0
Kooyeen Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Us people are very happy.
Hi,
I once read that it's more common to use object pronouns instead of subject pronouns in sentences like "Us lions live in Africa", instead of "We lions live in Africa".
I just heard "Us people are certainly lucky to have a store like Wall-Mart, aren't we?"
Is it more natural to use object pronouns as subject in those cases? Thanks
PS: In case you forgot, I'd like to remind you I don't tolerate prescriptivism.
I once read that it's more common to use object pronouns instead of subject pronouns in sentences like "Us lions live in Africa", instead of "We lions live in Africa".
I just heard "Us people are certainly lucky to have a store like Wall-Mart, aren't we?"
Is it more natural to use object pronouns as subject in those cases? Thanks
PS: In case you forgot, I'd like to remind you I don't tolerate prescriptivism.
Top answer
It's not what one would call good English - but it is a usage that is heard. I am not sure that you can say it is more natural. "
- It's not what one would call good English - but it is a usage that is heard.
- I am not sure that you can say it is more natural.
- "
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
15 Answers
0
It's not what one would call good English - but it is a usage that is heard. I am not sure that you can say it is more natural.
The correct way of saying it is of course "We are certainly lucky to have a store like WalMart, aren't we?"
The correct way of saying it is of course "We are certainly lucky to have a store like WalMart, aren't we?"
00
To be honest, Kooyeen, I think "us people" sounds a little weird even from a descriptive point of view.
Generally speaking, in this (informal) usage, the noun that follows the word 'us' would be a bit more specific or narrow than the word 'people'.
us retirees
us New Yorkers
us expats
us techie wannabes
That's my completely descriptive opinion.
Generally speaking, in this (informal) usage, the noun that follows the word 'us' would be a bit more specific or narrow than the word 'people'.
us retirees
us New Yorkers
us expats
us techie wannabes
That's my completely descriptive opinion.
00
Yankeethe noun that follows the word 'us' would be a bit more specific or narrow than the word 'people'.I didn't think about that, but it's a good point. "People" is too general...
So if we use something else...
A) We New Yorkers are used to this traffic. - We learners are always afraid to make mistakes.
B) Us New Yorkers are used to
00
To me, A sounds correct and B sounds sub-standard/uneducated. A is not at all "too formal" -- it's just correct.
00
It's wrong. The subject of the verb takes a subject pronoun not an object pronoun; no ifs, no buts.
00
(I thought I was about to read a thread about the general felicity of the 50 states...)
Us people are very happy.
00
KooyeenHi,
I once read that it's more common to use object pronouns instead of subject pronouns in sentences like "Us lions live in Africa", instead of "We lions live in Africa".
I just heard "Us people are certainly lucky to have a store like Wall-Mart, aren't we?"
Is it more natural to use object pronouns as subject in those cases? T
00
To be honest, Kooyeen, I think "us people" sounds a little weird even from a descriptive point of view.I agree.
None of the sentences that begin with us seems to be something I often hear. Once in while, maybe, but not that commonly.
On the other hand, I don't hear the same sentences beginning with we either. I don't think the 'pronou
00
Kooyeen,
I think you are right about the object pronoun being used in place of the subject but these are common errors rather than a formal/informal issue. For example you might hear someone say: "Me and my mates are going to the pictures".
Whatever you do though, don't make a conscious effort to reproduce these barbarisms.
I think you are right about the object pronoun being used in place of the subject but these are common errors rather than a formal/informal issue. For example you might hear someone say: "Me and my mates are going to the pictures".
Whatever you do though, don't make a conscious effort to reproduce these barbarisms.
00
Hi Kooyeen
Strictly descriptively speaking, I have heard 'us + nouns' more often when it is notthe subject of the sentence.
Strictly descriptively speaking, I have heard 'us + nouns' more often when it is notthe subject of the sentence.
0
Related Questions