B1 Confusable-words 17 min read Medium

To-be-he vs. To-be-him: What's the Difference?

Formal rule: 'The winner was he.' Informal reality: 'The winner was him.' Know your audience!
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'he' after 'to be' in formal writing; use 'him' in everyday conversation.

  • Formal: Use subject pronouns (he, she, I) after 'to be'. Example: 'It is he.'
  • Informal: Use object pronouns (him, her, me) after 'to be'. Example: 'It's him.'
  • The Mirror Rule: The verb 'to be' is an equals sign; both sides should be subjects.
👤 (Subject) + 🔄 (To Be) + 👤 (Subject Pronoun) = 🎩 Formal

Overview

The distinction between pronoun forms like he and him after the verb to be represents a classic point of contention in English grammar. While It is I is grammatically prescriptive, It's me is overwhelmingly common in everyday usage. This divergence highlights a fundamental difference between formal, rule-bound grammar and the dynamic, evolving patterns of spoken English.

Understanding this rule is crucial for learners navigating various communication contexts.

At its core, this grammar point revolves around subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) and object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them). These forms, known as cases, dictate a pronoun's function within a sentence. In formal English, pronouns immediately following the verb to be must retain their subject form, as to be acts as a linking verb rather than an action verb.

This means the pronoun renames or identifies the subject, rather than receiving an action.

However, the grammatical insistence on subject pronouns in this position often sounds unnatural to modern ears. This article will meticulously explore the underlying linguistic principles, formal rules, and practical considerations for choosing between he and him (or I and me, she and her, etc.) in different registers of English. Your ability to deploy the correct form demonstrates an advanced command of linguistic nuance, suitable for academic and professional communication, while also allowing for natural, fluent interaction in informal settings.

How This Grammar Works

The grammar rule dictating to be he (or to be I, to be she) is rooted in the concept of linking verbs and subject complements. Unlike most verbs, which express actions (e.g., run, eat, speak) and are followed by objects (I saw him), linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that renames or describes the subject. The most common linking verb in English is to be in all its forms (is, am, are, was, were, been, being, will be, has been, etc.).
Think of the linking verb to be as an equals sign (=). Whatever appears on one side of this equals sign is grammatically equivalent to what appears on the other side. Consider the sentence The winner is he.
Here, The winner is the subject, is is the linking verb, and he is the subject complement. He doesn't receive an action; it identifies The winner. Since he is essentially another name for the subject The winner, it must take the same grammatical case as the subject.
English subjects are always in the nominative case (also known as the subjective case).
This is why, in prescriptive grammar, the pronoun following to be must be a subject pronoun. It is not functioning as an object receiving the action of the verb; it is completing the meaning of the subject. This grammatical construction is formally called a predicative nominative (or predicative pronoun).
The pronoun acts as a predicate adjective or predicate noun, offering more information about the subject.
Let's contrast this with an action verb: She greeted him. In this sentence, greeted is an action verb. She is the subject performing the action, and him is the direct object receiving the action.
Him is in the accusative case (also known as the objective case). If we were to apply the to be rule incorrectly, we might say She greeted he, which is grammatically incorrect because he is a subject pronoun and cannot function as a direct object.
Understanding pronoun case is paramount here. English personal pronouns have distinct forms for the nominative and accusative cases. While nouns generally do not change form between subject and object roles (e.g., the dog barks, I see the dog), pronouns do.
This makes pronouns a unique grammatical category that retains more of the older inflectional systems found in languages like Latin and Old English.
Here’s a breakdown of personal pronoun cases relevant to this rule:
| Nominative (Subject) | Accusative (Object) |
|----------------------|---------------------|
| I | me |
| you | you |
| he | him |
| she | her |
| it | it |
| we | us |
| they | them |
Therefore, in formal contexts, if a pronoun follows any form of to be and acts as an identifying complement, it must be in the nominative case. For example:
  • It was she who called. (She identifies It.)
  • The leader will be I. (I identifies The leader.)
  • Could the mystery person be they? (They identifies the mystery person.)
This rule applies consistently across all tenses and moods of to be. While these constructions may sound archaic or overly formal in contemporary casual speech, their grammatical basis is clear and remains important in specific registers.

