Micro-listening
He and I are or am: Choosing the Right Verb
Is it 'he and I are' or 'he and I am'?
'He and I are' is correct; 'he and I am' is incorrect because 'he and I' refers to two people. Replace the whole subject with 'we': 'we are'. For example, 'He and I are checking the guest list.' Use 'am' only when 'I' is the only subject.
Key points
- 'He and I' forms a plural subject with 'and'.
- Use 'are' because the complete subject means 'we'.
- Use 'am' when 'I' stands alone.
- Use 'were' for 'he and I' in the past.
Try what you have learned
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
Speaking Beta. Membership required for voice feedback.
At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I am | One person: yourself alone | I am checking the timetable. |
| He is | One male person alone | He is waiting outside. |
| He and I are | Two people sharing one clause | He and I are carrying boxes. |
| He and I were | Two people in the past | He and I were tired yesterday. |
The full explanation
'He and I' means another man or boy plus you: two people. Say 'He and I are hungry.' When you speak only about yourself, say 'I am hungry.' In English, a subject is the person or group performing an action or being described. Because two people together equal the plural pronoun 'we', the verb must agree with that plural meaning rather than matching only the single word 'I'.
He and I are setting up tables for the community dinner.
Why it works: Two people joined by and form a plural subject matching the verb are.
2 more examples
-
My coworker and I are reviewing the inventory list today.
The compound subject equals we, requiring the plural verb are.
-
He and I are ready to answer visitor questions at the entrance.
The plural verb are connects the two-person subject to the adjective ready.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exercise
Choose 'He and I are' When You Describe Two People
'He and I are' is the correct choice in standard English. Expressions like 'He and I am' or 'He and I is' are incorrect. In grammar, the subject names the person or people performing the action or experiencing the state. When you say 'He and I are hungry', the whole subject contains two individuals: another person plus yourself. Because two people form a plural subject, you must choose the plural verb 'are'. English verbs always agree with the full subject rather than the single pronoun standing closest to the verb.
-
He and I are hungry after working in the garden.
Why it works: Two people make up the complete subject, so the plural verb are is required.
-
He and I are in the dining room waiting for lunch.
Why it works: The subject refers to two individuals together before a location.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly describes two people waiting for a bus?
Answer: He and I are standing near the bus stop.
Show the answer
Answer: He and I are standing near the bus stop.
Two people joined by 'and' create a plural subject, which requires the plural verb 'are'.
Test the Verb by Replacing the Whole Subject with 'We'
A quick method helps you choose the right verb every time. Identify the whole subject, replace 'he and I' with 'we', and listen to the verb that follows naturally. You say 'we are', never 'we am', which confirms that 'are' is the right choice. Do not choose your verb by glancing only at the nearest word 'I'. This replacement check also works smoothly with 'my cousin and I' or 'she and I'. Mentioning the other person first is standard polite English, although 'I and he are' takes the exact same plural verb.
-
My cousin and I are ready to serve the soup.
Why it works: Replacing my cousin and I with we produces we are ready, proving are is correct.
-
She and I are organizing the volunteer schedule.
Why it works: The compound subject equals we, so are agrees with the two people named.
You can practise this again in Come down with and He and I at the Cooking Class.
Your turn
Why is 'are' correct in the sentence 'My brother and I are washing dishes'?
Answer: The entire subject means 'we', which takes the plural verb 'are'.
Show the answer
Answer: The entire subject means 'we', which takes the plural verb 'are'.
Substituting 'we' for 'my brother and I' shows clearly that the joint subject needs 'are'.
Compare Singular Subjects with Compound Plural Subjects
Reviewing singular and plural forms side by side prevents confusion when you write. When 'I' is the only subject, use 'am' in the present and 'was' in the past. When 'he' stands alone, use 'is' in the present and 'was' in the past. As soon as both individuals join together with 'and', use 'are' in the present and 'were' in the past. You can use 'are' before a description, a location, or an ongoing activity without altering the verb agreement.
| Subject | Present Tense | Past Tense | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | was | I am hungry / I was hungry |
| he | is | was | He is upstairs / He was upstairs |
| we | are | were | We are cooking / We were cooking |
| he and I | are | were | He and I are making lunch / He and I were making lunch |
-
He and I are upstairs looking for spare aprons.
Why it works: The compound subject precedes a location and takes the present plural are.
-
He and I were pleased with the warm turnout yesterday.
Why it works: Two people in the past take were, matching the plural subject rule.
Your turn
Which sentence shows correct past tense agreement for two people?
Answer: He and I were at the community center yesterday.
Show the answer
Answer: He and I were at the community center yesterday.
In the past tense, a plural subject meaning 'we' takes 'were' rather than 'was'.
Form Negatives and Questions Without Adding Extra Auxiliary Verbs
Forming negatives and questions with 'he and I' follows standard rules for the verb 'to be'. To make a negative statement, simply add 'not' directly after 'are', or use the contraction 'aren't'. To form a question, move 'are' to the beginning of the clause ahead of the complete subject. Do not add helper verbs like 'do' or 'does'. For example, say 'Are he and I on kitchen duty?' rather than 'Do he and I are on kitchen duty?'
