us

us — pronoun

1. the form of the word 'we' that comes after verbs, after prepositions, or after '

1.pronounA1
Definition

the form of the word 'we' that comes after verbs, after prepositions, or after 'be' — you use it when talking about yourself together with one or more other people.

Example

Aarav's grandmother taught us how to cook traditional Indian dishes.

verb + us (direct object)

Could you show us the way to the nearest hospital, please?

indirect object: show + [someone] + [something]

Common collocations
  • tell us
  • show us
  • help us
  • give us
  • with us
  • for us
  • to us
  • between us

Grammar Patterns

verb + us

preposition + us

be + us

Usage Note

Frequently used as both direct and indirect object. Unlike Chinese, which uses 我們 for both subject and object, English requires 'us' (not 'we') after verbs and prepositions. Subject form 'we' replaces 'us' after 'be' in formal writing, but 'it was us' is standard in speech.

Common Mistakes

The teacher gave we a test.
The teacher gave us a test.
after a verb, use 'us' instead of 'we'.
She sat between we and the window.
She sat between us and the window.
after a preposition like 'between', use 'us'.
We are going with we friends.
We are going with our friends.
'us' is not a possessive determiner; use 'our' before nouns.

2. used in informal British speech to mean 'me' — especially when asking for someth

2.pronounB1
Definition

used in informal British speech to mean 'me' — especially when asking for something or making a request to a person you know well.

Example

Give us a ring when you arrive at the station, Mum.

informal British request: give us = give me

Lend us your pen for a second, will you?

Common collocations
  • give us
  • lend us
  • pass us
  • show us
Synonyms
  • me

    standard pronoun; 'us' in this sense is a colloquial replacement for 'me'

Grammar Patterns

give us + noun

lend us + noun

verb + us

Usage Note

Only in informal British English, especially northern dialects. Not considered standard in writing or formal speech. The singular meaning ('me') is clear from context because the speaker is talking to one person about their own needs, not a group's.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using this sense in formal writing or American English — it is not accepted in either context.

❌ 'Give us a call' (said to a group, meaning 'give me') can cause confusion — the listener may think you mean 'give all of us a call'.

us — determiner

us — noun

us — adjective

us — abbreviation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'US' (with 'the' as 'the US') is the most common short form in news headlines and everyday speech. 'USA' (also with 'the') adds emphasis and is often used in international contexts, such as sports teams or formal documents. 'America' is the most casual and widely understood term, but it technically refers to the whole continent and can cause confusion. 'The United States' is the full formal name, used in official writing and speeches. 'The States' is an informal, friendly term common in travel conversation. Choose 'US' for neutral, everyday use; 'the United States' for formal writing; and 'America' for casual speech where the meaning is clear from context.

US ↗USAAmerica ↗the United Statesthe States

Common collocations

Phrases

  • the US
  • in the US
  • to the US
  • from the US
  • leave us
  • tell us
  • between us
  • with us
  • for us

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The pronoun 'us' comes from Old English 'ūs', the dative and accusative form of 'wē' (we), tracing back to Proto-Germanic '*uns', and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European '*n̥s'. The abbreviation 'US' for 'United States' has a completely separate origin — it emerged in the late 18th century as an initialism of the country's name after the American Declaration of Independence (1776), becoming common in official documents and postal markings by the early 19th century. These two words are homographs: the same written form with unrelated historical roots.