Formation Pattern

1
The prescriptive formation pattern for pronouns following the verb to be is straightforward: you pair a subject (or a clause functioning as a subject) with a form of to be, and the subsequent pronoun must be in its subject (nominative) case. This structure ensures that the pronoun grammatically aligns with the subject it is equating or identifying.
2
The core formula is:
3
Subject + [Form of to be] + Subject Pronoun (Nominative Case)
4
This pattern holds true for all forms and tenses of the verb to be, whether it's a simple present is, a past perfect had been, or a future continuous will be being. The crucial element is the linking function of to be, which demands grammatical equivalence between the subject and the pronoun that follows.
5
Here are examples demonstrating this formal pattern:
6
| Subject/Subject Clause | Form of to be | Subject Pronoun | Full Formal Sentence |
7
|------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------|
8
| The person responsible | is | he | The person responsible is he. |
9
| I believe the culprit | was | she | I believe the culprit was she. |
10
| The ones who arrived early | are | we | The ones who arrived early are we. |
11
| If that were | | I | If that were I, I would object. |
12
| The new CEO will | be | they | The new CEO will be they. |
13
| The only applicant left | has been | he | The only applicant left has been he. |
14
Notice that even with more complex sentence structures or auxiliary verbs, the principle remains constant. The pronoun he still functions as the subject complement of The person responsible, hence its nominative form. The same applies to she identifying the culprit and we identifying the ones who arrived early.
15
It is important to acknowledge the phrase It's me as a widely accepted exception to this formal rule. While technically It is I adheres to the predicative nominative rule, It's me has become so thoroughly entrenched in English, across almost all registers outside of highly formal writing or self-consciously archaic speech, that it is considered idiomatic. Attempting to use It is I in everyday conversation often sounds stilted or even humorous. For instance, if someone knocks on your door, responding It is I instead of It's me would likely draw an odd reaction.
16
Other linking verbs, such as seem, appear, become, feel, look, sound, smell, taste, also follow this predicative pattern. However, the use of subject pronouns after these verbs is considerably rarer and often feels even more archaic than with to be. For instance, He seemed to be she is grammatically correct but virtually unheard of in modern English; He seemed to be her is the universally accepted and expected form in both speech and writing for these other linking verbs.

When To Use It

Deciding whether to use a subject pronoun (he, I, she) or an object pronoun (him, me, her) after the verb to be is primarily a matter of register and context. There are situations where strict adherence to prescriptive grammar is expected, and others where it would sound unnatural or pretentious. Mastering this distinction demonstrates genuine proficiency in English.
Use Subject Pronouns (Formal Contexts):
When precision, authority, and adherence to traditional grammatical standards are paramount, the subject pronoun is the correct choice. This typically applies to:
  • Academic Writing: In essays, research papers, theses, and other scholarly documents, using subject pronouns after to be is generally expected. Your professors and academic peers will anticipate this level of grammatical correctness. For example, The primary theorist behind this concept was she, not he.
  • Professional and Legal Documents: Formal reports, legal contracts, official correspondence, and formal business proposals require exact language. Ambiguity must be avoided, and traditional grammar often serves this purpose. Consider: The authorized signatory will be he, as designated by the board.
  • Formal Speeches and Presentations: When delivering a prepared speech in a formal setting (e.g., a conference, a public address, a job interview), employing formal grammar contributes to an authoritative and polished presentation. You might hear: And the recipient of this prestigious award is I.
  • Standardized Tests and Grammar Examinations: Many English language proficiency tests (like IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge exams) and school grammar assessments will test your knowledge of the prescriptive rule. On these, It was he is the correct answer.
Use Object Pronouns (Informal/Everyday Contexts):
In the vast majority of real-world communication, particularly in spoken English and informal writing, the object pronoun is not only acceptable but often preferred. Using subject pronouns here can sound overly stiff, pedantic, or even socially awkward. These contexts include:
  • Everyday Conversation: When speaking with friends, family, colleagues, or in any casual social interaction, It's him or That's her is the natural and expected usage. For example: “Who's there?” “It's me!”
  • Texting and Social Media: Digital communication platforms are inherently informal. Attempting to use subject pronouns in texts, chats, or social media posts would appear out of place. LOL that was him! is standard, whereas LOL that was he! would be facetious.
  • Informal Email and Personal Correspondence: Emails to friends, casual notes, and personal letters typically adopt a relaxed tone where object pronouns are entirely appropriate. It was me who forgot the keys, sorry!
  • Creative Writing Dialogue: When writing dialogue for characters, using object pronouns after to be makes the conversation sound authentic and realistic, reflecting how people actually speak. A character saying “It must be them” sounds far more natural than “It must be they.”
Choose your pronoun based on the impression you wish to make and the expectations of your audience and medium. In doubt, consider whether the context is predominantly formal and written, or informal and spoken.

