Using Pronouns Correctly

1
Using Pronouns Correctly
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case The objective case The
possessive case Solving special pronoun
problems Appositives Elliptical
constructions Reflexive and intensive
pronouns Who and whom Review A Review B
2
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
A pronoun takes the place of a noun.
The rider approaches slowly.
He
The rider watches the longhorns closely.
them
The riders horse is well trained.
His
3
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
Case is the form that a pronoun takes to show its
relationship to other words in a sentence.
Nominative Nominative Objective Possessive
Singular Singular Singular Singular Singular
First person First person I me my, mine
Second person Second person you you your, yours
Third person Third person he, she, it him, her, it his, her, hers, its
Plural Plural Plural Plural Plural
First person First person we us our, ours
Second person Second person you you your, yours
Third person Third person they them their, theirs
4
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
Pronouns in the nominative case are used as
subjects and as predicate nominatives.
Nominative case pronouns Nominative case pronouns
First person I, we
Second person you, you
Third person he, she, it, they
Subject
We compete in several sports.
Predicate nominative
The winner in the high hurdles was he.
5
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
The subject of a sentence tells whom or what the
sentence is about.
Subject
Manatees are large water mammals.
Subject
Although manatees are gentle, divers should not
touch or ride the animals.
6
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
A predicate nominative is a word or word group in
the predicate that identifies the subject or
refers to it.
The student with the pet iguanas was he.
The student with the pet iguanas was he.
Subject
Predicate
Predicate nominative
The most unusual reptiles in the show were they.
The most unusual reptiles in the show were they.
Subject
Predicate
Predicate nominative
7
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
A predicate nominative is connected to its
subject by a linking verb, usually a form of the
verb be.
Linking verb
Predicate nominative
The guitarist you heard might have been he.
The guitarist you heard might have been he.
The guitarist you heard might have been he.
Linking verb
Predicate nominative
The people in line were they.
The people in line were they.
The people in line were they.
8
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
Make sure the subject of a verb is in the
nominative case.
Subject
Rob and his friends shot some baskets.
his friends
they
?
Nominative case
they
Subject
Then Rob played by himself for an hour.
Rob
he
Nominative case
?
he
9
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
Grammar Gal Says...
To choose the correct pronoun form in a compound
subject, try using the pronoun by itself with the
verb.
Aaron and (he, him) rode the bus.
Aaron and he rode the bus.
Would you say he rode or him rode?
The correct pronoun is he.
10
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
nominative case
Make sure a predicate nominative is in the
nominative case.
Predicate nominative
The team leaders were Tom and Sara.
Tom and Sara
they
?
they
Nominative case
Predicate nominative
The more experienced caver is Sara.
Sara
she
?
Nominative case
she
11
What are the cases of personal pronouns?The
nominative case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. Mom and (me, I) went to see a musical.
2. Were (they, them) first in the region last
year or the year before?
3. In my opinion the best dancers were (he and
she, him and her).
4. (Us, We) collected boxes of old toys and games
for the garage sale.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns?The
nominative case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. Mom and (me, I) went to see a musical.
The pronoun is used as a subject, so the
nominative pronoun I is correct.
13
What are the cases of personal pronouns?The
nominative case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. Were (they, them) first in the region last
year or the year before?
The pronoun is used as a subject, so the
nominative pronoun they is correct.
14
What are the cases of personal pronouns?The
nominative case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. In my opinion the best dancers were (he and
she, him and her).
The pronouns are used as predicate nominatives,
so the nominative pronouns he and she are
correct.
15
What are the cases of personal pronouns?The
nominative case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
4. (Us, We) collected boxes of old toys and games
for the garage sale.
The pronoun is used as a subject, so the
nominative pronoun We is correct.
16
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
• 1. Cynthia and (me, I) took scuba-diving
  lessons.
• 2. Wyatt and (she, her) will pass out the sheet
  music.
• 3. How did you guess the winner would be (he,
  him)?
• You and (we, us) raised the most money for the
  dance.
• 5. The children on the parade float were (they,
  them).

