Pronoun Mistakes
B1 · IntermediateCommon Grammar MistakesBetween you and me (not I), I relax (not I relax myself) — small pronoun slips that are easy to fix once you can spot them.
What you'll learn
- After a preposition (between, for, to, with) or as part of a compound object, use an object pronoun (me, him, her), not a subject pronoun (I, he, she)
- A reflexive pronoun (myself, herself) is only needed when the subject and the object of the verb are literally the same person
- Many English verbs — relax, wake up, get dressed, concentrate, hurry, focus — are naturally used without any reflexive pronoun at all
- When listing yourself with someone else, put yourself last and check the pronoun by removing the other person: 'between you and me' becomes clearly 'between me', not 'between I'
- 'Everyone... their' is the standard modern way to refer back to a singular indefinite pronoun without specifying gender
Two patterns, two common slips
Most pronoun mistakes fall into one of two groups: picking the wrong pronoun form after 'and' or a preposition, or adding a reflexive pronoun (myself, herself) where English doesn't actually need one.
Object pronouns after 'and' or a preposition
A pronoun that comes after a preposition, or that's part of a compound object with 'and', needs the object form — me, him, her, us, them — not the subject form.
A quick test for reflexive pronouns
Try removing the other person and see which pronoun still sounds right on its own — that's the answer.
Don't add a reflexive pronoun where English doesn't need one
A reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself) is only correct when the subject and the object are truly the same entity. Many everyday verbs describe an action that naturally applies to the subject, with no reflexive needed at all.
Real English
Watch out
After the preposition 'between', both pronouns need the object form.
As the subject of the sentence, both pronouns need the subject form — and it's more natural to put yourself last.
'Concentrate' doesn't need a reflexive pronoun in English — the action already applies to the subject.
'Get up' is naturally reflexive in meaning already — adding 'myself' is unnecessary and unnatural.
Real life — Making weekend plans with a sibling
"My sister and I are going shopping on Saturday — do you want to come?"
"Sure! Just between you and me, I really need some new shoes."
"Ha, same here. Let's meet at ten, and please hurry — the shops get busy fast."
"Deal. This is going to be a good day for both of us."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Exercise 9 · Correct the mistake
Correct the mistake: Me and her are going shopping.
Exercise 10 · Correct the mistake
Correct the mistake: He concentrated himself on the exam.
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Which is correct?
You learned
- After a preposition or 'and', use an object pronoun (me, him, her).
- Test compound pronouns by removing the other person.
- A reflexive pronoun is only needed when subject and object are truly the same entity.
- Many verbs (relax, wake up, concentrate, hurry) don't need a reflexive pronoun at all.
Related grammar lessons
Gerund vs Infinitive Mistakes
A focused review of the verbs most often paired with the wrong pattern — enjoy + -ing (not to), want + to (not -ing), and the 'to' + -ing trap in phrases like look forward to.
Common Preposition Mistakes
A focused review of the prepositions most often paired with the wrong verb or adjective — married to (not with), depend on (not of), listen to (not nothing at all).
Common Article Mistakes
A focused review of the most persistent article mistakes — missing 'a/an' before a job or role, and an extra 'the' added to general statements or place names that don't need one.
Countability Mistakes
A focused review of the specific words that trip learners up most — advice, information, furniture, news, and the much/many, a little/a few pairs that go with them.