Common Mistakes

Learners and even native speakers frequently make errors with to be he vs. to be him due to the inherent tension between prescriptive grammar and descriptive usage. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you avoid them.
  1. 1Hypercorrection (Over-correction): This occurs when a speaker or writer, aware of the formal rule, attempts to apply it in contexts where it sounds unnatural or is not expected. The most common instance is using It is I in casual conversation. While technically correct, saying “It is I at the door” or “It was I who ate the last slice” in informal settings can sound pretentious or humorous, rather than grammatically sophisticated. The goal should be appropriate usage, not merely technically correct usage.
  1. 1Using Object Pronouns in Strictly Formal Writing: Conversely, the most significant error in academic and professional contexts is using object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) after to be where a subject pronoun is required. For instance, writing The author of the proposal was him in a business report is an error. The correct formal construction is The author of the proposal was he. This mistake can undermine the credibility of the writer and suggest a lack of grammatical precision.
  1. 1Confusing Linking Verbs with Action Verbs: A critical error is applying the to be rule to sentences where the verb is an action verb and the pronoun functions as an object. Remember, the rule Subject + to be + Subject Pronoun applies only to linking verbs. If a verb expresses an action, the pronoun that receives that action must be in the object case. For example:
  • Incorrect: She called he. (The verb called is an action verb, and he is acting as the direct object. Should be She called him.)
  • Incorrect: They invited I to the party. (The verb invited is an action verb. Should be They invited me to the party.)
The easiest way to check is to identify if the verb expresses an action being performed on the pronoun. If so, use an object pronoun.
  1. 1Misapplying the “Equals Sign” Analogy: While the to be verb acts like an equals sign, some learners misinterpret this when compound pronouns are involved or when the pronoun is part of a prepositional phrase. For example, The decision was made by him and me. is correct because him and me form the object of the preposition by. An error would be The decision was made by he and I. The to be rule only applies when the pronoun directly follows to be and functions as a subject complement, not when it is governed by a preposition or an action verb. Always check the immediate grammatical role of the pronoun.
By carefully considering the verb type (linking vs. action) and the intended formality of the communication, you can effectively avoid these common grammatical pitfalls and choose the appropriate pronoun form.

Real Conversations

Observing how native English speakers navigate the to be he vs. to be him dilemma in various real-world scenarios illustrates the powerful influence of context and register. The choice is rarely about absolute right or wrong, but rather about what is situationally appropriate and sounds natural.

S

Scenario 1

Casual Phone Call

- Situation: You answer the phone, and a friend asks, “Who’s calling?”

- Response: “It’s me.”

- Analysis: This is the quintessential informal usage. Responding “It is I” would sound extremely strange, almost like a deliberate attempt at humor or an imitation of an outdated formal style. It’s me is universally accepted and expected in this common, low-stakes communicative act.

S

Scenario 2

Academic Presentation Discussion

- Situation: During a Q&A session after a university presentation on historical figures.

- Question: “Some historians argue that the true architect of the reform was not the King, but his advisor. Was it he?”

- Response: “Indeed, the architect was he, a point meticulously documented in contemporaneous letters.”

- Analysis: In this highly formal, academic context, the speaker chooses the prescriptive he. This choice lends an air of precision and intellectual rigor to the discussion, aligning with the academic register. Using him here would not necessarily be incorrect but would slightly detract from the formality expected in such a setting.

S

Scenario 3

Social Media Comment on an Old Photo

- Situation: A friend posts a throwback photo from childhood on Instagram.

- Comment: “OMG! Is that you in the ridiculous hat?”

- Response: “Haha, yeah, that’s him!” (referring to her brother) or “That was me trying to be cool.”

- Analysis: Social media is a prime example of an informal communication channel. Object pronouns (him, me) are not only acceptable but standard. Using subject pronouns here would be perceived as awkward or ironic. The focus is on quick, casual interaction.

S

Scenario 4

Professional Email Regarding Project Responsibility

- Situation: An internal email clarifying roles for a new project.

- Email excerpt: “To confirm, the lead for the upcoming phase will be Ms. Chen. The co-lead, responsible for technical oversight, is he.”

- Analysis: While is him might be heard in spoken office conversation, in a formal written communication like this, is he maintains a professional and precise tone. It reflects an adherence to formal grammatical conventions often valued in corporate or institutional environments where clarity and respect for standard English are priorities.

These examples illustrate that the "correct" choice is context-dependent. A fluent English speaker effortlessly switches between these forms based on the social and communicative demands of the situation, a skill that learners should cultivate.

Quick FAQ

Addressing some of the most common questions about to be he versus to be him can help solidify your understanding and provide practical guidelines for application.
Q: Is It’s me ever grammatically wrong?
A: In the strictest prescriptive sense, yes, It is I is the grammatically mandated form because I is a subject complement following the linking verb is. However, It’s me has achieved near-universal acceptance in descriptive grammar, which reflects actual language use. For virtually all real-world communication outside of highly formal writing or specific grammar tests, It’s me is not just acceptable but preferred.
You will sound more natural and avoid hypercorrection by using It’s me.
Q: Why does English even have this rule if most people don’t follow it?
A: This rule is a relic of English’s historical linguistic roots, particularly its influence from Latin. Latin, a highly inflected language, maintains a strict case system where nouns and pronouns change form depending on their grammatical function (subject, object, possessive). Early English grammarians, influenced by Latin, tried to impose similar strictures on English, even as its case system was simplifying.
While English has largely lost overt case distinctions for nouns, it retains them for personal pronouns (I/me, he/him, etc.). The to be rule is one of the last vestiges of this more rigid, Latin-influenced grammar, particularly regarding the predicative nominative.
Q: Does this rule apply to other linking verbs like seem or become?
A: Prescriptively, yes, the rule should extend to other linking verbs. For instance, The winner seemed to be she. or He wished to become I. However, these constructions sound even more antiquated than with to be. In virtually all modern English, even formal, you will encounter object pronouns after other linking verbs: The winner seemed to be her. or He wished to become me. While the grammatical principle is the same, descriptive usage has almost entirely rejected subject pronouns in these positions, making to be the primary, and often sole, battleground for this particular rule.
Q: What is a quick way to check if I should use he or him?
A: A practical heuristic, particularly for formal contexts, is to mentally invert the sentence or replace the pronoun with I or me. If the sentence still makes sense and I sounds natural, then a subject pronoun (he, she, we, they) is likely appropriate. If me sounds natural, then an object pronoun (him, her, us, them) is likely appropriate.
For example:
  • The person at the door is _____. Can you say I am the person at the door? Yes. So, The person at the door is I. (Formal).
  • The one who broke the window was _____. Can you say I was the one who broke the window? Yes. So, The one who broke the window was I. (Formal).
If the verb is an action verb, try replacing the pronoun with a simple noun to see if it functions as an object. She saw _____ at the park. Can you say She saw John? Yes. So, She saw him. (Not She saw he.)
This informal test helps you decide quickly, though always remember to consider the overall formality of your communication.
Q: Can I just always use object pronouns (him, me) to avoid confusion?
A: While this approach might make your spoken English sound more natural and is largely acceptable in informal writing, it is insufficient for achieving proficiency in formal English. If you aim to write academic papers, professional reports, or communicate in contexts demanding high grammatical precision, understanding and correctly applying the subject pronoun rule after to be is essential. It is a marker of educated and careful writing, even if it feels less intuitive than common speech.
Your goal as a B1 learner should be to recognize the difference and apply the appropriate form given the situation.

