He and I are or am – Which is Correct?

Most people get confused when to use are and am when two personal pronouns are joined with a conjunction in a clause. While the rule is to use are with plural subjects, He and I are or am can be very confusing.

He and I are or am: which is correct?

The correct expression would be “he and I are” and not “he and I am”. Although the pronoun I stands singular before the use of the auxiliary verb, when I is connected to he with conjunction and, it becomes plural. For plural subjects, the use of a plural verb is a must. Therefore, the correct answer is “he and I are”.

The basic point here is that, are is used for plural subjects, and am is used for only singular I. That means, when two pronouns are connected with and, they become plural subjects even though the last ending pronoun is presented in its singular form.

Therefore, the use of plural verb are with he and I is correct and not am.

For example:

• He and I are leaving tonight. (correct)
• He and I am leaving tonight. (wrong)
• He and I are going to throw a party. (correct)
• He and I am going to throw a party.(wrong)

To make it simple, am can be used with he and I only when there is a use of either or neither nor.

For example:

• Either he or I am going to market.
• Neither he nor I am too religious.

‘He and I’ in a Sentence

• He and I went to the store together.
• We decided to cook dinner, so he and I went to the grocery store.
• He and I are planning a trip to Europe next summer.
• The movie was hilarious, and he and I were laughing throughout.
• He and I have been friends for over ten years.
• He and I are passionate about music and often go to concerts together.
• He and I are thinking about starting a business together.
• He and I are both avid runners and often go for early morning jogs.
• He and I are big fans of sci-fi movies and enjoy discussing them.
• He and I share a love of literature and often discuss our favorite books.
• He and I went on a road trip last year and had a blast exploring new places.
• He and I love to cook and often try out new recipes together.
• He and I are both interested in photography and enjoy taking pictures together.
• He and I are both passionate about environmental issues and often volunteer our time to causes we care about.
• He and I share an interest in art and often visit galleries and museums together.
• He and I both enjoy playing sports and are members of a local basketball team.
• He and I went skiing last winter and had a great time on the slopes.
• He and I love to dance and often go to salsa clubs together.
• He and I are interested in history and enjoy visiting historical sites together.
• He and I are interested in hiking and often go on weekend adventures together.
• He and I both enjoy exploring new places and trying out new restaurants.
• He and I share a musical interest and often go to live concerts together.

‘Either he or I’ in a Sentence

• Either he or I must go to the store to pick up more milk.
• I’m unsure if either he or I left the keys on the counter.
• Either he or I will have to lead the team meeting today.
• I’m unsure if either he or I set the alarm for the right time.
• Either he or I will have to attend the conference in Paris next month.
• I can’t decide if either he or I should make dinner tonight.
• Either he or I will have to take the dog for a walk.
• I’m unsure if either he or I left the car windows down.
• Either he or I will have to give the presentation at the annual meeting.
• I can’t decide if either he or I should volunteer to help at the fundraiser.

‘Neither he nor I’ in a Sentence

• Neither he nor I know the answer to that question.
• I’m not sure if either of us brought the map, but neither he nor I remember seeing it.
• Neither he nor I have ever been skydiving before.
• I’m not sure if either of us signed up for the marathon, but neither he nor I remember doing so.
• Neither he nor I want to do the dishes tonight.
• I’m not sure if either of us booked a hotel for the trip, but neither he nor I can find the reservation.
• Neither he nor I am good at math.
• I’m not sure if either of us turned off the stove, but neither he nor I can remember doing so.
• Neither he nor I am going to the concert tonight.
• I’m not sure if either of us invited John to the party, but neither he nor I remember doing so.