What is a pronoun?
A pronoun is a word used to indicate a noun that has already been mentioned or is understood. It is also used to replace a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition.
There are four common types of pronouns: subjective, objective, possessive and reflexive. For the purpose of this post I’ll concentrate on subjective and objective.
Subjective pronouns:
I, you, she, he, it, we, you, they, who, whoever.
Objective pronouns:
Me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them, whom, whomever.
Subjective pronoun in a sentence:
Helen has been busy in the kitchen. She has baked a chocolate cake for dessert.
Objective pronoun in a sentence:
Helen served me a piece of chocolate cake for dessert.
Pronouns to substitute a noun phrase:
The busy mother is in the kitchen. She is baking a cake. I watched her bake.
In this example the busy mother is the noun phrase. She is the subjective pronoun. Her is the objective pronoun.
7 tips to help you choose a subjective or objective pronoun
Use the following sentence as an example: Helen baked a cake.
1. First, ask the question who or what before the verb—which in this case is baked—to identify the subject.
Who baked a cake? The answer is Helen, so Helen is the subject. The subject does the action.
2. Or, ask the question who or what after the verb to identify the object.
Helen baked what? The answer is cake, so cake is the object. The object receives the action.
3. Use a subjective pronoun after a comparison such as as or than.
Incorrect: Helen ate more cake than me.
Correct: Helen ate more cake than I.
4. Use an objective pronoun after a preposition such as between.
Helen’s chocolate cake recipe is just between her and me.
5. Use a subjective pronoun after the verb to be—is, are, was, were, am, will be.
It is she who is baking.
It will be I who has a second piece of cake.
6. When there are multiple subjects or objects write the sentence with only the pronoun.
Helen, Susan and (I, me) love chocolate cake.
When you remove Helen and Susan, the sentence reads like this: (I, me) love chocolate cake.
So, the correct way to write this would be Helen, Susan and I love chocolate cake.
7. You can also reverse a sentence to decide which pronoun to use.
The best cook in our group is (she, her).
Or when reversed: (She, Her) is the best cook in our group.
So, the correct way to write this would be The best cook in our group is she.
I hope that after reading this post, choosing subjective and objective pronouns will be a piece of cake for you.
Whoever has any questions, please ask.
I will do my best to give an answer to whomever asks.
Photo Credit: John Kasawa
{ 11 comments }
Hi Davina .. these can get so muddling can’t they …
3) We seem to use ‘me’ more often than not … it appears to have become almost acceptable
4) Reads ‘horribly’! I’d use ‘us’ ….
5) I guess we use different phrases i.e. “I’m sure I’ll have a second piece of cake”
7) Reads ‘horribly’ too doesn’t it – I’m sure we must have changed our usage over the years – as some of these seem stilted.
Perhaps as our grasp of language has increased in the last 200 years or so .. we’ve adapted the way we communicate in different countries … some of these seem Victorian ..
I’d like something on “whose” .. if you can wangle that one in sometime … thank you.
Great post as usual .. and so well set out – it’ll be interesting to see what others say and their thoughts … cheers Hilary
This is another case where I’ve internalized the grammar. I couldn’t have told you what a pronoun was before reading this post — forgot that, but didn’t forget the proper usage.
I do notice, though, when pronouns are misused — it kind of grates on me as does improper placement of pronouns.
Typical:
“Me and her went to Walmarts.”
Instead of:
“She and I went to Walmart.”
Thanks Hilary.
Yes they sure can become muddling! I find that a lot of these, when they are written correctly, sound wrong. It becomes a habit the more often we hear or read it that way.
I prefer your example of “I’m sure I’ll have a second piece of cake.” That is how I would say it too. I chose to leave the “I” example because it sounds wrong and yet it is correct. If said that way, I would be inclined to say, “It will be me who will have a second piece of cake.”
Thanks for the suggestion to write about “whose.” I will be happy to oblige! If you need to know sooner than a future post, just send me an email with your questions. That way you don’t have to wait :)
Hi Mike.
Hey, I’ve just had a thought that perhaps you might like to write a guest post on grammar, just for the fun of it. Use complete creative license; put your own spin on it. Just a suggestion. I think you know your stuff and it would be a treat to see a different style of grammar post here.
Lol, I have to chuckle when I hear the “me and her” example. It sounds hillbilly :)
It was my sister-in-law that inspired that example, born in Wisconsin, but raised in Arkansawww.
So far as a guest post, thanks for the invite, but I have more than enough of my own stuff that I can’t keep up with — going back to work full time tends to mess with my projects. Maybe some other time.
Lol.
You’re welcome, Mike! Twas just a thought that occurred to me. No worries. I understand about having a full plate. The offer remains open.
I am ready for the chocolate cake – thank you :)
Great post Davina….I just referred a young fellow to your series, he has written a great graduation essay, but his grammar is lacking….he was able to change 6 things he discovered after reading your series himself…
What a great resource you are providing.
I think students here in the USA are hearing such poor spoken language and street language that actually writing is becoming harder and harder, and yet when they write they can see that they are missing something and the meaning often of what they are trying to share.
I still think we need to be teaching diagramming sentences in school – I loved it and now it comes back in my head the visuals when I am editing.
You’re welcome, Patricia :)
Actually, you’ve raised a good point. I wonder what it is like these days for the younger folk who are learning to read and write… and their teachers… when so much of our communication is online or via mobile device.
I’m thrilled that this person you referred to the grammar series of posts was able to make some use of the information. Yay!! Thanks for telling me that Patricia, and thanks for referring him. You’ve made my morning. So glad to be of service.
Beautiful and insightful guidance.
I like how you turn prose into action.
Even if Helen ate more cake than I, I might still need to say me. It’s like “I” leaves me hanging.
At least you warned me :)
Hi JD.
Thank you very much! LOL, you know you’re right about the “I”… it does kind of leave you wanting, or waiting for more. Imagine hanging on such a short word :)
Hello, Davina.
Your posting is really helpful to me. I’m a Korean student studying English for many years.
I have a question about the grammar “than + subjective pronoun / objective pronoun.”
Which one(s) is/are correct? And which one(s) is/are grammartically correct but sound(s) awkward?
I have bigger hands than my friend.
I have bigger hands than my friend does.
I have bigger hands than my friend’s.
My hands are bigger than my friend.
My hands are bigger than my friend’s.
My hands are bigger than my friend is.
At first I learned comparative degree very easily, but as time goes by I’ve been facing so many questions about it.
I really need your help. Thank you.^^
Hi Hyori.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for asking this question. My apologies for the delayed response as I’ve been away from the blog for some time. Let me see how I can help you:
“I have bigger hands than my friend.” is grammatically correct, however, my preference would be “I have bigger hands than my friend does.”
“I have bigger hands than my friend’s.” is incorrect because “friend’s” is possessive and yet you’re not talking about your friend’s hands. You are talking about your hands. In this sentence “hands” is linked to the subject, which is “I”.
“My hands are bigger than my friend.” and “My hands are bigger than my friend is.” are incorrect because your hands are not bigger than your friend. They are not even bigger than you are :-)
“My hands are bigger than my friend’s.” is grammatically correct, though slightly awkward. Again this is involving the possessive, but in this case the subject is “hands” as opposed to “I” in your earlier possessive example. So you can get away with it here.
In conclusion, I would recommend “I have bigger hands than my friend does.”
I hoped this helps you!