Him and I went to the beach! Sand got all over him and I.
Cringing yet?
Since most of the folks who read this blog are writers, I know I’m about to preach to the choir, but I heard “him and I” so many times this weekend–sports programs, TV shows, people in passing–that not writing about it didn’t seem like an option.
In no usage of the English language is “him/her and I” correct. It’s never correct. Ever. As the subject of the sentence (who went to the beach), it’s “He and I went.” Easiest way to figure it out is to omit “and I.” Even folks who say “him and I” would never say “Him went to the beach.”
When used as the object (Sand got all over whom), it’s him and me. If you’re not sure, leave one of them out. “Sand got all over him” is right; “sand got all over I” isn’t–and most folks know that.
He, him, his
She, her, hers
I, me, my/mine
Subject, object, possessive
Do we really have to go back to first grade?
If you get confused as to which form to use, try we (subject) and us (object). “We went to the beach. Sand got all over us.”
Lands. I’m about to join ranks with the grammar police.
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Another “git me all riled up” misuse of pronouns is…”The waiter brought ice cream to Jim and I,” or, “The trip was so much fun for Mary and I.”
I’d better shut up now…if I start listing my grammar pet peeves (and they are legion), I’d take up all your comment space.
LikeLike
Oh, yeah. We could go on and on, couldn’t we? 😀
LikeLike
LOL I thought, I KNOW Linda knows better than that! Great minds think alike! A lot of *boo-boos* have been bugging me lately. My new post is similar. So glad to see this! 😀
LikeLike
Just read it, Lynn. Good post! Looks like the grammar police is increasing in number. 🙂
LikeLike
LOL Wouldn’t it be nice if all of us could *arrest* the *bad* guys?
LikeLike
Heehee! Punishment would be six months diagramming sentences. 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
LOLOL Too funny! Love it! 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
Hallelujah! Thank you for posting this!
LikeLike
Giggle! You’re welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
Incidentally, while I know the grammar rules, not all of my characters do. Some of them say things like, “Me and him decided we ought to head to the trader’s today.” Others, though, are sticklers, like I am and are meticulous about what they say.
LikeLike
No, whatever occurs within quotation marks in fiction–or even outside of quotations in deep or 1st person POV–is sacrosanct. I don’t usually mess with it unless I can clarify what’s being said without affecting the character’s voice and manner.
LikeLike
WOW, SO GLAD THIS WAS ABOUT MISUSE OF WORDS, ‘CUZ YOUR TITLE GAVE ME PAUSE. I THOUGHT, “HUH???” WHAT’S LINDA THINKING? LOL
LikeLike
Heeheehee! Catchy title, huh?! 😀
LikeLike
well, not really all the way back to first grad, Linda. I seem to remember covering that about in fourth grade. But yes, it is so-o-o-o aggravating to see the Emglish language slaughtered in printed form. Makes you wonder who hired the proof-readers.
LikeLike
You’ve got a great memory. I can’t remember what I learned in which grade!
LikeLike
I thought the title was dialogue to a new story….LOL. Until of course I read further. These issues are aggravating, and even worse are those who insist on using text speech in every communication. Sets my teeth on edge. Great post, as always, Linda.
LikeLike
Oh, no kidding! LOL etc. doesn’t outside FB and Twitter!
LikeLike
Thanks for making my skin crawl, my friend 😉
LikeLike
So sorrly! 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike