It is often difficult
to tell what noun a pronoun replaces and what case (subjective
or objective) should be used. Which
pronoun you use depends on if the pronoun is being used as the
subject or the object of a sentence.
|
Subject |
Objective |
|
he |
him |
|
she |
her |
|
who |
whom |
|
I |
me |
|
they |
them |
|
we |
us |
1. Pronoun Subject/Object.
Check if a pronoun is the SUBJECT or the OBJECT of a verb or
preposition.
wrong: How could she blame you and he for
the accident?
right: How could she blame you and him for the accident?
Example
(She/her) was better suited.
Here the pronoun is the subject of the verb suited, meaning
"she" acts as the subject and is the correct answer.
Example
I don't know (who/whom) Steven meant.
Whom is in the object form because it is the object
of meant (with Steve as the subject).
2. Check if the pronoun and
its verb agree in number.
Remember that the following are singular:
|
anyone |
anything |
each |
|
either |
everyone |
everything |
|
neither |
no one |
nothing |
|
what |
whatever |
whoever |
These are plural:
|
both |
many |
several |
others |
few |
wrong: Everyone on the project have to come
to the meeting.
right: Everyone on the project has to come to the meeting.
The forms "either... or" and "neither...nor"
are singular and take a singular verb. However, if the noun closest
to the verb in the "neither..nor" or "either...or"
is plural, then the verb is plural.
wrong: Neither his bodyguards nor he were
there.
right: Neither his bodyguards nor he was there.
3. Check if possessive pronouns agree in person and number.
wrong: Some of you will have to bring their
own beer.
right: Some of you will have to bring your own beer.
Some is singular.
wrong: If anyone comes over,
take their name.
right: If anyone comes over, take his name.
The subject is anyone,
which is singular, which requires a singular pronoun, his.
4. "Objects" of to be verbs are in the subject
form.
wrong: It must have been her who called.
right: It must have been she who called.
5. A relative pronoun (which, that or who) refers to the word
preceding it. If the meaning is unclear, the pronoun is in the
wrong position. The word "which" introduces non-essential
clauses and "that" introduces essential clauses. "Who"
refers to individuals; "that" refers to a group of
persons, class, type, or species.
wrong: The line at the bank was very slow,
which made me late.
right: I was late because of the line at the bank.
OR The line at the bank made me late.
6. In forms using impersonal pronouns, use either "one..
one's/his or her" or "you.. your."
wrong: One should have their teeth checked
every six months.
right: One should have one's/his or her teeth checked six months.
OR You should have your teeth checked every six months.
wrong: One should take your responsibilities
seriously.
right: One should take one's/his or her responsibilities seriously.
OR You should take your responsibilities seriously.
Exception: note that its is a possessive
of it, and it's is the contraction
of "it is."
w E. Verb Time Sequences
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