sequence of personal pronouns

English grammar questions from ESL learners

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sequence of personal pronouns

New postby Teo » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:10 am

The normal sequence of personal pronouns is as follows:

singular: [you, (s)he and I]; plural [we, you and they]

However, according to Treasury of English Grammar, when we want to express something unpleasant,

the sequence of personal pronouns is as follows:

singular [I, (s)he and you]; plural [they, you and we]

For example,

I, he and you will be punished for being late.

They, you and we should leave there at once.

Can any native speaker tell me whether the above rules are true or not?
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Thank you very much for your reply.
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Re: sequence of personal pronouns

New postby Alan » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:29 am

These are not grammar rules but conventions of usage.

You would probably do well to follow them, but you will not be grammatically 'incorrect' if you do not.
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