t.’ (More polite than He said I could go out.)

  • This lady needs an ambulance.

However, pronouns need to be used to avoid repetition (see here).

  • Dad said he didn’t mind … (not Dad said Dad didn’t mind …)

It is considered polite to mention oneself last in double subjects or objects.

  • Why don’t you and I go away for the weekend? (not Why don’t I and you …?)
  • The invitation was for Tracy and me. (More polite than … for me and Tracy.)

Leaving out personal pronouns​

Personal pronouns cannot usually be left out (see here).

  • She loved the picture because it reminded her of home. (not … because reminded her of home.)

However, in informal speech, subject pronouns and/or auxiliary verbs are sometimes left out at the beginning of a sentence. For details of this, (see here).

  • Can’t help you, I’m afraid. (= I can’t …)
  • Seen Oliver? (= Have you seen Oliver?)

We seldom put it after know (see here) for details).

  • ‘It’s getting late.’ ‘I know.’ (not I know it.)

After certain verbs (e.g. believe, think, suppose), we use so rather than it. (For details, (see here).)

  • ‘Is that the manager?’ ‘I believe so.’ (not … I believe (it).)

And in British English, personal pronouns can be dropped after prepositions in descriptive structures with have and with.

  • All the trees have got blossom on (them).
  • He was carrying a box with cups in (it).

Object pronouns are not normally used in infinitive clauses if the object of the infinitive has just been mentioned (see here).

  • She’s easy to please. (not She’s easy to please her.)
  • The pie looked too nice to eat. (not … too nice to eat it.)
  • The bridge wasn’t strong enough to drive over. (not … to drive over it.)
  • This dish takes two hours to prepare.