Pronoun Choice After 'To Be'

Subject Verb (To Be) Formal Pronoun Informal Pronoun
It
is
I
me
It
is
he
him
It
is
she
her
It
is
we
us
It
is
they
them
The winner
was
he
him
The callers
were
they
them

Common Contractions (Informal Only)

Full Form Contraction Usage
It is him
It's him
Very Common
That is her
That's her
Common
It is me
It's me
Universal
It is them
It's them
Common

Meanings

This rule determines which pronoun case to use following a linking verb (specifically 'to be'). It distinguishes between traditional grammatical correctness and modern idiomatic usage.

1

Identification (Formal)

Using the subjective case (he) to identify a person in a formal or academic context.

“It was he who first discovered the error.”

“The winner of the prize is she.”

2

Identification (Informal)

Using the objective case (him) for identification in natural, everyday speech.

“Who's that in the photo? Oh, that's him.”

“It's me! Open the door.”

3

Phone/Intercom Etiquette

A specific scenario where both forms are frequently encountered depending on the speaker's desired level of politeness.

“May I speak to John? 'This is he.'”

“Is that Sarah? 'Yeah, it's her.'”

Reference Table

Reference table for To-be-he vs. To-be-him: What's the Difference?
Form Structure Example
Formal Affirmative
It + is + Subject Pronoun
It is he.
Informal Affirmative
It's + Object Pronoun
It's him.
Formal Negative
It + is not + Subject Pronoun
It is not she.
Informal Negative
It isn't + Object Pronoun
It isn't her.
Formal Question
Is it + Subject Pronoun?
Is it they?
Informal Question
Is it + Object Pronoun?
Is it them?
Phone Response
This + is + Subject Pronoun
This is he.
Identification
That + is + Object Pronoun
That's him.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
This is he.

This is he. (Phone call)

Neutral
Yes, that's me.

Yes, that's me. (Phone call)

Informal
Yeah, it's me.

Yeah, it's me. (Phone call)

Slang
Yo, you got him.

Yo, you got him. (Phone call)

The Linking Verb Mirror

To Be (is/was)

Formal Side

  • Subject He
  • Subject I

Informal Side

  • Object Him
  • Object Me

Formal vs. Informal Pronouns

Formal (Subjective)
It is he Correct for essays
Informal (Objective)
It's him Correct for friends

Which Pronoun Should I Use?

1

Are you writing a formal essay?

YES
Use 'He/She/I'
NO
Next question
2

Are you talking to a friend?

YES
Use 'Him/Her/Me'
NO
Use 'He/She/I' to be safe

Pronoun Categories

👑

Subjective

  • • I
  • • He
  • • She
  • • They
🎯

Objective

  • • Me
  • • Him
  • • Her
  • • Them
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

It is me!

2

That is him over there.

3

Is it her?

4

It's not them.

1

I thought it was him.

2

It's me, Sarah.

3

The winner is her!

4

Was it him who called?

1

If you need the doctor, it is he.

2

This is she speaking.