-
He and I are not available until twelve o'clock.
Why it works: Adding not after are preserves the plural agreement without changing subject order.
-
Are he and I responsible for locking the doors tonight?
Why it works: The question moves are in front of the complete compound subject.
Your turn
How do you ask whether you and another man share a volunteer task?
Answer: Are he and I on the cleanup team?
Show the answer
Answer: Are he and I on the cleanup team?
Questions with the verb 'be' move 'are' before the compound subject without adding 'do'.
Distinguish Subject Pronouns from Object Pronouns
Verb agreement and pronoun case are distinct grammar decisions that learners frequently mix together. Use subject pronouns like 'he and I' when the pair performs the action: 'He and I are cooking lunch.' Use object pronouns like 'him and me' when the pair receives an action or follows a preposition: 'Please join him and me.' You may hear native speakers use 'me and him' as subjects in informal conversation, but 'he and I' remains the dependable standard for professional writing and careful speech. Removing one person tests the pronoun case, but it cannot determine the plural verb.
-
He and I are preparing the dining tables.
Why it works: Subject pronouns are needed because both individuals perform the action.
-
The coordinator brought two fresh aprons for him and me.
Why it works: Object pronouns follow the preposition for.
Your turn
Which sentence uses standard pronouns and correct verb agreement as the subject?
Answer: He and I are washing the pots after service.
Show the answer
Answer: He and I are washing the pots after service.
'He and I' supplies the correct subject pronouns, and 'are' provides plural verb agreement.
Give Each Person a Separate Verb Only in Separate Clauses
A clause is a group of words containing its own subject and verb. When two people share one single verb, they form one compound subject that requires 'are': 'He and I are hungry.' However, if you write two independent clauses joined by a coordinating word, each person receives an individual verb: 'He is hungry, and I am hungry.' In the separate-clause version, 'he' takes 'is' and 'I' takes 'am'. Establishing who 'he' refers to before using pronouns ensures your listener understands who shares the activity.
-
Julian is in the kitchen, and I am setting the tables.
Why it works: Two separate clauses give Julian the verb is and I the verb am.
-
He and I are ready to open the food service line.
Why it works: A single clause with a compound subject takes the plural verb are.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly divides two actions into two separate clauses?
Answer: He is chopping onions, and I am boiling water.
Show the answer
Answer: He is chopping onions, and I am boiling water.
Each independent clause has its own singular subject matching its singular verb.
Recognize Weak Pronunciations of 'And' and 'Are' in Fast Speech
In natural everyday speech, small grammatical words frequently lose their full vowel sounds. The conjunction 'and' regularly reduces to a quick /ən/, causing 'he and I' to sound like 'he-ən-I'. Similarly, the verb 'are' often becomes an unstressed schwa sound. British and Australian speakers commonly drop the audible /r/ before a following consonant, whereas American speakers typically pronounce the rhotic /r/. An audible /r/ is not required for correctness. Listening for the subject boundary rather than waiting for isolated words helps you recognize the phrase instantly.
-
He and I are eager to start the morning shift.
Why it works: Before a vowel like eager, linking r sounds smooth in all major varieties of English.
-
He and I are ready whenever the guests arrive.
Why it works: In connected speech, and contracts to /ən/ while are connects directly to ready.
Your turn
What sound change often happens to 'and' in the spoken phrase 'he and I'?
Answer: It reduces to a short unstressed sound like /ən/.
Show the answer
Answer: It reduces to a short unstressed sound like /ən/.
In rapid spoken English, 'and' commonly reduces to an unstressed /ən/ sound.
Recall the Whole-Subject Rule in Daily Messages
Applying the whole-subject rule without looking at a grammar table confirms your mastery. When writing about shared responsibilities, always check whether two people are acting together under one verb. If someone writes 'He and I am ready', correct the verb immediately to 'are'. You can also combine two repetitive statements like 'Tom is driving' and 'I am driving' into one clean sentence: 'Tom and I are driving.' Practice this pattern when explaining shared plans with coworkers or friends. For more practice with spoken phrases, explore /micro-listenings/1-2/, and review /grammar/future-plans/ to expand your scheduling skills.
-
My neighbor and I are driving to the food bank this afternoon.
Why it works: Combining two individual drivers into one compound subject requires are.
-
He and I are happy to help with tomorrow's deliveries.
Why it works: The shared feeling takes are because the complete subject represents two people.
Your turn
How should you combine 'David is cooking' and 'I am cooking' into one sentence?
Answer: David and I are cooking.
Show the answer
Answer: David and I are cooking.
Combining the two subjects with 'and' creates a plural subject that takes 'are'.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
-
Not this:
He and I am waiting for the train.Say: He and I are waiting for the train.
The complete subject refers to two people, so it takes plural 'are'.
-
Not this:
He and I is ready for the interview.Say: He and I are ready for the interview.
Two people form a plural subject, not a singular subject.
-
Not this:
Do he and I are on the guest list?Say: Are he and I on the guest list?
Questions with 'be' move 'are' before the subject without adding 'do'.