End of Section
17
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
1. Cynthia and (me, I) took scuba-diving lessons.
2. Wyatt and (she, her) will pass out the sheet
music.
3. How did you guess the winner would be (he,
him)?
4. You and (we, us) raised the most money for the
dance.
5. The children on the parade float were (they,
them).
18
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Pronouns in the objective case are used as direct
objects, indirect objects, and objects of
prepositions.
Direct object
Objective case pronouns Objective case pronouns
First person me, us
Second person you, you
Third person him, her, it, them
Carmen has invited me to her party.
Indirect object
My uncle gave it a tuneup.
Object of preposition
Dont you sit in front of me in class?
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? Direct
object
A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word group
that tells who or what receives the action of a
verb or shows the result of the action.
Direct object
This shelf holds books about racing.
books
holds what?
books
Direct object
Clayton told Gary about the race.
Gary
Gary
told whom?
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What are the cases of personal pronouns?
Indirect object
An indirect object tells to whom or to what (or
for whom or for what) the action of a transitive
verb is done.
Indirect object
Direct object
I read the children a scary story.
children
story
read a story to whom?
children
Notice that indirect objects appear in sentences
that also have direct objects.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? Object
of a preposition
An object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun
in a prepositional phrase.
Object of preposition
Object of preposition
Preposition
Preposition
near the window
near the window
near the window
in front of the fireplace
in front of the fireplace
in front of the fireplace
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
A direct object should be in the objective case.
Direct object
My uncle took ______ to the State Fair.
us
?
us
Objective case
Direct object
I saw Barbara and ______ on the Ferris wheel.
them
?
them
Objective case
23
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
An indirect object should be in the objective
case.
Indirect object
Tony found _____ a new home.
them
?
Objective case
them
Indirect object
He gave Teresa and _____ the tiny kittens.
her
?
Objective case
her
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
An object of a preposition should be in the
objective case.
Object of preposition
Aside from _____, who else will be coming?
us
?
us
Objective case
Object of preposition
The package was addressed to you and _____.
me
?
me
Objective case
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Grammar Gal Says...
Youve probably heard phrases like these before,
but they are incorrect.
me
for you and I

him
them
between he and they


Objective pronouns should be used in these
phrases.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. My brother told (I, me) a really funny joke.
2. Did you call Natasha or (she, her)?
3. Everyone except Brandon and (he, him) had
ridden on the subway.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. My brother told (I, me) a really funny joke.
The pronoun is used as an indirect object, so the
objective pronoun me is correct.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. Did you call Natasha or (she, her)?
The pronoun is used as a direct object, so the
objective pronoun her is correct.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
objective case
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. Everyone except Brandon and (he, him) had
ridden on the subway.
The pronoun is used as the object of a
preposition, so the objective pronoun him is
correct.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns?
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses. 1.
The guests thanked Rita and (she, her) for the
party. 2. The first guests to arrive were (they,
them). 3. Are Gloria and (I, me) playing in the
first match? 4. What were you telling Chuck and
(we, us) earlier? 5. An e-mail from (he, him)
just arrived.
End of Section
31
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
1. The guests thanked Rita and (she, her) for the
party.
2. The first guests to arrive were (they, them).
3. Are Gloria and (I, me) playing in the first
match?
4. What were you telling Chuck and (we, us)
earlier?
5. An e-mail from (he, him) just arrived.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Pronouns in the possessive case are used to show
ownership or possession.
Possessive case pronouns Possessive case pronouns
First person my, mine, our, ours
Second person your, yours
Third person his, her, hers, its, their, theirs
My car wont start.
Well have to ride in hers.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
The possessive pronouns mine, yours, his, hers,
its, ours, and theirs are used in the same ways
pronouns in the nominative and objective cases
are used.
Her sister and mine play soccer.
Subject
This tennis racquet is hers.
Predicate nominative
Have you finished yours yet?
Direct object
His father gave ours a tour.
Indirect object
Apart from his, no score was perfect.
Object of preposition
34
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
The possessive pronouns my, your, his, her, its,
and their are used as adjectives before nouns.
Does your brother play the guitar?
Where does he buy his guitar strings?
35
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Some authorities prefer to call these possessive
forms adjectives.
my our your his her its their
Did you look up their address?
Follow your teachers instructions on what to
call these words.
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Use the clues in parentheses to fill in the
blanks with appropriate possessive pronouns.
1. The notebook on the desk is _______. (The
notebook belongs to Laura.)
2. Please pick up _______ clothes. (The clothes
belong to you.)
3. For practice, Jeff repaired _______ bicycles.
(The bicycles belong to Jeffs friends.)
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What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Use the clues in parentheses to fill in the
blanks with appropriate possessive pronouns.
hers
1. The notebook on the desk is _______. (The
notebook belongs to Laura.)
Laura is the name of a female, so the possessive
pronoun hers is correct.
38
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Use the clues in parentheses to fill in the
blanks with appropriate possessive pronouns.
your
2. Please pick up _______ clothes. (The clothes
belong to you.)
When used as an adjective to modify a noun, the
possessive form of you is your.
39
What are the cases of personal pronouns? The
possessive case
Use the clues in parentheses to fill in the
blanks with appropriate possessive pronouns.
their
3. For practice, Jeff repaired _______ bicycles.
(The bicycles belong to Jeffs friends.)
Friends is a plural word, so the possessive
pronoun their is correct.
40
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
• 1. Robert has trained (him, his) new puppy.
• 2. (They, Them) brought cheese and crackers to
  the party.
• 3. The college sent some information to (we, us).
• Make sure (your, yours) name is on every page.
• 5. Carla has completed her application, but I
  havent started (my, mine).