3

It was him who broke the window, not me.

4

I'm sure it was they who arrived first.

1

It was he who spearheaded the project.

2

The person you are looking for is I.

3

Despite the evidence, it wasn't him.

4

It is they who must decide the future.

1

Should the culprit be he, we shall act.

2

It is I who am responsible for this mess.

3

The only ones left were he and she.

4

It's him we need to worry about.

1

Were it he, the outcome would differ.

2

It is he to whom we owe our gratitude.

3

The ghost was thought to be he.

4

It's him, the man from my dreams.

Easily Confused

To-be-he vs. To-be-him: What's the Difference? vs Who vs. Whom

Both involve the choice between subjective (who/he) and objective (whom/him) cases.

To-be-he vs. To-be-him: What's the Difference? vs Than I vs. Than me

Learners often think 'than' is a preposition (requiring 'me') rather than a conjunction (requiring 'I').

To-be-he vs. To-be-him: What's the Difference? vs Compound Subjects (He and I)

Learners often say 'Him and me went' because they are used to object pronouns coming later in sentences.

Common Mistakes

✗

It is he.

✓

It's me / It's him.

At A1, 'It is he' sounds too strange and robotic. Use the informal version.
✗

Me am here.

✓

I am here.

Don't confuse the 'to be' rule with the basic subject rule.
✗

Is him?

✓

Is it him?

Forgetting the dummy subject 'it'.
✗

That him.

✓

That is him.

Dropping the verb 'to be'.
✗

I saw he.

✓

I saw him.

Using the 'to be' rule for action verbs.
✗

It's he.

✓

It's him.

Mixing a contraction (informal) with a formal pronoun.
✗

Them are my friends.

✓

They are my friends.

Using object pronouns as subjects.
✗

Between you and I, it was him.

✓

Between you and me, it was him.

Hypercorrection: using 'I' after a preposition.
✗

It was him who did it.

✓

It was he who did it.

In a formal essay, 'him' is considered too casual.
✗

If I was him...

✓

If I were he...

Combining the wrong pronoun with the wrong mood (subjunctive).
✗

It is him whom I love.

✓

It is he whom I love.

In high-level formal writing, the predicate nominative must be subjective.
✗

The culprits were them.

✓

The culprits were they.

Formal plural predicate nominative.
✗

It is me who is responsible.

✓

It is I who am responsible.

The verb 'am' must agree with 'I', not 'me'.

Sentence Patterns

It was ___ who called you.

If I were ___, I would leave.

That's ___!

The winner of the race is ___.

Real World Usage

Answering the Phone very common

This is she.

Texting a Friend constant

It's him!

Job Interview occasional

The best candidate is I.

Police Lineup rare

That's him, officer.

Academic Essay common

It was he who initiated the change.

Social Media Caption very common

Just me and him.

Sign up free to see all examples
🎯

The Phone Test

If you want to sound professional, always use 'This is he/she' when someone asks for you. It's an instant credibility booster.
⚠️

Avoid Hypercorrection

Don't use 'he' after verbs like 'saw', 'hit', or 'called'. Only use it after 'is', 'was', 'were'.
💡

When in Doubt, Use 'Him'

In 95% of modern life, 'It's him' is perfectly acceptable and won't sound weird. 'It is he' is only for the top 5% of formal situations.
💬

Listen to the 'It's me' Song

Notice how singers always use 'me' and 'him'. It helps you realize that the informal version is the 'heart' of the language.

Smart Tips

Use 'This is he' or 'This is she' to sound instantly more authoritative.

Yeah, that's me. → This is he.

Avoid contractions and use subject pronouns after 'to be'.

It's him who started the war. → It was he who initiated the conflict.

Try reversing the sentence. If 'Him is the winner' sounds wrong, then 'The winner is him' is the informal version.

The winner is him. → He is the winner.

Match the pronoun to the 'who' clause. 'It is I who am' vs 'It is me who is'.

