Another he/him

[titan2]

The following question is based on the fact that Jones was Prime Minister.

Smith became Prime Minister after Jones. If I want to use a pronoun instead, which of these is correct?

Smith became PM after he/him.

If this is an example of a linking verb then we have a subjective compliment and "he" would be correct.

 

[dwipper]

'Became' is an example of a linking verb, but it is linking 'Smith' to PM. Your he/him question is part of a prepositional phrase with 'after,' so you would use 'him.' The only exception to this might be if you were implying "after he did," but I don't think that really works in this case.

 

[titan2]

So can I conclude that a prepositional phrase always takes the objective form of a pronoun?

 

[Joelline]

Absolutely--or at least always in grammatically correct English.

 

[dwipper]

So can I conclude that a prepositional phrase always takes the objective form of a pronoun?

You use the objective form unless the prepositional phrase is actually a prepositional clause with a verb.

Smith became PM [after him].

Smith became PM after [he left].