Question on Object Pronouns

Question

Hi teachers,Is it correct to say as a rule that before an object pronoun can only be: a preposition or a verb?Eg.He is at the movies with her.He is driving her to the beach.He is giving her a coffee.Thanks in advance.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

He is giving a gift to Bob and her.
He told it to her and only her, not to anyone else.

CalifJim · Answer

Tenacious LearnerIs it correct to say as a rule that before an object pronoun can only be: a preposition or a verb?

You've already seen that modifiers and conjunctions can get in the way, so you can't accept that rule literally.

Taking it more in the spirit of "Only verbs and prepositions can govern an object pronoun", you are closer to the truth.

Nevertheless, to be thorough you need to add a few more clauses to your rule.

1. A verb can "govern backwards" if you have an inversion.

— Do you know Mr. Jones?
— Never heard of him.
— Do you know Mr. Smith?
— Never heard of him.
— How about Professor James?
— Ah! Now him I know!

This kind of inversion also happens in poetry.

2. Purists insist that a linking verb is an exception to the rule. A linking verb, to them, can't govern an object pronoun.

— Who's there?
— It's me. (Typical usage, but not the purists preference.)

— Who's there?
— It's I. (Purists preference.)

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

AlpheccaStarsHe is giving a gift to Bob and her.He told it to her and only her, not to anyone else.

Hi A-

s
Thank you for your examples. I can clearly see that the rule isn't enough.

TL

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Jim,
Thanks for your help and detailed explanation. Now it's crytal clear with those clauses.

TL

CalifJim · Answer

You're welcome.

crystal

I'm so bad!

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimcrystal

Thanks for you correction!

CalifJimI'm so bad!

Are you? I haven't noticed after three thousand threads! You must be joking!

TL

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