It's me who is going. → It is I who am going.

Pronunciation

/ɪts ˈhɪm/ vs /ɪt ˈɪz hi/

Contraction Stress

In the informal 'It's him', the stress is usually on 'him'. In the formal 'It is he', the stress is often on 'is'.

Rising for questions

Is it him? ↗

Seeking confirmation

Memorize It

Mnemonic

The 'Be' is a mirror: what you see on the left (Subject) is what you see on the right (Subject).

Visual Association

Imagine a king looking into a mirror. He doesn't see a servant (him); he sees another king (he).

Rhyme

If the verb is 'be', use 'he'. If the verb is 'do', 'him' will do.

Story

A man named 'He' walked into the 'Is' Mirror Shop. When he looked in the mirror, he didn't see a stranger named 'Him'; he saw himself, 'He'.

Word Web

Linking VerbPredicate NominativeSubjective CaseObjective CaseRegisterFormalInformal

Challenge

Try answering your next phone call from a friend with 'This is he/she' and see if they notice how formal you sound!

Cultural Notes

Answering 'This is he' or 'This is she' is considered the gold standard of professional phone etiquette.

Upper-class or 'Received Pronunciation' speakers are more likely to use 'It is I' in social settings than Americans.

Songwriters almost never use 'It is he' because it sounds unnatural in a rhythmic, emotional context.

Old English had a robust case system where the predicate nominative was strictly required. As the language evolved, the position of the word (after the verb) became more important than its function.

Conversation Starters

“

If you could be any famous person for a day, who would it be? 'It would be...'

“

Look at this old photo. Is that you? 'Yes, it's...'

“

Someone left a bag here. Do you think it was him?

“

If the president called you, how would you answer? 'This is...'

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you were mistaken for someone else. Use 'It was him' or 'It was he' at least three times.
Describe a hero from a book. Why was it he/she who saved the day?
Write a dialogue between a very formal butler and a casual teenager.
Who is the most influential person in your life? 'It is...'

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Choose the correct formal pronoun for a business letter. Multiple Choice

If anyone is to blame for the delay, it is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: he
In formal writing, use the subjective case 'he' after the linking verb 'is'.
Fill in the blank with the informal pronoun.

Who's at the door? It's ___ (me/I)!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: me
In casual speech, 'me' is the standard choice.
Correct the hypercorrection in this sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I called he yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I called him yesterday.
'Called' is an action verb, so it must be followed by the objective case 'him'.
Change this informal sentence into a formal one. Sentence Transformation

It was them who won.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It was they who won.
The formal version of 'them' after 'was' is 'they'.
Complete the professional phone dialogue. Dialogue Completion

Caller: 'May I speak with Sarah?' Sarah: 'This is ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: she
'This is she' is the standard professional response.
Match the register to the sentence. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Informal, 2-Formal
Subject pronouns are formal; object pronouns are informal.
Which pronouns follow 'It is' in formal English? Grammar Sorting

Sort: Him, He, Me, I, Her, She

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He, I, She
These are the subjective case pronouns.
Is this sentence grammatically correct in formal English? True False Rule

'The person in the mask was him.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Formally, it should be 'was he'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct formal pronoun for a business letter. Multiple Choice

If anyone is to blame for the delay, it is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: he
In formal writing, use the subjective case 'he' after the linking verb 'is'.
Fill in the blank with the informal pronoun.