-
Not this:
He and I was at the office yesterday.Say: He and I were at the office yesterday.
A plural subject takes 'were' in the past tense.
Before you go
Remember this
Always look at the complete subject before choosing your verb. If the subject contains two people joined by 'and', replace the phrase mentally with 'we': because you say 'we are', you write 'he and I are'. Reserve 'am' strictly for sentences where 'I' stands completely alone as the single subject.
Follow MicroEnglish
New lessons, short videos and quick quizzes every day. Pick the app you already use.
Listen first
Listen and write
Listen, type what you hear, then choose Check my answer. Use a hint when you get stuck.
Your session
Start a 15-minute session 15 min
Watch a short part, answer one question, practise what you heard, then check in with the tutor.
The first part is free. Members continue to part 2 and can ask for more.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
He and I are early every Monday morning.
The subject 'he and I' refers to two individuals, so standard grammar requires the plural verb 'are'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
He and I are eager to prepare soup today.
The compound subject equals 'we', requiring the plural verb 'are' rather than 'am'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
He and I are active in our community hall every Sunday. When extra groceries arrive by van, we carry each paper carton inside together.
'He and I' forms a plural subject that demands 'are'. In the second sentence, 'we' reinforces that two people are working together.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
Read the transcript
He and I are open about our weekly kitchen shifts. My cousin prepares fresh onions while I wash cooking pots in our sink. Whenever hungry visitors arrive before noon, we serve hot soup quickly so everyone feels welcome. Working together makes each morning easy for both of us.
'He and I are' starts the passage with a plural subject and verb. In subsequent clauses, individual subjects take individual verbs ('cousin prepares', 'I wash').
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Practice complete
You listened closely.
Your result is saved in this browser.
Keep your progress. Your practice is saved on this device only. Create a free account to keep it everywhere.
Create a free accountThat was today's free lesson. Tomorrow you get another one. Want more today? See membership.
Create a free SubLearn account to keep this progress across devices.
Save my progressYour turn
Say it your way
Describe a shared volunteer project with a colleague or friend. Explain what both of you are doing today and how you divide the work.
Use: he and I are or am: Choosing the Right Verb
You could start with “My partner and I are currently working on…”
Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
Shadow
Say it along with the speaker
He and I are early every Monday morning.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “he and I are or am: Choosing the Right Verb”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Test yourself
Listening tests are included with membership. Try the free dictation first, then decide whether to continue.
Listening 1 of 2 Part of membership
Listening 2 of 2 Part of membership
Write your own response
Choose a situation and write 30–50 words in your own wording. This is separate from typing the exact words in a recording.
Check your own writing
Read one possible response
Use these checks to revise your message. Grammar and meaning are not automatically graded. Each task keeps its own draft in this browser tab.
Questions about "He and I are or am: Choosing the Right Verb"
Is it 'he and I are' or 'he and I am'?
'He and I are' is the correct form in standard English. The word 'and' joins two individuals into one plural subject. Because you are talking about two people together, the sentence requires the plural verb 'are'. 'He and I am' is incorrect because 'am' only pairs with the singular subject 'I' when standing alone.
He and I are responsible for cooking lunch today.
I am responsible for slicing the bread.
Why do I use 'are' when 'I' comes right before it?
Grammar rules in English match the verb to the complete subject, not just the nearest word. In 'He and I are ready', the complete subject includes both 'he' and 'I'. Since two people equal 'we', you select 'are'. Choosing 'am' merely because it sits next to 'I' ignores the first person named in the subject.
He and I are ready to begin the meeting.
We are ready to begin the meeting.
Can I say 'I and he are'?
Grammatically, 'I and he are' is correct because the subject is still plural and takes 'are'. However, putting the other person first as 'he and I' is standard social courtesy in English. While listeners will understand 'I and he are', naming yourself last sounds much more natural and polite to native speakers.
He and I are traveling to Chicago tomorrow morning.
I and he are both registered for the seminar.
Should I say 'he and I' or 'him and me'?
Use 'he and I' when the phrase does the action as the subject of the sentence. Use 'him and me' when the phrase receives an action or follows a preposition like 'to', 'for', or 'with'. You can test this by removing the other person: you would say 'Send the email to me', so you say 'Send the email to him and me'.
He and I are cleaning the community kitchen.
The manager gave the keys to him and me.
How do I make a question with 'he and I'?
To form a question, place the plural verb 'are' at the very beginning of the clause before the subject. Do not add auxiliary verbs like 'do' or 'does'. For example, turn the statement 'He and I are scheduled today' into 'Are he and I scheduled today?' The verb remains plural because two people are still involved.
Are he and I on cleanup duty tonight?
Are he and I permitted to park here?
Is the past form 'he and I was' or 'he and I were'?
The correct past form is 'he and I were'. Just as the present tense uses the plural verb 'are', the past tense requires the plural verb 'were' for two people. You only use 'was' when speaking about one person alone, such as 'he was' or 'I was'. Combining them into a joint subject demands 'were'.
He and I were delighted with the final score.
I was delighted with the final score.
Questions & comments
Ask about this lesson, share an example, or help another learner.
