When do you use I or me? When do you use they or them?
The difference between I and me, they and them
I is the subject pronoun, used for the one ‘doing’ the verb.
For example: I am going to the park with my friend Sophia. (I is the subject of ‘am going’.)
Me is the object pronoun, used for the object (or receiver) of the action of the verb.
For example: Sophia asked me to bring a ball to the park. (Me is the object of ‘asked’.)
If you’re looking for some worksheets to practice I or me pronouns, you can find some in our first grade vocabulary section.
The same goes for they or them.
They is the subject pronoun, used for the group ‘doing’ the verb.
For example: They are going to the school playground to play soccer. (They is the subject of ‘are going’.)
Them is the object pronoun, used for the object of the action of the verb.
For example: Coach asked them to wear their soccer uniforms for the match. (Them is the object of ‘asked’.)
The same goes for he/him, she/her and we/us.
The confusing part
Here comes the confusing part. Which form do you use when there are two subjects or objects linked with a verb?
For example: Sophia and me/I went to the park to play.
Sophia and me/I are the subjects of the verb. Therefore, the subject pronoun I is the correct answer.
Sophia and I went to the park to play.
For example: Coach drove Sam and me/I to the soccer game.
Sam and me/I are the objects of the verb. Therefore, the object pronoun is the correct answer.
Coach drove Sam and me to the soccer game.
Here’s a Hint
Take out the other person, and it should be clearer. You are not likely to say:
“Me went to the park to play.”
“Coach drove I to the soccer game.”
For more worksheets on pronouns as subjects and pronouns as objects, enchantedlearning.com has a useful section. Education.com also has a worksheet on subject and object pronouns.