Who's at the door? It's ___ (me/I)!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: me
In casual speech, 'me' is the standard choice.
Correct the hypercorrection in this sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I called he yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I called him yesterday.
'Called' is an action verb, so it must be followed by the objective case 'him'.
Change this informal sentence into a formal one. Sentence Transformation

It was them who won.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It was they who won.
The formal version of 'them' after 'was' is 'they'.
Complete the professional phone dialogue. Dialogue Completion

Caller: 'May I speak with Sarah?' Sarah: 'This is ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: she
'This is she' is the standard professional response.
Match the register to the sentence. Match Pairs

1. It's him. 2. It is he.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Informal, 2-Formal
Subject pronouns are formal; object pronouns are informal.
Which pronouns follow 'It is' in formal English? Grammar Sorting

Sort: Him, He, Me, I, Her, She

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He, I, She
These are the subjective case pronouns.
Is this sentence grammatically correct in formal English? True False Rule

'The person in the mask was him.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Formally, it should be 'was he'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choose the correct pronoun for this casual, spoken sentence. Fill in the Blank

Who's that? I think it's ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: him
Complete the sentence for a formal context. Fill in the Blank

The last people to leave the building were ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: they
Which sentence is most appropriate for a text to a friend? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Was that you at the cafe?
Find and fix the mistake to make this sentence formally correct. Error Correction

The best person for the job is definitely her.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The best person for the job is definitely she.
Type the correct English sentence for a formal setting. Translation

Translate into English: 'The person who called was I.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The person who called was I."]
Put the words in order to form a grammatically formal sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I thought it was he.
Match each subject pronoun with its corresponding object pronoun. Match Pairs

Match the pronouns:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Fill in the blank for this formal, hypothetical sentence. Fill in the Blank

If I were ___, I would accept the offer immediately.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: he
Which of these very formal sentences is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Had it been they, we would have known.
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

The person you need to speak to is me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The person you need to speak to is I.
Put the words in order to form a question. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Was it really she?

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

No. In modern English, `It's me` is considered grammatically acceptable in almost all contexts. Only the most traditional grammarians would call it an error.

It's a survival of old formal etiquette. It signals to the caller that you are professional and educated.

Yes, but it's a mix of styles. `It is he who...` is the consistent formal choice.

Informally, `It's them` is fine. Formally, use `It is they`.

Yes, all forms of the verb `to be` follow this rule.

In a casual setting, yes, it can sound a bit 'stuck up'. Use `It's me` to be friendly.

Informally, `It was him and me`. Formally, `It was he and I`.

Remember the 'Mirror Rule': if you can swap the words (`He is it`), use the subject form.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Soy yo / Es él

Spanish is always 'formal' by English standards in this rule.

French high

C'est moi / C'est lui

French never uses the subject pronoun (je, il) in this position.

German moderate

Ich bin es / Er ist es

The word order is often reversed (I am it).

Japanese low

Watashi desu / Kare desu

No distinction between subjective and objective pronouns.

Arabic low

Ana / Huwa

The 'linking' happens without a verb.

Chinese low

Shì wǒ / Shì tā

There is no case distinction to worry about.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Start-up vs. Startup vs. Start-up: What's the Difference?
Next
Unless vs. Until: What's the Difference?

Related Videos

What is BONFIRE NIGHT? | British Traditions & Culture 03:13

What is BONFIRE NIGHT? | British Traditions & Culture
Remote village where people walk on all fours | 60 Minutes Australia 15:45

Remote village where people walk on all fours | 60 Minutes Australia
Australia’s southeast braces for worst heatwave since Black Summer bushfires | ABC NEWS 04:21

Australia’s southeast braces for worst heatwave since Black Summer bushfires | ABC NEWS

Related Grammar Rules

B1

Dialect vs. Language: What's the Difference?

Overview Determining the precise line between a `language` and a `dialect` is one of the most famous challenges in ling...
B1

Nowadays vs. Now-a-days: What's the Difference?

Overview The English language constantly evolves, and with it, the acceptable forms of words. One such evolution has fir...
B1

Let-them vs. Let-they: What's the Difference?

Overview The distinction between `let them` and `let they` is a fundamental concept in English grammar, directly related...
B1

Quite vs. Quiet: What's the Difference?

Overview English presents many challenges, and among the most frequent are pairs of words that sound or look similar but...
B1

Said vs. Told: What's the Difference?

Overview English verbs `say` and `tell` are frequently confused, presenting a significant challenge for intermediate lea...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!