End of Section
41
What are the cases of personal pronouns?
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
1. Robert has trained (him, his) new puppy.
2. (They, Them) brought cheese and crackers to
the party.
3. The college sent some information to (we, us).
4. Make sure (your, yours) name is on every page.
5. Carla has completed her application, but I
havent started (my, mine).
42
Solving special pronoun problems Appositives
A pronoun used as an appositive should be in the
same case as the word to which it refers.
Appositive
Subject
Both teachers, Mr. Petrakis and ___, coach the
team.
Both teachers, Mr. Petrakis and ___, coach the
team.
Mr. Petrakis and he
The appositive identifies the subject, teachers.
Since a subject is in the nominative case, a
pronoun in an appositive identifying a subject
should also be in the nominative case.
43
Solving special pronoun problems Appositives
A pronoun used as an appositive should be in the
same case as the word to which it refers.
Direct object
Appositive
Joel and me
The director chose us, Joel and ___, for major
roles.
The director chose us, Joel and ___, for major
roles.
The appositive identifies the direct object, us.
Since a direct object is in the objective case, a
pronoun in an appositive identifying a direct
object should also be in the objective case.
44
Solving special pronoun problems Appositives
An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside
another noun or pronoun to identify or describe
it.
Appositive
My cousin always orders salad with dinner.
My cousin Maria always orders salad with dinner.
The appositive Maria identifies the noun cousin.
Appositive
Riboflavin is found in leafy vegetables.
Riboflavin, a vitamin, is found in leafy
vegetables.
The appositive a vitamin identifies the noun
riboflavin.
45
Solving special pronoun problems Elliptical
constructions
A pronoun following than or as in an elliptical
construction should be in the same case as it
would be if the construction were completed.
The tenor sang louder than he sang.
Completed
The tenor sang louder than he.
Elliptical
The accident hurt Tim as much as the accident
hurt her.
Completed
The accident hurt Tim as much as her.
Elliptical
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Solving special pronoun problems Elliptical
constructions
An elliptical construction is a clause from which
words have been omitted. The word than or as
often begins an elliptical construction.
I understand him better
than she understands him.
than she.
Complete clause
Elliptical construction
The practice helps Roger
as much as it helps me.
as much as me.
Complete clause
Elliptical construction
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Solving special pronoun problemsElliptical
constructions
In an elliptical construction the meaning depends
on the pronoun form. Be sure to use the form that
expresses your meaning.
Grammar Gal Says...
I understand him better than she.
I understand him better than she understands him.
I understand him better than her.
I understand him better than I understand her.
48
Solving special pronoun problemsReflexive and
intensive pronouns
Reflexive and intensive pronouns have the same
forms.
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
First person myself, ourselves
Second person yourself, yourselves
Third person himself, herself, itself, themselves
I think I will treat myself to a movie.
Reflexive
Evelyn herself raked all the leaves.
Intensive
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Solving special pronoun problems Reflexive and
intensive pronouns
A reflexive pronoun refers to the subject of the
sentence or clause and may serve as . . .
I cant believe I hurt myself laughing.
Direct object
Daniel bought himself a new book.
Indirect object
Clarice and Sarah should be proud of themselves
for completing the work.
Object of preposition
Predicate nominative
Sharon is not herself today.
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Solving special pronoun problems Reflexive and
intensive pronouns
An intensive pronoun emphasizes its antecedent
and has no grammatical function.
Simon himself painted those pictures.
The pronoun himself emphasizes Simon.
Jorge and Kim installed the new hard drive
themselves.
Themselves emphasizes Jorge and Kim.
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Solving special pronoun problemsReflexive and
intensive pronouns
The words hisself, theirself, and theirselves are
nonstandard. Use himself and themselves instead.
Grammar Gal Says...
Louis built the new benches hisself.
himself.
Students should learn to do that for theirselves.
themselves.
52
Solving special pronoun problems Reflexive and
intensive pronouns
Do not use a pronoun ending in self or selves
instead of a personal pronoun.
Nonstandard
Standard
I
Mariah and myself went to the rodeo.
Myself does not refer to or emphasize any other
word.
Can I depend on Jay and yourself?
you
Nonstandard
Standard
Yourself does not refer to or emphasize any other
word.
53
Solving special pronoun problems
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. Nolan has been working at that grocery store
longer than (he, him).
2. The comedians, Ken and (she, her), got a
standing ovation.
3. If you are hungry, you can fix (you, yourself)
a sandwich.
54
Solving special pronoun problems
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. Nolan has been working at that grocery store
longer than (he, him).
The pronoun in the elliptical construction should
have the same case as the complete clause would
have. The complete clause would be than he has
been working at the grocery store. The nominative
form he is correct.
55
Solving special pronoun problems
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. The comedians, Ken and (she, her), got a
standing ovation.
The pronoun in the appositive should be in the
same case as the word to which it refers. The
appositive refers to comedians, the subject, so
the nominative pronoun she is correct.
56
Solving special pronoun problems
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. If you are hungry, you can fix (you, yourself)
a sandwich.
The pronoun refers to the subject you, so it is a
reflexive pronoun. The reflexive pronoun form is
yourself.
57
Solving special pronoun problems
On Your Own
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses to correct each sentence below. 1. He
remained true to (him, himself) and his own
values. 2. Can she really be six months older
than (I, me)? 3. Mr. Webster gave a prize to his
best students, Tim and (we, us). 4. We promised
that we would do all the carpentry work
(ourself, ourselves). 5. The mural was painted
by two seniors, Chad and (he, him).
End of Section
58

