Pronoun Case

Case is the form of a noun or a pronoun that shows its use in a sentence. There are three cases:  nominative (aka subjective)  objective  possessive

Nouns The case form of a noun is the same for both the nominative and the objective cases. Nouns should not cause you any problems. The singer received a standing ovation. The audience gave the singer a standing ovation.

Pronouns You’ll need to work a little harder to determine pronoun case forms. It’s time to create a pronoun case chart to use as a reference.

Nominative Case A subject of a sentence is in the nominative case. I like classical music. He and she sold tickets. They traveled around the world.

Nominative Case To help you choose the correct pronoun in a compound subject, take out the other person and try each form of the pronoun separately. Amy and (me, I) like to dance. Me like to dance. I like to dance. Amy and I like to dance.

Predicate Nominatives A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and defines or renames the subject.

PN Practice S LV PN Monarch butterflies are insects. (insects defines butterflies) S LV PN Cocoons become butterfly nurseries. (nurseries renames cocoons) 1. After many years of schooling, he became a doctor. 2. She remained a strong advocate for children. 3. Lassie has been a celebrity for decades. 4. Our family’s pie maker is Uncle Oscar. 5. It is the prizewinner.

Nominative Case A predicate nominative is in the nominative case. The last one to leave was he. Do you think it may have been they? The fastest runners are she and I.

To help you choose the correct form of a pronoun used as a predicate nominative, remember that the pronoun could just as well be used as the subject in the sentence.

One more thing… Nominative case is also known as subjective case.

Can you tell how nominative case pronouns function in a sentence?

Direct Objects A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the action verb. A direct object answers the question what or whom.

S AV DO Movie producers often borrow real homes. (borrow what?) S AV DO The right house can charm viewers. (can charm whom?) 1. Alex threw the ball. 2. Sally bought a red sweater. 3. Oscar wrote a letter. 4. Brenda made a sandwich. 5. Julian told a funny story. DO Practice

Objective Case A direct object is in the objective case. Evan surprised them. Uncle Raymond took me to the rodeo. The ranger guided us to the camp.

To help you choose the correct pronoun in a compound direct object, take out the other person and try each form of the pronoun separately in the sentence. We met Tara and (she, her) at the video arcade. We met she at the video arcade. We met her at the video arcade. We met Tara and her at the video arcade.

Indirect Object An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that comes between the verb and the direct object. It tells to whom or to what, or for whom or for what the action of the verb is done. Formula: S AV IO DO

IO Practice S AV IO DO We lent the producer our house. (to whom?) S AV IO DO She offered us free movie passes. (to whom?) 1. Alex threw Patti the ball. 2. Sally bought Ginny a red sweater. 3. Oscar wrote Sadie a letter. 4. Brenda made herself a sandwich. 5. Julian told us a funny story.

Objective Case An indirect object is in the objective case. Coach Mendez gave them a pep talk. His mother built him a footlocker. Mr. Botti gave us posters of the solar system.

To help you choose the correct pronoun in a compound indirect object, take out the other person and try each form of the pronoun separately in the sentence. Our neighbor gave Diana and (I, me) a job for the summer. Our neighbor gave I a job for the summer. Our neighbor gave me a job for the summer. Our neighbor gave Diana and me a job for the summer.

Objective Case An object of a preposition is in the objective case. When did you mail the package to them? Are you still planning to go to the movies with us? The reward money was divided equally between him and her.

Can you tell how objective case pronouns function in a sentence?

Special Pronoun Problems

Pronouns with Appositives Sometimes a pronoun is followed directly by a noun that identifies the pronoun. Such a noun is called an appositive. To help you choose which pronoun to use before an appositive, omit the appositive and try each form of the pronoun separately.

(We, Us) cheerleaders practice after school. We practice after school. Us practice after school. We cheerleaders practice after school. The coach threw a party for (us, we) players. The coach threw a party for we. The coach threw a party for us. The coach threw a party for us players.

Elliptical Clauses I am taller than (he, him). Sentences like these have something missing. You must complete them before you decide which pronoun is correct.

I am taller than (he, him) _____. Bill is happier than (I, me) _____. He is as smart as (her, she) _____.

Gerunds When a noun or a pronoun comes immediately before a gerund, use the possessive case.

Let’s discuss your being hired for the position with our company. My arriving late for class should not be a problem. His complaining about the homework will not help.