The first person plural: 'we' (two or more people)

We can include the listener or not

Let's go shall we⁹ (including the listener)

We re staying here What about you? (not including the listener) We is often used to mean 'anyone/everyone', e g in newspapers

We should applaud the government s efforts to create more jobs We is used in the same way in general statements

We all fear the unknown

The third person plural: 'they' (two or more people, things, etc.)

They can stand for persons, animals or things already mentioned
John and Susan phoned They re coming round this evening
Look at those cows! They never stop eating

Our curtains look dirty They need a good wash

Personal pronouns

They can be used in general statements to mean 'people' They say (or People say) oil prices will be going up soon

They is also commonly used to refer to 'the authorities' They re putting up oil prices again soon

They is also used to mean 'someone else, not me' If you ask at Reception they will tell you where it is

For they in place of anyone, etc [> 4.40]

For the use of we you and they with both and all [> 5.19-20]

4.5.8 Omission of subject in abbreviated statements

In everyday speech, we sometimes omit subject pronouns Found this in the garden Know who it belongs to? (= / found this in the garden Do you know who it belongs to?)

Object pronouns

Object pronouns replace nouns in object positions They can be

- direct objects [> 1.9] Have you met Marilyn? I ve never met her

- indirect objects [> 1.9] If you see Jim give him my regards

- objects of prepositions [> 8.1] / really feel sorry for them In polite usage it is usual to avoid mentioning yourself first

They were met by John and me (in preference to me and John) We often use both and all with you to avoid ambiguity (since you can refer to both or all) [> 5.19-20]