Proper use of Pronouns

1. Proper use of Pronouns I or Me? He or Him? She or Her? Who or Whom?

2. Pronoun Case Is really a very simple matter. • There are three cases: • Subjective case: pronouns used as subject. • Objective case: pronouns used as objects of verbs or prepositions. • Possessive case: pronouns which express ownership.

3. Pronouns as SUBJECTS • I • You • He • She • It • We • They • Who

4. Pronouns as OBJECTS • Me • You • Him • Her • It • Us • Them • Whom

5. Pronouns that show POSSESSION • My – Mine • Your – Yours • His • Her – Hers • It – Its • Our – Ours • Their – Theirs • Whose

6. In compound structures, where there are two pronouns or a noun and a pronoun, DROP the other noun for a moment. Then you can see which case you want. • Bob and I travel a good deal.(Would you say, "me travel"?) • He gave the flowers to Jane and me.(Would you say, "he gave the flowers to I"?) • We men like the coach.(Would you say, "us like the coach"?)

7. In comparisons. Comparisons usually follow than or as. Comparisons are really shorthand sentences which usually omit words, such as those in the parentheses in the sentences above. If you complete the comparison in your head, you can choose the correct case for the pronoun. • He is taller than I (am tall). • This helps you as much as (it helps) me. • She is as noisy as I (am). • He is taller than me.(Would you say, "than me am tall"?)

8. Now let us practice! • My grandmother really loved Juan. She left all her money to Federico and HE / HIM. • A student in that all-women's college should have no fears about HER / THEIR future. • He was so worried about WHO / WHOM he should ask to the big dance, that he ended up not asking anyone. • Neither Tashonda nor I / ME am responsible for this mess.  • This is a matter for you and I / ME to decide. • Everybody in this class has completed HIS OR HER / THEIR homework already.  • No one on this bus seems to know THEIR / HIS OR HER way around this part of New York City.

9. To WHO / WHOM did you give the book? • I can't remember WHO / WHOM told me that. • I can't figure out WHO / WHOM I should blame for this. • Give these old coats to WHOEVER / WHOMEVER seems to need them most. • Did you see Derek and SHE / HER at the game? • Between you and ME / I , this politician cannot be trusted. • We know that we can count on James, Anne, and HER / SHE. • Rhonda explained that SHE / HER and her sister had often eaten at that restaurant.

10. Christopher and I / ME want to travel to the Far East some day. • The cost of the repairs shocked both my brother and I / ME. • Most of the congestion on the highway WAS / WERE caused by an overturned truck. • To Maria and SHE / HER, the movie seemed very silly. • Both of the bicycles in the garage IS / ARE broken. • According to Alvina and HE / HIM, this is the best math course you'll ever take.

11. Last week Raoul said that WE / US first-year students don't need to register yet. • The bus driver told me that he'd make change for you and I / ME this time but never again. • Probably the captain doesn't expect any of THEY / THEM to show up on a day like this. • It sounds as if you're complaining whenever you and SHE / HER talk that way. • This year Stan wants to paint you and I / ME together. • Randy seems to think that there's some conflict developing between Jason and HIM / HE.