Chapter 6 Personal Pronouns

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Objectives Use personal pronouns correctly as subjects and objects. Distinguish between possessive pronouns (such as its) and contractions (such as it’s). Choose the correct pronoun in compound constructions, comparatives, and appositives. Use reflexive pronouns correctly. Use subjective (nominative) case pronouns with subject complements. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Subjective (Nominative) Case Singular Plural First Person I we Second Person you you Third Person he they she it Personal pronouns change their form (case) depending on who is speaking (person), how many are speaking (number), what is the sex of the speaker (gender). Third person male nominative singular case is HE. First person generic nominative plural case is WE What is third person female nominative singular case? SHE What is second person generic nominative plural case? YOU Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Objective Case (object position) Singular Plural First Person me us Second Person you you Third Person him them her it Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Possessive Case Singular Plural First Person my, mine our, ours Second Person your, yours your, yours Third Person his, hers, their, theirs its Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Subjects Subjective Case Usage Subjective case pronouns are used as subjects of verbs. He is the supervisor we hired last month. S. V. S. V. We asked whether they were coming. S. V. S. V. Have page 66 open in your text. Note that the third person masculine nominative singular form HE is used as the subject of verb IS. The first person generic nominative plural form WE is used as the subject of HIRED and the subject of ASKED. The third person generic nominative plural form THEY is used as the subject of WERE COMING. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects Objective Case Usage Objective case pronouns are used as objects of verbs. The trustee e-mailed us. S. V. O. We told them how to fill the orders. S. V. O. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects Objective Case Usage Objective case pronouns are used as objects of prepositions. That new desk is for her. S. V. P. O.P. Give all invoices to them. V. P. O.P. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects Objective Case Usage When the words between, but, like, and except are used as prepositions, follow them with an objective-case pronoun (the object of the prepositions). All of us except him accepted the invitation. To avoid such errors, isolate the prepositional phrase, and then use an objective case pronoun as the object of the preposition. BUT I OR ME = BUT ME LIKE BRAD AND SHE OR HER = LIKE BRAD AND HER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects No one but (I or me?) has the answer key. ^Prep. To avoid such errors, isolate the prepositional phrase, and then use an objective case pronoun as the object of the preposition. BUT I OR ME = BUT ME LIKE BRAD AND SHE OR HER = LIKE BRAD AND HER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects No one but (I or me?) has the answer key. ^Prep. ^Obj. of Prep. No one but me has the answer key. To avoid such errors, isolate the prepositional phrase, and then use an objective case pronoun as the object of the preposition. BUT I OR ME = BUT ME LIKE BRAD AND SHE OR HER = LIKE BRAD AND HER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects Workers like Brad and (she or her?) are rare. ^Prep. To avoid such errors, isolate the prepositional phrase, and then use an objective case pronoun as the object of the preposition. BUT I OR ME = BUT ME LIKE BRAD AND SHE OR HER = LIKE BRAD AND HER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronouns as Objects No one but me has the answer key. Workers like Brad and (she or her?) are rare. ^Prep. ^Obj. of Prep. ^Obj. of Prep. To avoid such errors, isolate the prepositional phrase, and then use an objective case pronoun as the object of the preposition. BUT I OR ME = BUT ME LIKE BRAD AND SHE OR HER = LIKE BRAD AND HER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Possessive Case Usage Possessive pronouns show ownership or special relationship. They take NO apostrophes. Our report is here; where is theirs? Its hood makes the machine less noisy. Ours is the house with the white trim. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Personal Pronouns Don’t confuse contractions with possessive pronouns. There’s another entrance in the rear. (There is) It’s wise to insure its contents. (It is) Contractions are shortened forms of subjects and verbs. it’s (for it is) there’s (for there is) they’re (for they are) Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 1. I will take (she/her) to the airport. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 1. I will take (she/her) to the airport. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 2. (Them/They) phoned for the price list. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 2. (Them/They) phoned for the price list. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 3. The manual was couriered to (he/him). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 3. The manual was couriered to (he/him). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 4. The DVD player should have (its/it’s) screen wiped clean. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 4. The DVD player should have (its/it’s) screen wiped clean. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 5. Please have (he/him) proofread the contract. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct form: 5. Please have (he/him) proofread the contract. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Compounds When pronouns appear in compounds, ignore the extra noun or pronoun and related words. Mrs. Kuwata gave Mike and me the project. \ ignore / Only the treasurer and I will attend. \ ignore / Ignore the extra noun or pronoun and its related conjunction, and consider separately the pronoun in question to determine what the case should be. When you ignore Mike and , ME is the object of the verb ASSIGNED. When you ignore the manager and, I is the subject of the verb WILL ATTEND. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Comparison In statements of comparison, finish the implied comparison in order to determine pronoun case. No one types faster than he/him. ^\types/ Jon earns as much as they/them. Lisa spells better than he/him. he Comparative statements are introduced by THAN or AS. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Apposition Appositives explain previously mentioned nouns or pronouns. When pronouns are followed by appositive constructions, ignore the appositive. We office workers have our own union. \__ignore____/ The lockers are for us girls. \ignore/ Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Reflexive Pronouns Pronouns ending in self emphasize nouns or pronouns previously mentioned. I myself placed the order. The matter should resolve itself. MYSELF emphasizes I ITSELF reflects on MATTER Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Reflexive Pronouns Use a pronoun ending in self only it refers to a previously stated noun or pronoun in the sentence. My friend and (I, myself) will apply. If no previously mentioned noun or pronoun is stated in the sentence, use a personal pronoun instead of a reflexive pronoun. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Reflexive Pronouns Use a pronoun ending in self only it refers to a previously stated noun or pronoun in the sentence. My friend and I will apply. If no previously mentioned noun or pronoun is stated in the sentence, use a personal pronoun instead of a reflexive pronoun. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Reflexive Pronouns Use a pronoun ending in self only it refers to a previously stated noun or pronoun in the sentence. My friend and I will apply. The mail is for Lisa and (myself, me). If no previously mentioned noun or pronoun is stated in the sentence, use a personal pronoun instead of a reflexive pronoun. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Personal Pronoun Problems Reflexive Pronouns Use a pronoun ending in self only it refers to a previously stated noun or pronoun in the sentence. My friend and I will apply. The mail is for Lisa and me. If no previously mentioned noun or pronoun is stated in the sentence, use a personal pronoun instead of a reflexive pronoun. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to (we/us). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than (I/me). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the project test than I[did]. 3. Khalid and (she/her) prepared the schedule. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. 4. (We/Us) committee members arrived late for the meeting. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. 4. We committee members arrived late for the meeting. 5. Only Tim (himself/hisself) can assign computer usernames. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. 4. We committee members arrived late for the meeting. 5. Only Tim himself can assign computer usernames. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. 4. We committee members arrived late for the meeting. 5. Only Tim himself can assign computer usernames. 6. Invitations were sent to two board members, Ms. Roper and (he/him). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. A new health benefit was offered to us. 2. No one completed the test faster than I [did]. 3. Khalid and she prepared the schedule. 4. We committee members arrived late for the meeting. 5. Only Tim himself can assign computer usernames. 6. Invitations were sent to two board members, Ms. Roper and him. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Advanced Applications Linking Verbs Linking verbs are be, is, am, are, was, were, been, and being. Whenever a pronoun follows a linking verb, it should be in the subjective case. It was he who volunteered. The courier might have been she. Was it she who called earlier? Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Advanced Applications To Be Without a Subject If the infinitive to be has no subject, use a subjective pronoun. Kelly was often mistaken to be she. ^no subject Was Mr. Woods believed to be he? ^no subject Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Advanced Applications To Be With a Subject When the infinitive to be has a subject, the pronoun following it must be in the objective case. We thought Richard to be him. \ subject / Do you expect the attorney to be her? \ subject / The subject of the infinitive to be is ANN; therefore, the pronoun functions as an object. Reverse the subject and the object: “We thought her to be Ann.” You wouldn’t write “We thought she to be Ann.” Now reverse the second sentence. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Advanced Applications Pronouns with To Be –TIP To test the correctness of a pronoun following to be, try reversing the pronoun and its antecedent. I thought the sample group to be them. I thought them [not they] to be the sample group. Jim was often taken to be he. He [not him] was often taken to be Jim. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. If you were (him/he), what would you do? Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 1. If you were he, what would you do? Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 2. The reporter was believed to be (him/he). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 2. The reporter was believed to be he. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 3. Stan expected the accountant to be (her/she). Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 3. Stan expected the accountant to be her. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 4. If the travel agents had been (they/them),our reservations would be ready. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition

Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition Check your skill... Select the correct pronoun. 4. If the travel agents had been they, our reservations would be ready. Canadian Business English, Fifth Edition