Pronoun Agreement, Subject and Object Pronouns
Jared Aragona
Pronoun agreement, subject and object pronouns: Subject pronouns function as subjects in a sentence. Object pronouns function as the object of a verb or of a preposition.
Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns
I/We Me/Us
You You
He/She/It/They Him/Her/It/Them
The extra credit will go to you and I. (Incorrect)
The extra credit will go to you and me. (Correct)
Subject Object
I would like he to help with the garden. (Incorrect)
I would like him to help with the garden. (Correct)
Subject Object
When multiple nouns are used in the subject or object position, remove all but the pronoun as way to more clearly see which pronoun is correct.
Fred, Bill, Steve and me are going to have the turkey dinner. (Incorrect)
Me is going to have the turkey dinner. (See how it’s Incorrect)
Fred, Bill, Steve, and I are going to have the turkey dinner. (Correct)
I am going to have the turkey dinner. (Correct)
Prizes for best sweater were given to Fran, Janet, and I. (Incorrect)
Prizes for the best sweater were given to I. (See how it’s Incorrect)
Prizes for best sweater were given to Fran, Janet, and me. (Correct)
Prizes for the best sweater were given to me. (Correct)
Be aware of when a new clause is implied in comparisons requiring a subject pronoun. Fill in the clause to see which is correct.
She stays true to the traditional recipes far better than me. (Incorrect)
She stays true to the traditional recipes far better than me stay true to them. (Incorrect)
She stays true to the traditional recipes far better than I. (Correct)
She stays true to the traditional recipes far better than I stay true to them. (Correct)
The MLCKRB (Master List Code Key and Rule Book): An English Grammar & Style Handbook by Jared Aragona, CC BY 4.0