Personal Pronoun US — How to Talk About Yourself and Others as the Receiver
Quick Answer
Use us when something happens to you and your group — when you and others are the receivers of the action. “Us” comes after a verb or preposition.
Example: She invited us to dinner. (She did the inviting. We received it.)
US in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how it works:
- They called us last night. (They are the doers. We are the receivers.)
- Tell us the news. (You tell. We receive.)
- Come with us. (After the preposition “with.”)
When to Use US
Us is the object pronoun for yourself plus others. It comes after the verb (call us, see us, help us) or after a preposition (with us, for us, to us).
- After a verb (someone does something to your group): “Tom called us.”
- After a preposition: “Sit with us.”
- Receiving things: “They gave us the keys.”
- Being talked about: “They are talking about us.”
Easy way to remember: Us = receivers (you + others). After the verb. “We” do, “us” receive.
The Rule in One Line: Use us when you and others are the object — the ones receiving the action.
Real-Life Examples With US
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- Can you help us with the project? (You help. We receive the help.)
- She gave us a present. (She is the giver. We receive.)
- Tom invited us to dinner. (Tom is the inviter. We are the invited.)
- Are you talking to us? (After the preposition “to.”)
- Come and sit with us. (After the preposition “with.”)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With US
The most common mix-up is using “we” when you should use “us.” “We” does the action; “us” receives it. “Our” shows ownership and is a different word entirely.
Using we as the receiver
✗ She invited we to dinner.
✓ She invited us to dinner.
Using our instead of us
✗ Give our the keys.
✓ Give us the keys.
Using us as the subject
✗ Us live in London.
✓ We live in London.
How to remember: Us comes after. “Call us,” “see us,” “give us,” “with us” — verb or preposition first, then “us.”
Common “us” sentences: call us, see us, help us, with us, for us, give us, invite us.
Test Yourself: US
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. They invited _______ to the wedding.
2. Can you help _______ with the bags?
3. She told _______ a funny story.
4. Come and sit with _______.
5. They are looking at _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned us — the partner of we. With this pair, you can talk about your whole group in any sentence, no matter who is doing the action.
Now zoom out one more time. Forget your own group. Think about other people — your neighbours, the team across the field, the strangers at the next table. They are not we. There is one final pair of pronouns that handles them.
Next lesson: Personal Pronoun THEY — How to Talk About Other People
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.