1. The words after a preposition are said to be the "object of the preposition".
Examples:
The cat ran under the car.
(The words "the car" are the object of the preposition "under".)
Can you give this parcel to him tomorrow?
(The word "him" is the object of the preposition "to".)
2. As covered in "what are prepositions?",
a preposition usually sits before a noun (a word like "dog", "man", "house", "Alan"). However, a preposition can also sit before a pronoun (a word like "him", "her", "which", "it", "them"). This is important because the object of a preposition is always in the "objective case", and pronouns change. (In general, native English speakers have little trouble forming the objective case.)
Examples:
Can you give the parcel to him?
("He" changes to "him" in the objective case.)
I went to the cinema with them.
("They" changes to "them" in the objective case.)
3. However, the word "whom" is the objective case of "who", and this pairing causes some confusion. (This is covered more in the lesson
"Who and Whom".)
Examples:
Andy saw the scouts, at least one of whom was armed, through the mist.
("Whom" - objective case after the preposition "of")
Against whom did you protest if there was nobody present?
("Whom" - objective case after the preposition "against")

should be "Two hits to whom?"
(grammatically dodgy joke in
university magazine)
|
 |
WHOM AFTER A PREPOSITION
Many are unsure when to use who and whom. One
thing is for certain: Always use "whom" after a preposition.

should be "by whom?"
(street advertisement)
WHETHER AFTER A PREPOSITION
Some writers are unsure when to use "whether" and when to use "if". After a preposition, only "whether" can be used:
A decision about whether the elections were legal is pending.
Will you raise the question of whether we are investing in the
system or withdrawing?
MORE ABOUT WHETHER AND IF
(Whilst the remainder of this hot tip is not about prepositions, it fits in well with the hot tip above.)
In an indirect question (see "Glossary of Terms"), writers have a choice; both "whether" or "if" can be used. For example:
Ask him whether it was built before the war.
Ask him if it was built before the
war.
In business writing, "whether" should be used:
We must be informed whether the account is active or not.
Use "whether" after the verb "to discuss":
We must discuss whether we should continue or cut our losses.
|
 |
 |
YOU AND I / MY WIFE AND I
Many people always use "I" in expressions like "you and I" or "my wife and I" when, in some instances, they should be using "me".
It is a present from my wife and me.
("me" - objective case of "I" after the preposition "from")
It is a present from my wife and I.

(This is as wrong as saying "from I".)
Keep this between you and I.

(This is as wrong as saying "between I and the post".)
As covered above, prepositions govern the objective case. Therefore, the word "I" must change to "me" when it is the object of a preposition (i.e. follows it). The fact that it is preceded by "you and" or "my wife and" is irrelevant.
In fact, you should only use "I" in an expression like "you and I" when it is the subject of the verb. For example:
You and I argue on this subject on a daily basis.
("You and I" - subject of the verb "to argue")
My husband and I accept your
apology.
("My husband and I" - subject of the verb "to accept")
If the terms "objective case" and "subject of a verb" are confusing, then there is a neat trick to determine whether to use the "you and I" form or the "you and me" form. Simply remove everything apart from the "I" and try your sentence again. You will naturally use the correct version.
It was proposed by my husband and I/me.
Question: I or me?
Step 1: Remove "my husband and".
Step 2: Try the sentence again.
Step 3: It was proposed by I.
It was proposed by me.
Therefore:
It was proposed by my husband and me.
It was proposed by my husband
and I.
|
 |
|