Objective Case of Pronouns

Pronouns as objects of verbs

Use the objective case of pronouns when the pronoun is a direct or indirect object of a verb.

• Gilbertson nominated me for secretary. (direct object of nominated)

• The news hit them hard. (direct object of hit)

• Jennifer gave him the house and car. (indirect object of gave)

• Robert Chang told us and them the same incredible story. (indirect object of told)

Pronouns as objects of prepositions

You should also use the objective case of pronouns when the pronoun is an object of a preposition.

• The man pulled a blanket over the children and us. (Object of the preposition over)

• The man for whom they waited never arrived. (They waited for whom: object of the preposition for)

Pronoun over-refinement

Choosing between you and me vs. between you and I should be easy. Some people incorrectly believe that the subjective forms are more correct—that I is actually superior to me. Where this idea comes from is a mystery—perhaps from having It's me corrected to It is I or from recognizing obvious bad grammar, as in Me and him really like you. But don't be influenced by a misguided idea of refinement. The objective case has a clear purpose as the rules show, and not to use it when you should reveals your lack of knowledge. The phrase for You and I and between you and I are common mistakes that are probably due to over-refinement. The pronouns in these phrases are objects of prepositions, and therefore for you and me and between you and me are correct.

Compound objects

Watch out for pronoun case when you have a compound object. Remember that when an object is more than one person, it is still an object. Pronouns should be in the objective case.

• The ceremony will be given for Tucker, Martinez, and me. ( not for Tucker, Martinez, and 1)

• Without Kate and me ( not Without Kate and I), the book wouldn't have been published.

• The dean nominated Nelson and me ( not Nelson and I) to serve on the committee.

You can check for pronoun cases in such situations by reading the sentences with the pronoun object alone: The ceremony will be given for I; Without I, the book wouldn't have been published, The dean nominated I to serve on the committee. The mistakes show up quickly. Me is obviously the right form of the pronoun in these three sentences.

Pronouns as subjects of infinitives

When a pronoun is the subject of an infinitive (the basic verb with to: to swim, to drive, etc.), use the objective case for the pronoun. This rule shouldn't cause you any problems. Your ear will tell you the objective case is correct.

• He wanted her to drive the car.

• Bradford liked them to leave early.