Micro-listening
My Colleague and I: Choosing the Right Pronoun
Is saying 'I and my colleague' grammatically incorrect in English?
The pronoun 'I' functions as a subject, meaning it refers to the person performing an action or being described by a linking verb. The pronoun 'me' serves as an object, which means it receives the action of a transitive verb or completes the meaning of a preposition.
Key points
- In a compound phrase like 'my colleague and I', both words together share a single grammatical job in the sentence.
- Determine the grammatical role before arranging the words.
- When the pair performs the action, say 'my colleague and I'.
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Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
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Examples
My colleague and I submitted the quarterly budget yesterday morning.
Why it works: The pair performed the action of submitting the budget, so the subject pronoun I is required.
3 more examples
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The regional director invited my colleague and me to tour the warehouse.
The director performed the action, and the pair received the invitation, which calls for the object pronoun me.
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Our office manager ordered ergonomic keyboards for my colleague and me.
The preposition for requires an object pronoun, making me the correct choice.
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Please keep this schedule update between my colleague and me.
The preposition between requires an object pronoun rather than the subject pronoun I.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exercise
Decide Who Performs the Action
When you talk about activities at work, start by identifying who performs the main verb. If you and your coworker carry out the task together, the pair acts as the grammatical subject of the sentence. In that subject position, standard English requires the pronoun I rather than me. This rule applies whether the pair sits at the beginning of the sentence or follows an introductory time phrase.
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Yesterday, my colleague and I presented the survey results.
Why it works: The pair presented the results, so the subject pronoun I is needed.
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My colleague and I review customer feedback every Monday.
Why it works: Both workers perform the review, making I the proper subject pronoun.
Your turn
Choose the correct phrase: Earlier today, (my colleague and I / my colleague and me / me and my colleague) analyzed the client data.
Answer: my colleague and I
Show the answer
Answer: my colleague and I
The pair performed the analysis, so the sentence requires the subject pronoun I placed after the coworker.
Pick the Object Form for Received Actions
When an outside person performs an action that affects both you and your coworker, the pair serves as the object of the verb. In this position, the sentence requires the object pronoun me rather than I. Many learners mistakenly insert I here because they believe it sounds more formal, but standard grammar requires me whenever the pair receives the action.
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The operations director congratulated my colleague and me on the product launch.
Why it works: The director completed the action, and the two coworkers received the congratulations.
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The workshop leader trained my colleague and me on the new database software.
Why it works: The trainer conducted the training, so the pair functions as the direct object.
You can practise this again in John and I or Me: Choosing the Right Pronoun and He and I are or am: Choosing the Right Verb.
Your turn
Which pronoun completes the sentence: The team leader selected my colleague and ___ for the project.
Answer: me
Show the answer
Answer: me
The leader did the selecting, so the pair receives the action and requires the object pronoun me.
Keep the Object Pronoun After Prepositions
Prepositions like to, with, for, from, and about link nouns and pronouns to other parts of a sentence. A pronoun that follows a preposition always takes the object form. Even though a phrase like with my colleague and me contains two people, the grammatical requirement remains unchanged. Never shift to I simply because the sentence feels polite or formal.
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The vendor sent updated software licenses to my colleague and me.
Why it works: The pronoun follows the preposition to, so the object form me is correct.
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Our supervisor scheduled a private debrief for my colleague and me.
Why it works: The preposition for requires an object pronoun to complete its phrase.
Your turn
Select the correct option: The client shared the project brief with (my colleague and I / my colleague and me / I and my colleague).
Answer: my colleague and me
Show the answer
Answer: my colleague and me
The phrase follows the preposition with, which requires the object pronoun me.
Remove the Other Person to Test the Form
A dependable way to confirm the right pronoun is the one-person drop test. Temporarily remove the words my colleague and from the sentence, then read the sentence using only I or me. If the single pronoun sounds natural and grammatically sound alone, that same pronoun remains correct when your coworker joins the phrase. This quick test prevents second-guessing during spoken and written conversations.
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My colleague and I inspected the server room after the outage.
Why it works: Removing my colleague leaves I inspected the server room, confirming that I is correct.
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The human resources department contacted my colleague and me about our benefits.
Why it works: Removing my colleague leaves contacted me, confirming that me is required.
Your turn
Test this sentence by dropping the other person: The architect gave the floor plans to (my colleague and I / my colleague and me / my colleague and myself).
Answer: my colleague and me
Show the answer
Answer: my colleague and me
Dropping the other person leaves 'gave the floor plans to me', proving me is correct.
Place the Other Person First for Politeness
English speakers generally place the other person before themselves as a matter of conversational etiquette and established style. Writing my colleague and I or my colleague and me sounds balanced and considerate in professional emails. While saying I and my colleague communicates the exact same facts, it often strikes native listeners as blunt or self-centered. Adopt the standard sequence to maintain an easy, professional tone.
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My colleague and I will represent our department at the annual conference.
Why it works: Placing the coworker first follows standard professional etiquette.
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Please address future invoices to my colleague and me.
Why it works: The other person comes before me while retaining the required object pronoun.
Your turn
Which phrase represents the standard formal word order for a subject role?
Answer: my colleague and I
Show the answer
Answer: my colleague and I
Putting the coworker first while using the subject pronoun I is standard in formal contexts.
Recognize Weak Conjunctions in Fast Speech
In rapid everyday office speech, native speakers rarely pronounce the word and with a full vowel and a distinct final d sound. Instead, and reduces to a quick unstressed sound like un, linking colleague directly to the pronoun. Because the conjunction shrinks, listeners must focus on the vowel of I or me to identify which grammatical case the speaker used. Listening for stress on the pronoun helps you understand the structure immediately.
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My colleague and I arrived before the main entrance opened.
Why it works: In natural speech, and reduces to an unstressed syllable between colleague and I.
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The manager called my colleague and me into the conference room.
Why it works: The pronoun me receives clear voicing even though the connecting word and reduces.
Your turn
Why does the phrase 'my colleague and I' sound like 'my colleague an I' in natural conversation?
Answer: The conjunction and regularly reduces to a weak unstressed sound in connected speech
Show the answer
Answer: The conjunction and regularly reduces to a weak unstressed sound in connected speech
In fluent speech, and frequently loses its /d/ sound and weakens to /ən/ before a vowel or consonant.
Avoid Hypercorrection with Between
One of the most frequent grammar mistakes among native and non-native speakers alike is saying between you and I. Because school lessons repeatedly stress that my colleague and I sounds polished, speakers mistakenly apply I in places where an object pronoun is mandatory. The word between is always a preposition, meaning it must govern object pronouns. The correct phrasing is always between my colleague and me.
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Between my colleague and me, we manage over forty client accounts.
Why it works: The preposition between requires the object form me, not the subject form I.
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This arrangement remains strictly between my colleague and me.
Why it works: Even in confidential office matters, between must be followed by me.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly avoids hypercorrection?
Answer: Between my colleague and me, the assignment is nearly finished.
Show the answer
Answer: Between my colleague and me, the assignment is nearly finished.
Between is a preposition, so it must be followed by the object pronoun me.
Check Compound Phrases in Status Updates
Status updates and team emails frequently combine several actions in a single message. When drafting these messages, evaluate each clause independently rather than assuming one pronoun choice fits every sentence. You might act as the subject in your opening sentence and then receive feedback as an object in your concluding request. Checking each clause prevents mixed pronoun errors in your professional correspondence.
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My colleague and I finalized the slides, and the director praised my colleague and me.
Why it works: The first clause requires the subject I, while the second clause requires the object me.
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If you have questions, please write to my colleague and me before Friday.
Why it works: The request uses me after the preposition to.
Your turn
Choose the correct pair of pronouns: (My colleague and I / My colleague and me) drafted the summary, so send edits to (my colleague and I / my colleague and me).
Answer: My colleague and I; my colleague and me
Show the answer
Answer: My colleague and I; my colleague and me
The first clause needs the subject pronoun I, and the second clause needs the object pronoun me after the preposition to.
Before you go
Remember this
Determine the grammatical role before arranging the words. When the pair performs the action, say 'my colleague and I'. When the pair receives an action or follows a preposition, say 'my colleague and me'. Remove the other person's name to verify the pronoun quickly in any sentence.
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Read the transcript
My colleague and I agree on our new project schedule.
The pair functions as the subject performing the agreement, so the sentence uses the subject pronoun I.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
Our supervisor spoke with my colleague and me.
The pronoun me follows the preposition with, making the object pronoun correct.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
- 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 final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
- 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
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0:00
Read the transcript
Our branch manager assigned a new client account to my colleague and me, so we can organize every weekly review together.
The preposition to requires the object pronoun me rather than the subject pronoun I.
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
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During our weekly planning session, our department head praised my colleague and me. We prepared an impressive presentation on energy conservation, which impressed several regional directors. Tomorrow afternoon, my colleague and I organize an open training workshop so everyone can adopt our new guidelines easily.
The first sentence uses me because the pair receives praise from the department head. The final sentence uses I because the pair leads the workshop.
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.
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Describe a recent collaborative work project in 20 to 30 seconds. State what you and your partner achieved together, and mention who gave feedback to both of you.
Use: my Colleague and I: Choosing the Right Pronoun
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My colleague and I agree on our new project schedule.
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Questions about "My Colleague and I: Choosing the Right Pronoun"
Is saying 'I and my colleague' grammatically incorrect in English?
It is not strictly ungrammatical because 'I' remains a valid subject pronoun, but native speakers rarely say it. Polite workplace convention places the other person first. Using 'my colleague and I' sounds natural, respectful, and standard in professional correspondence.
My colleague and I drafted the quarterly report.
Why is 'between my colleague and I' considered incorrect?
The word 'between' is a preposition. In English grammar, every preposition must be followed by an object pronoun such as me, him, her, or us. Saying 'between my colleague and I' is an overcorrection caused by assuming that 'and I' is always superior to 'and me'.
Please keep this discussion between my colleague and me.
How can I quickly decide whether to use 'I' or 'me' in a meeting?
Drop the words 'my colleague and' and say the sentence with only yourself. If you would say 'call me', then say 'call my colleague and me'. If you would say 'I prepared the slides', then say 'my colleague and I prepared the slides'.
The client telephoned my colleague and me after lunch.
My colleague and I prepared the slides yesterday.
Can I say 'contact my colleague or myself' in an email?
No, using 'myself' in place of 'me' is a common workplace error. The reflexive pronoun 'myself' should only be used when you have already named yourself as the subject earlier in the same clause, as in 'I organized this myself'. In requests, use 'contact my colleague or me'.
Please contact my colleague or me if you need assistance.
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