Pronoun Case and Usage

Please leave the key with Carol or ________. Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence using the objective case?

Me. The objective case (me) is used as the object of a preposition.

elliptical clause

A clause in which some words are understood rather than stated. Such clauses generally make a comparison and begin with "than" or "as". When you choose the pronoun for an elliptical clause, mentally complete the clause. If the understood words come "after" the pronoun, use a nominative pronoun. If the understood words come "before" the pronoun, use an objective pronoun.

In which sentence is the pronoun whom correctly used?

From whom did you receive the excellent resume? Whom is the object of the preposition "from" and is therefore in the objective case.

In which sentence is the underlined pronoun correctly used?

Her donating books to the library was very much appreciated. The possessive form "her" is correct because the pronoun comes before the gerund and donating.

Nominative

The Library opens in an hour. (Library is the subject)

Possessive

The library's collection of periodicals is extensive. (Library appears in the possessive case.)

in what type of writing do you think you would frequently use the pronouns who and whom?

Business writing is one situation where you may encounter having to use who and whom frequently. Examples: To whom it may concern: To whom shall I send my resume? Who is the person I should contact?

In which sentence is the underlined pronoun used correctly?

Carey is 3 inches taller than 'she'. "She" serves as the subject of the omitted word "is" (she is) and is therefore in the nominative case.

Because she was well prepared and organized, Vivian interviewed better than ________.

He. A nominative, or subject, pronoun is needed to complete the elliptical clause. The pronoun "he" is in the nominative case.

The company pays Tom's co-worker Sue a higher wage than ________. Which pronoun correctly completes the clause if the company pays Sue more than Tom?

Him. The objective case pronoun "him" is correct because it is functioning as the direct object of the verb "pays".

What are the three ways a pronoun can be used in the nominative case?

It can be used as the subject of a verb, as a predicate nominative, and in a nominative absolute.

My boss gave Colin a better review than ________. Which pronoun correctly completes the clause if the boss gave Colin a better review than he gave the speaker?

Me. The objective case pronoun "me" is correct because it is functioning as the direct object of the verb "gave".

Which sentence has a pronoun in the objective case?

My father took me to the Library of Congress. The direct object of the sentence is "me: because me receives the action of the verb. (whom did my father take on a trip? Me.) Because the pronoun is the direct object, it is in the objective case "me"

_________ went to the park to see the baseball game. Which group of words correctly completes the sentence?

My friends and I Use the nominative pronoun "I" add part of a compound subject of the verb.

Which sentence has a pronoun in the nominative case?

Paul and I decided to go to the library to find a magazine. The pronoun "I" is in the nominative case because it is part of the subject of the sentence. It helps identify "who decided".

Identify the sentence that claims an elliptical clause.

Perhaps the resume was more important to Maria than him. To complete the elliptical clause "than" [it was to] "him", an objective pronoun is used because the understood words "it was to" come before the pronoun.

Kevin and ____________ will use the Library of Congress to do research? Which pronoun is in the correct case to complete the sentence?

She. When a pronoun appears in a compound subject, remove the other words in the compound - leaving just the pronoun - to check the case. In this case, the nominative pronoun "she" is correct.

Which sentence has a pronoun in the possessive case?

The collection of magazines in our library is impressive. In this sentence, the pronoun "our" indicates which library has an impressive collection of magazines.

Case

The form of a noun or pronoun that indicates it's used in a sentence. Case is characteristic of only two parts of speech: nouns and pronouns. Nouns and pronouns have three cases--nominative, objective, and possessive. Nouns change form only in the possessive case.

Objective

There are many resources available in the library. (Library is the object of the preposition "in")

Though Marion and her two brothers want to be doctors, Marianne wants it more than _________. Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence elliptical clause?

They. A subject is needed to go with the verb "do". Therefore, the nominative case pronoun "they" is correct.

The Objective Case

Used for any kind of object in the sentence as well as four subjects of infinitives. Use the objective case for the object of any verb, verbal, or preposition, as well as the object or a subject of an infinitive.

In which sentence is the pronoun whoever correctly used?

Whoever undertakes such a challenging job will have to work hard. The pronoun "whoever" is the subject of the verb "undertakes". The nominative case pronoun is therefore correct.

________ volunteers for this project will get credit for community service. Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence?

Whoever. "Whoever" is the correct pronoun because it serves as the subject of the subordinate clause.

in which sentence is the correct form of the pronoun "who(ever)"/ "whom(ever)" used?

Whom did you consult about your career decision? "Whom" is used as the direct object of the word "did consult". The objective case "whom" is therefore correct.

In this excerpt from "The First Seven Years" by Bernard Malamud, find the clause in which an objective case pronoun is used.

Whom he so much respected. The pronoun "whom" functions as the direct object.

_________ did you like best in the movie? Choose the form of the pronoun that correctly completes this sentence.

Whom. "Whom" is used as the object of the verb.

Which sentence contains the correct form of the possessive pronoun?

Whose car should we take to the job interview? The "possessive" pronoun "whose" is correct because it signals that the car is owned by someone.