Watch Out When Using Subject or Object Pronouns Together or With a Name

Most writers use subject and object pronouns correctly in simple sentences:

I report for work three evenings a week.

The members of Vogon Soup invited me to lunch a few weeks ago.

But when a name or second pronoun is added, some writers can get thrown off and use the wrong pronoun:

image Me and Sally often work the evening shift.

image The members of Vogon Soup invited her and I to lunch a few weeks ago.

When you’re using a pronoun paired with a name or another pronoun, mentally omit it so that you can figure out the correct pronoun to use:

image Me often work the evening shift.

image I often work the evening shift.

image Sally and I often work the evening shift.

image She and I often work the evening shift.

image The members of Vogon Soup invited I to lunch a few weeks ago.

image The members of Vogon Soup invited me to lunch a few weeks ago.

image The members of Vogon Soup invited her and me to lunch a few weeks ago.

If any of the correct examples above startled you, practice making the mental omissions whenever you find paired pronouns in your writing. Soon you’ll be choosing the correct pronouns without even having to think about it.