A2 English GrammarObject Pronouns
Use object pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) after verbs and prepositions. Learn the difference between subject and object pronouns.
1Object Pronouns Overview
Object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action (direct objects) or are affected by it (indirect objects). They come after the verb or after a preposition.
Subject vs Object Pronouns
| Subject | Object | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | me | She called me. |
| you | you | I saw you. |
| he | him | I met him yesterday. |
| she | her | Tell her the news. |
| it | it | I need it. |
| we | us | They invited us. |
| they | them | I know them. |
Examples
Can you help me?
Can you help me?
me = object of 'help'
I saw him at the station.
I saw him at the station.
him = object of 'saw'
She gave us the information.
She gave us the information.
us = indirect object
Tell them to wait.
Tell them to wait.
them = object of 'tell'
2Object Pronouns After Prepositions
Always use object pronouns after prepositions (to, for, with, from, about, etc.). Never use subject pronouns after prepositions.
Preposition + Object Pronoun
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| to | Give it to me. |
| for | This is for you. |
| with | Come with us. |
| about | Tell me about them. |
| from | I heard from her. |
Examples
This present is for her.
This present is for her.
for + object pronoun
Can you come with me?
Can you come with me?
with + object pronoun
I spoke to him about it.
I spoke to him about it.
to + him, about + it
The letter is from them.
The letter is from them.
from + object pronoun
3Direct and Indirect Objects
The direct object receives the action directly. The indirect object is the person who receives or benefits from the action. With two objects, the indirect object usually comes first.
Word Order
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| verb + indirect + direct | Give me the book. |
| verb + direct + to + indirect | Give the book to me. |
Examples
She sent me an email.
She sent me an email.
me = indirect, email = direct
I'll show you the photos.
I'll show you the photos.
you = indirect, photos = direct
He bought her flowers.
He bought her flowers.
her = indirect, flowers = direct
Can you lend me your pen?
Can you lend me your pen?
me = indirect, pen = direct
4Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using subject pronouns where object pronouns are needed, especially in formal contexts. Remember: after verbs and prepositions, use object pronouns.
Correct Usage
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| between you and I | between you and me | after preposition |
| for she and I | for her and me | after preposition |
| Tell I | Tell me | object of verb |
Examples
This is between you and me.
This is between you and me.
NOT 'you and I'
They invited my sister and me.
They invited my sister and me.
NOT 'my sister and I'
It's a secret between him and her.
It's a secret between him and her.
both are objects of 'between'