objective case after with(out)/at/to/...

If a pronoun follows a preposition (with, to, at, between, without, for, about, etc.), use the objective case: me, you, him, her, it, us, them. Short tests and a few rewrites make this quick to spot and fix.

Quick answer

After a preposition, use the objective pronoun: with me, to him, between us - not with I, to he, between we.

• Use me, you, him, her, it, us, them after prepositions.
• Drop the other name to test: "with John and ___" → if you'd say "me" alone, use "with John and me."
• Colloquial speech may bend this rule; in writing and formal speech stick to the objective case.

Core explanation

Pronouns take different forms depending on their role. When a pronoun is the object of a preposition or verb, it belongs to the objective case. Prepositions always take an object, so any pronoun that follows one should be objective.

• Subjective: I, you, he, she, we, they (used as subjects)
• Objective: me, you, him, her, us, them (used after prepositions and as objects)

The drop test is the fastest check: remove the other elements and see what sounds natural alone. If you would say "me," keep "me."

Real usage: work, school, casual

Here are natural, correct sentences you can reuse.

• Work: Please coordinate with me before you send the report.
• Work: The manager scheduled a meeting with Sam and her to review the budget.
• Work: Send the draft to him and copy me on the email.
• School: The teacher sat between Tom and me during the performance.
• School: The professor asked her and me for feedback on the syllabus.
• School: Bring the notes to us after class.
• Casual: Do you want to come with me to the movie?
• Casual: He left without her because he was late.
• Casual: They invited them to the barbecue next Saturday.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

Each pair shows the incorrect pronoun followed by the correct objective form.

• Wrong: She came with I.
  Right: She came with me.
• Wrong: They sent the package to he.
  Right: They sent the package to him.
• Wrong: The coach talked to we after practice.
  Right: The coach talked to us after practice.
• Wrong: He left without she.
  Right: He left without her.
• Wrong: Between John and I, the supplies are enough.
  Right: Between John and me, the supplies are enough.
• Wrong: Invite you and they to the meeting.
  Right: Invite you and them to the meeting.

How to fix your own sentence

Don't stop at swapping one word. Check tone and flow after the change.

• Step 1: Identify the preposition (with, to, at, between, without, for, about).
• Step 2: Apply the drop test: remove the other items and say the pronoun alone.
• Step 3: Reread and adjust wording if the sentence still feels awkward.

• Original: This plan is for he if we stay late.
  Rewrite: This plan is for him if we stay late.
• Original: Can you join John and I tomorrow?
  Rewrite: Can you join John and me tomorrow?
• Original: The coordinator split the tasks between Sarah and they.
  Rewrite: The coordinator split the tasks between Sarah and them.

A simple memory trick

Link the form to sound: if the pronoun would sound right standing alone after the preposition, it's probably objective. Picture the preposition and its object as a single unit - the object should always be the objective case.

• Think: preposition + object = "with me," not "with I."
• Search your document for "with I," "to he," "between we" and fix all instances in one pass.
• If you teach others, model the drop test: it's quick and reliable.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Space and form errors often cluster. A quick scan for related issues saves time.

Hyphenation and spacing

Some errors come from treating multiword phrases as single words or vice versa. Check whether a phrase is usually written as two words, hyphenated, or closed - but pronoun case is a separate issue and unaffected by hyphenation.

Verb-form confusion

Don't confuse subject/object with verb agreement: "She and I are ready" (subjective) vs "She sat with me" (objective).

Word-class confusion

Sometimes writers use a pronoun where a noun phrase is needed. Be clear whether the element is acting as subject, object, or modifier.

FAQ

When should I use 'me' instead of 'I' after a preposition?

Whenever the pronoun follows a preposition. Use the objective case: me, you, him, her, it, us, them.

What's the fastest check to choose between 'me' and 'I'?

Drop the other person from the phrase. If you would say "me" alone, use "me" after the preposition: "with Tom and me."

Is "It's me" incorrect in formal English?

"It's me" is widely used and accepted in speech. The formal prescriptive alternative after a linking verb is "It is I," but that is rarely necessary in everyday writing.

How do I decide between "who" and "whom"?

Use "whom" for objects of verbs or prepositions: "To whom did you send it?" The same drop test works: if the answer would use "him/her/me," then "whom" is correct.

Will grammar checkers catch these errors?

Most modern grammar tools flag pronoun-case mistakes after prepositions. Combine a quick manual check with a tool for the best results.

Want to check a sentence now?

Use the drop test: remove the other name and say the pronoun alone. If you'd say "me," keep "me" after the preposition. For a fast automated check, paste your sentence below.