Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

“Me and pongo know him”
Pesky pronouns: The understudies

THE CASE FOR NOMINATIVE PRONOUNS

Maybe this currently common error has to do with the Me Generation in the workplace. Or maybe the reason is that the Boomers have focused on their entrepreneurial ventures as they retire. Or maybe … well, enough philosophizing about why this usage pops up daily on the airwaves and streets during interviews with politicians, pundits, and power brokers of all sorts. Let’s just jump on it and quash it before it grows.

When it comes to pronouns, remember what your momma always told you about being considerate and putting others first. Make your momma proud: Put others first, then follow with pronouns that can play the role of subjects. Technically, they’re called nominative pronouns. (Refer to the entry on “Just Between You and I” for the acting analogy.)

Incorrect:

Me and Eldora have a lunch appointment Tuesday. (Would you ever say, “Me has a lunch appointment Tuesday?” Of course not, so me can’t play the role of subject. Get me out of there!)

Her, Pongo, and Wilmo’s sales staff introduced the product to prospects throughout the region. (Would you ever say, “Her introduced the product to prospects throughout the region?” Not on your life. Get her out of the subject role.)

Correct:

Eldora and I have a lunch appointment Tuesday.

Pongo, Wilmo’s sales staff, and she introduced the product to prospects throughout the region.

Memory tip

To get the correct subject pronoun, test the sentence by dropping the other names, and let your ear do the rest.