Proper Use of Pronouns: He, She, They, We, and Beyond

The correct use of pronouns can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to sentences with multiple individuals. Whether you are referring to a male, female, a group, or even yourself alongside others, choosing the right pronoun is essential for clear communication. This article explores the rules and common pitfalls in using he, she, they, and we.

Gender-Specific Pronouns: He and She

When you are referring to a male or female, he and she are the correct pronouns to use. These pronouns are the subject of the sentence, used to refer to the person who is performing the action. For example:

He needs to leave. This refers to a male. She needs to leave. This refers to a female.

Use the correct pronoun based on the gender you are referring to. If you have more than one person, they is the appropriate pronoun to use. If the group includes yourself, then we is the correct choice. For example:

They need to leave. This could refer to more than one person, regardless of gender. We need to leave. This means more than one person, including yourself, needs to leave.

Personal and Possessive Pronouns: He and She vs. Her and Me

The correct use of he/she and her/me/us also depends on their role in the sentence—whether they are the subject or the object. Let's explore this with some examples:

The Subject vs. Object

When the subject of a sentence is a person, use the personal pronoun. For example:

She and I were given the directive. Here, she and I are the subjects, performing the action. The directive was given to her and me. Here, her and me are the objects, receiving the action.

The key is to check the role of the pronouns in the sentence. If the pronouns are the subject, use the personal pronoun. If they are the object, use the possessive pronoun.

Practical Example

Consider the sentence: "It was unclear as to whether the directive had been given to she or I. "

Remove the pronoun to simplify:

It was unclear as to whether the directive had been given to she. This does not sound right. It was unclear as to whether the directive had been given to me. This sounds correct.

The correct version is: "It was unclear as to whether the directive had been given to her or me."

Usage in Context

When you have introduced a person, use a possessive pronoun to refer to their belongings or actions. For instance:

Mary woke up. She got out of bed and went to brush her teeth. Here, "her teeth" refers to Mary's teeth. She woke up. She got out of bed and went to brush her teeth. This might confuse the reader, as "she" does not clearly refer to a known person.

If the person is ambiguous, use their name to clarify.

Exceptions and Context-Specific Pronouns

Exceptions to the general rules do exist. In some cases, he and she are not used separately if they are part of a group. This is particularly relevant in hypothetical situations where more than one gender is involved. For example:

"She and he left the room" might be simplified to "They left the room" in certain contexts.

However, this should be used unless the context requires the distinction between genders.

Grammar and Nuance: The Oxford Comma

Lastly, the Oxford comma should be used in lists where misinterpretation might occur, but in this specific case of multiple pronouns, its use is not strictly required. The clause can be vocalized clearly without it.

For instance:

The directive was given to her, her colleague, and me. The Oxford comma is needed here to avoid ambiguity. The directive was given to her and her colleague and me. This is less clear and might be used when the context is already established.

In summary, mastering the use of pronouns is key to effective communication. Whether you are adding clarity or simplifying a sentence, understanding the roles of personal and possessive pronouns is essential.