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.
