problems with pronoun use

Problems with pronoun useThe case of a pronoun depends on how it is used in the sentence.Subjects and predicate nominatives are in the nominative case:I weyou youhe, she, it theywho

Pronouns used as objects (direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition) are in the objective case.

me usyou youhim, her, it themwhom

Pronoun pairs• Use the nominative case when two pronouns

(or pronoun and noun) act as subject or predicate nominative.

He and I are different ages. (not me and him)She and the new students were in the same

class. (not her and the new students)

• Use the objective case when a pronoun is direct object.

My parents sent her and me to the store to buy the party decorations.

• Use the objective case when a pronoun is the indirect object.

The committee presented him and me with the award.• Use in the objective case when a pronoun is the

object of the preposition. The doctor gave the pills to the other three patients

and me.

Pronoun-noun pairs acting together as subject or object

If the pronoun-noun pair act as subject, use the nominative case.

• We (not us) students plan to protest the rule.If the pronoun-noun pair act as an object, use

the objective case.The attention level among us (not we) students

is poor.

Pronouns following the comparative than

• To determine the appropriate case for the pronoun in a sentence with than, simply add the implied word.

The other employees are more willing to negotiate than we [are].

The boss seems to like them better than [he likes] us.

Who and whom

• When a pronoun acts as the subject, use who. When the pronoun acts as an object, use whom.

• You can test whether who or whom is correct by answering the question stated or implied in the who/whom portion of the sentence. The pronoun that answers that question will reveal which case to use.

Who/whom did you meet at the auction?I met him at the auction.Since him is objective, so use whom.

The employees want to know who/whom will supervise the project.

She will supervise the project.Since she is nominative, use who.