Pronouns after ‘than’ and ‘as’
Key notes:
- 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.
- 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
- 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).
- He is taller than I (am).
- Incorrect: He is taller than me.
Correct: He is taller than I (am).
- 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.
- 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.)
- 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).
Let’s practice!🖊️