Question 1

Is it correct to say 'taller than me' or 'taller than I'?

Accepted Answer

Both forms are used, but they belong to different levels of formality. "Taller than I (am)" is formal — it treats the comparison as a shortened clause: "She is taller than I am tall." "Taller than me" is informal — it treats "than" like a word followed by an object pronoun. In everyday speech, "taller than me" is much more common and sounds natural. In formal writing, academic essays, and examinations, "taller than I" is often preferred. For Cambridge B1 and B2 exams, you should recognise both forms and understand that neither is wrong. The important thing is consistency — do not mix formal and informal patterns in the same piece of writing. Choose one style and keep to it throughout.

Question 2

When do I use a subject pronoun after the verb 'be'?

Accepted Answer

In formal English, the verb "be" is a linking verb — it connects the subject to information about the subject, so technically both sides should use subject pronouns: "It is I," "It was she who called." However, in modern everyday English, most people use object pronouns after "be": "It's me," "It was her who called." Both forms are defended by different grammar traditions. For Cambridge exams, you should know the formal rule (subject pronoun after "be") and recognise that the informal form (object pronoun) is accepted in spoken English. In sentences like "It was he/him who won the prize," formal writing prefers the subject pronoun. Understanding both options helps you choose the right level of formality for each situation.

Question 3

Why do we say 'Let him go' and not 'Let he go'?

Accepted Answer

"Let" always takes an object pronoun — "let me," "let him," "let her," "let us," "let them." This is because the pronoun after "let" receives the action of permitting or allowing: "Let him go" means you are allowing him to leave. Using a subject pronoun ("Let he go") is always incorrect. The short form "let's" comes from "let us" — it uses the object pronoun "us" because we are telling someone (including ourselves) to allow us to do something. "Let" behaves differently from linking verbs like "be," where formal English allows a subject pronoun ("It is I"). After "let," only object pronouns are correct — there is no formal alternative. This makes "let" one of the simpler pronoun rules to remember in English grammar.

Subject vs Object Pronouns - Advanced Exercises

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