Him and Me, He and I: Navigating Subject Pronoun Pairings
Grammar Nazi
The most common incorrect variations of "him and me," "he and I," and "me and him" are due to the confusion between subject and object pronouns. Here are some of the wrong variations and their correct counterparts:
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Incorrect: Him and me went to the store. Correct: He and I went to the store.
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Incorrect: He and me are friends. Correct: He and I are friends.
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Incorrect: Her and I went shopping. Correct: She and I went shopping.
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Incorrect: Him and I are going to the concert. Correct: He and I are going to the concert.
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Incorrect: Me and him saw the movie. Correct: He and I saw the movie.
To properly use pronouns in traditional grammar, it's essential to understand the difference between subject and object pronouns. Subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence, i.e., the one performing the action. Object pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) are used when the pronoun is the object of the sentence, i.e., the one receiving the action or following a preposition.
Some tips for using pronouns correctly:
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When combining pronouns, always use subject pronouns with other subject pronouns and object pronouns with other object pronouns. Example: He and I went to the store. (Subject pronouns) She gave the book to him and me. (Object pronouns)
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When using a pronoun with another noun, the same rule applies: subject pronouns with subjects and object pronouns with objects. Example: John and I are friends. (Subject pronoun) The teacher spoke to Sarah and me. (Object pronoun)
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If you're unsure which pronoun to use, try removing the other noun and see if the sentence still makes sense. Example: He and I went to the store. (Remove "he": I went to the store. Remove "I": He went to the store. Both make sense, so the pronouns are correct.)
Remember that language evolves, and some rules may become more flexible over time. However, for clarity and adherence to traditional grammar, it's essential to use the correct pronouns in sentences.