Pronoun Case

Solution

What Causes Pronoun Case Errors?

Ironically, one reason why many writers have trouble with pronoun case is that they are trying too hard. Most of us had parents or teachers who encouraged us to use I instead of me, and we took their advice--too often.

The pronoun I is a subjective case pronoun, so it is appropriate only for subject or predicate noun functions. Look at the following sentences:



In the second sentence, the phrase dad and I has been moved from a subject position to an object position, so the case of the pronoun must change from I (subjective) to me (objective).


In fact, compound subjects or objects are frequent sites of pronoun case errors. Use the following strategies to identify and correct these pronoun errors.

Strategy #1

Determine the compound's function. If the phrase functions as a subject or a predicate noun, choose the subject case pronoun. If the compound functions as a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of a preposition, choose an objective case pronoun.

Remember: Use the simple sentence to help you identify a pronoun's case:



Any pronoun that can be substituted for the subject Liz is a subjective case pronoun. Any pronoun that can be substituted for the object Paul is an objective case pronoun.


                                     

Strategy #2

When choosing a pronoun to be part of a compound phrase, temporarily leave out the other half of the compound. If the pronoun would be correct by itself, it is also correct as part of a compound. Look at the following examples:



Would you say "I went shopping" or "Me went shopping"? Obviously, I is the correct choice as a single subject, so I is also correct as part of a compound.



Would you say "The tragedy discouraged he" or "The tragedy discouraged him"? Clearly, him is the logical choice.

• Avoid overusing the prounoun I. Decide between I and me based on function.
• Determine a compound's function before choosing a pronoun.
• Choose a pronoun as if it were a single subject or object before placing it in a compound subject or object phrase.