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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

"it's me/her/him/them" patterns

Dear EnglishForward,



I'd like to know if the "it's me/her/him/them" pattern is acceptable even when it's followed by a relative clause?


For example, would you consider the following sentences acceptable?--


It's him that's to blame for all our troubles.


It's them who are to blame for all our troubles.


I've been mulling this and similar sentences for weeks now, but can't seem to decide.


Thanks for the help, and all the best!


Xavier.
  

Top answer

Yes. "him" is (borderline) acceptable even when a relative clause follows. You will find, however, that the native speaker typically prefers the "He is the one (who)" construction.

— CalifJim

  • Yes.
  • "him" is (borderline) acceptable even when a relative clause follows.
  • You will find, however, that the native speaker typically prefers the "He is the one (who)" construction.
  • He is the one (who is) to blame for ...
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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Yes. "him" is (borderline) acceptable even when a relative clause follows. You will find, however, that the native speaker typically prefers the "He is the one (who)" construction.

He is the one (who is) to blame for ...

CJ
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hey cj,

thanks for your reply. i'm an esl creative writer, and i meant these sentences to be spoken in character in a poem by a persona who, i suppose, resembles me, somewhat. it's funny but i realized this just now: i do say "it's him who" now and then, although the more direct construction-he's the one who-is something i also say, perhaps even more often than the previous pat
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