Thumb Rule

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Instant Quiz

Can you correct the error in the sentence below? Scroll to the bottom of today’s post for the answer.

We always have alot of fun at our monthly get-togethers.

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It’s time to talk about…thumbs!

I hear endless questions about whether it should be “him and me” or “him and I” – or is “he and I” better?

English teachers like to show you a handy little pronoun chart that will supposedly solve everything:

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Easy as pie, isn’t it? Just stop yourself in mid-sentence, visualize the chart, and decide which case ending you need.

Hah. If I did that every time I started to talk, I’d never say anything.

So let’s do it the easy way: by using the Thumb Rule. You just use your thumb to make the sentence shorter. You’ll instantly hear the correct pronoun. No need for grammar gobbledygook!

Every Saturday afternoon, Jamie and I/me go to the mall. (Use your thumb to cover up “Jamie and”)

Every Saturday afternoon, I go to the mall.  CORRECT

Every Saturday afternoon, Jamie and I go to the mall.  CORRECT
Sometimes Mrs. Brown asks Clara and I/me to help with the bulletin boards.  (Use your thumb to cover up “Clara and”)

Sometimes Mrs. Brown asks me to help with the bulletin boards.  CORRECT

Sometimes Mrs. Brown asks Clara and me to help with the bulletin boards.  CORRECT

If you can figure out the correct pronoun for the short sentence, you automatically know the correct pronoun for the longer sentence! It never changes.

Click here to watch a short video (it’s free!) about the Thumb Rule.

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Instant Quiz ANSWER

A lot (meaning “a great deal”) is always one word. You should avoid the common one-word misspelling.

We always have a lot of fun at our monthly get-togethers.  CORRECT

What Your English Teacher Didn’t Tell You is available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon.com and other online booksellers.[image error]

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