Pronouns after ‘than’ and ‘as’

  1. Pronouns After Comparisons
    The words ‘than’ and ‘as’ are often used in comparisons to show how things or people are similar or different. When a pronoun follows these words, it can be tricky to choose the correct form.

  1. Subject vs. Object Pronouns
  • After ‘than’ or ‘as’, you can use either a subject or an object pronoun depending on what the sentence means.
  • Subject Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
  • Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them

  1. Elliptical Constructions (Implied Words)
  • In many cases, the comparison is part of an elliptical construction, which means some words are left out because they are implied.
  • Example:
    • He is taller than I (am).
      (Here “am” is implied, so the subject pronoun “I” is correct.)
    • She likes pizza as much as we (do).
  • Incorrect: He is taller than me.
    Correct: He is taller than I (am).

  1. When to Use Object Pronouns
  • If the implied word after “than” or “as” is a verb or action, use a subject pronoun.
  • Example: She is as smart as he (is).
  • If no verb is implied and the pronoun is the object of comparison, an object pronoun is used.
  • Example: She likes him more than me (she likes me).
  • This sentence means she likes him more than she likes me.

  1. Context Matters
    The choice between subject and object pronouns can change the meaning of the sentence:
  • Example 1:
    She likes him more than me.
    (She likes him more than she likes me.)
  • Example 2:
    She likes him more than I.
    (She likes him more than I do.)

  1. Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Using the wrong pronoun after ‘than’ or ‘as’ can lead to confusion or incorrect grammar. Make sure to check whether a verb is implied or if it’s comparing objects directly.
  • Incorrect:
  • He is taller than me.
  • She runs faster than him.
  • Correct:
  • He is taller than I (am).
  • She runs faster than he (does).