Object Pronouns
Object pronouns replace nouns that are the object of a verb or a preposition. The object receives the action.
The Object Pronouns
| Subject | Object | | ------- | -------- | | I | me | | you | you | | he | him | | she | her | | it | it | | we | us | | they | them |
Examples as Direct Objects
- I saw John ➔ I saw him.
- She loves her mother ➔ She loves her.
- Please call the students ➔ Please call them.
Examples after Prepositions
- Give the book to I ➔ Give the book to me.
- She sat next to he ➔ She sat next to him.
- I bought a gift for we ➔ I bought a gift for us.
Subject vs. Object: Common Confusion
The most common pronoun mistake is using subject pronouns where object pronouns belong, especially in compound objects.
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Incorrect: Please tell he and I the truth.
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Correct: Please tell him and me the truth.
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Incorrect: Between you and I.
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Correct: Between you and me.
Quick Test: Subject or Object?
| Sentence | Pronoun | Type | | -------------------- | ------- | ------- | | She loves music. | She | Subject | | I called her. | her | Object | | We are leaving. | We | Subject | | He sat with us. | us | Object |
"Me" in Informal English
In informal spoken English, "me" is often used as a subject in short answers, but this is not grammatically correct in formal writing.
- Informal: "Who wants ice cream?" "Me!"
- Formal: "Who wants ice cream?" "I do!"