|
A Pronoun Case Study
The “who or whom” quandary addressed in our
December 2006 newsletter resonated with many of
you, who requested more tips on pronoun usage.
Thank you for recommending this topic, which is a
great way to launch our 2007 newsletter series!
|
Since most pronoun errors are a result of using the
wrong case, let’s begin with a review of the three
pronoun cases.
Subjective (Pronoun as
a
subject of a sentence or clause)
I, you, he,
she, it, we, they, who
Example: She bought the
book.
Objective (Pronoun as an object
of a verb or preposition)
Me, you, him, her,
it, us, them, whom
Example: The book went
home with her.
Possessive (Pronoun shows
ownership)
My (mine), your (yours), his, her
(hers), its, our (ours), their (theirs),
whose
Example: The book is hers.
The following are examples of constructions that
cause pronoun confusion and tips for preventing
them.
Compound subjects or objects with pronouns or a
pronoun and a noun
Tip: Omit one pronoun or noun to
determine the correct case.
|
Incorrect |
Correct |
| Him and I enjoy trying
new
Italian restaurants. (You wouldn’t say, “Him
enjoys...”) |
He and I enjoy trying
new
Italian restaurants.
|
Me and Jon were the
first to
leave the party. (You wouldn’t say, “Me was...”)
|
Jon and I were the
first to
leave the party. (Courtesy suggests that I, we, me,
or us comes last.) |
| Our manager recognized Kathy
and I for our work on the conversion. (You
wouldn’t
say, “Our manager recognized I...”) |
Our manager recognized Kathy
and me for our work on the
conversion.
|
| Just between you and
I, the
book is a gift. ("Between" is a preposition, so the
pronouns that follow should be in the objective case.)
|
Just between you and me, the book is a
gift.
|
Pronouns followed by a noun
Tip: Determine if the pronoun is a subject
or an object and use the appropriate case.
|
Incorrect |
Correct |
| Us teachers spend
hours correcting homework assignments. (You
wouldn’t say, “Us spend...”) |
We teachers spend
hours correcting homework
assignments.
|
| The celebrity visited with
we senior citizens all morning. (You wouldn’t
say, “The celebrity visited with we...”) |
The celebrity visited with
us seniors all morning.
|
Predicate nominative, a pronoun or noun that follows
a linking verb and restates the subject
Tip: Use the same case as the subject.
Put the pronoun at the beginning of the sentence to
see what makes sense.
|
Incorrect |
Correct |
The president-elect is
her. (You wouldn't say, "Her is the president-
elect.")
|
The president-elect is
she. (She is the president-elect.)
|
Comparisons with than or as
Tip 1: We often omit words when making
comparisons, so use the pronouns as if you were
saying all the words.
|
Incorrect |
Correct
|
| Andy swims better than
her (does). |
Andy swims better than
she
(does). |
Tip 2: Consider the intended meaning of
your sentence. The
following are correct
but have different meanings.
Example: Jeannie likes traveling as much
as me. (...as much as she likes me.)
Example: Jeannie likes traveling as much as
I. (...as much as I like traveling.)
|
|
Reflexive pronouns (myself, herself, themselves)
Tip: Use these pronouns only when
referring to, or reflecting, the original subject, but
not as standalone subjects or objects.
Example: Sally recommended herself for
the
promotion. (“herself” refers to the subject “Sally.”)
Example: I myself will drive the boys to
football practice. (“myself” refers to the subject “I.”)
|
Incorrect |
Correct |
| Brad and
myself will
be at the conference. (You wouldn’t say, “Myself will
be...”) |
Brad and I will be at
the conference.
|
| Nancy sent the signed
documents to Lee and myself. (You wouldn’t
use "myself" unless the subject of the sentence is "I"
instead of Nancy.)
|
Nancy sent the signed
documents to Lee and
me.
|
Possessive pronouns
Tip 1: Use these pronouns alone: mine,
yours, his, hers, ours,
theirs,
whose.
Example: The green car is Hal’s; the
blue one is mine.
Tip 2: Use these pronouns to modify a
noun: my, your, his, her, its, our, their,
whose.
Example: When did Morris get his
driver’s license?
Our writing often reflects the way we speak;
however, our everyday language may include
expressions that are grammatically incorrect but
considered acceptable because we hear them spoken
so often. Since writing may be the only way we
communicate with many people in our professional
lives, adhering to what is correct ensures that we
project competence, foster confidence, and establish
credibility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ilana G. Traverse, Principal
|
|