Solving special pronoun problems
Answers
Choose the correct form, who or whom, to complete
each sentence below.
1. He remained true to himself and his own values.
2. Can she really be six months older than I?
3. Mr. Webster gave a prize to his best students,
Tim and us.
4. We promised that we would do all the
carpentry work ourselves.
5. The mural was painted by two seniors, Chad and
him.
59
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
The use of who or whom in a subordinate clause
depends on how the pronoun functions in the
clause.
Nominative case Objective case
who whoever whom whomever
Subject
Is there someone here who can help me?
who
Object of a preposition
Sharla, whom I practice with, is a good tutor.
whom
60
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) has a
subject and a verb but does not express a
complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a
sentence.
If you finish the exam early, you may leave class.
If you finish the exam early, you may leave class.
If you finish the exam early, you may leave class.
Subject
Verb
Subordinate clauses begin with words such as
when, whom, because, which, that, if, and until.
61
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
To choose between who and whom in a subordinate
clause, follow these steps
STEP 1
Find the subordinate clause.
Do you know (who, whom) borrowed the ladder?
The subordinate clause is (who, whom) borrowed
the ladder.
62
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Decide how the pronoun is used in the clause.
STEP 2
Subject?
(who, whom) borrowed the ladder
Predicate nominative?
The pronoun is used as the subject of the verb
borrowed.
Direct object?
Indirect object?
Object of preposition?
63
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Determine what case the pronoun should be in.
STEP 3
(who, whom) borrowed the ladder
Is a subject in the nominative or objective case?
The subject should be in the nominative case.
64
Solving special pronoun problems Who and whom
To help choose between who or whom, rearrange the
words in the subordinate clause to make a normal
sentence.
Grammar Gal Says...
I cant decide (who, whom) the winner is.
the winner is (who, whom)
65
Solving special pronoun problems Who and whom
Grammar Gal Says...
Substitute a nominative case pronoun (he, she, or
they) for who or an objective case pronoun (him,
her, or them) for whom.
correct
the winner was (who, whom)
the winner was (she, her)
the winner was she
If the nominative case pronoun is correct, use
who. If the objective case pronoun is correct,
use whom.
I cant decide who the winner is.
66
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Select the correct form of the pronoun.
STEP 4
Nominative case
who
Objective case
whom
(who, whom) borrowed the ladder
(who, whom) borrowed the ladder
The nominative form is who.
Answer
Do you know who borrowed the ladder?
67
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Apply the steps to the following sentence
Those are the teachers (who, whom) I want.
1. Find the subordinate clause.
(who, whom) I want
direct objectI want (who, whom)
2. Decide how the pronoun is used in the clause.
3. Determine what case the pronoun should be in.
objective
4. Select the correct form of the pronoun.
whom
Those are the teachers whom I want.
Answer
68
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. The musicians with (who, whom) he practices
are professionals.
2. Everyone (who, whom) arrives early should go
to the cafeteria or the gym.
3. The guest speaker, (who, whom) the principal
introduced, addressed the assembly.
69

Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. The musicians with (who, whom) he practices
are professionals.
Subordinate clause
with (who, whom) he practices
Pronoun used as
object of prepositionhe practices with (who,
whom)
Correct form
objective casewhom
70
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. Everyone (who, whom) arrives early should go
to the cafeteria or the gym.
Subordinate clause
(who, whom) arrives early
Pronoun used as
subject
Correct form
nominative casewho
71

Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Choose the correct form of the pronoun in
parentheses. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. The guest speaker, (who, whom) the principal
introduced, addressed the assembly.
Subordinate clause
(who, whom) the principal introduced
Pronoun used as
direct objectthe principal introduced (who, whom)
Correct form
objective casewhom
72
Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
On Your Own
Choose the correct form, who or whom, to complete
each sentence below. 1. The child _____ fell off
the swing is not hurt. 2. There goes Fred, _____
I sit behind in chemistry class. 3. Are they the
teammates with _____ you work out? 4. Everyone
has guessed _____ the winner will be. 5. I cant
remember _____ I asked that question.
End of Section
73

Solving special pronoun problemsWho and whom
Answers
Choose the correct form, who or whom, to complete
each sentence below.
1. The child who fell off the swing is not hurt.
2. There goes Fred, whom I sit behind in
chemistry class.
3. Are they the teammates with whom you work out?
4. Everyone has guessed who the winner will be.
5. I cant remember whom I asked that question.
74
Review A
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.

1. Greg and (myself, I) both got our drivers
   licenses.

1. When he called, I could hardly believe it was
   really (he, him).

1. Does anyone dance better than (her, she)? I
   wondered.

1. What the crowd appreciated most was (him, his)
   singing.

5. (Who, Whom) can name this geometric shape?
End of Section
75
Review A
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.

1. Greg and (myself, I ) both got our drivers
   licenses.

1. When he called, I could hardly believe it was
   really (he, him).

1. Does anyone dance better than (her, she)? I
   wondered.

1. What the crowd appreciated most was (him, his)
   singing.

5. (Who, Whom) can name this geometric shape?
76
Review B
If a sentence has an incorrect pronoun, supply
the correct pronoun form. If a sentence is
already correct, identify it with a C.
_____ 1. I would like to know who you are voting
for in the next election. _____ 2. They watched
her and I playing a game of tennis. _____
3. Sally and myself are planning to attend the
lecture. _____ 4. Is it Mr. Ross whom teaches
the class? _____ 5. No one has worked harder than
she.
77
Review B
If a sentence has an incorrect pronoun, supply
the correct pronoun form. If a sentence is
already correct, identify it with a C.
whom
_____ 1. I would like to know who you are voting
for in the next election. _____ 2. They watched
her and I playing a game of tennis. _____
3. Sally and myself are planning to attend the
lecture. _____ 4. Is it Mr. Ross whom teaches
the class? _____ 5. No one has worked harder than
she.
me
I
who
C
78
The End