Lesson 3: Special Problems in Pronoun Usage

Definition

Who and whoever are nominative case pronouns. Use them as subjects of sentences and as predicate nominatives. Whom and whomever are objective case pronouns. Use them as direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions.

Explanation

Think of it this way: Who is the star of the show (the subject), while Whom receives the action (the object). A super helpful trick is to try swapping in he or him. If he sounds right, you should use who. If him makes more sense, go with whom!

Examples

• Maria is the student who aced the science test. [Who is the subject of the verb aced in the clause.]
• Whoever finds the hidden key will get a reward. [Whoever is the subject of the verb finds in the clause.]
• The guest speaker, whom we all applauded, gave a great talk. [Whom is the direct object of the verb applauded in the clause.]
• Whomever the team chooses for captain will have many duties. [Whomever is the object of the verb chooses in the clause.]

Definition

Sometimes, a pronoun is followed by an appositive that identifies the pronoun. Sometimes, a pronoun is used as an appositive. The case of the pronoun is still determined by how the pronoun is used in the sentence.

Explanation

An appositive is a fancy word for a phrase that renames a nearby noun or pronoun. To pick the right pronoun, like we or us, just focus on its main job in the sentence. Is it the subject doing something, or the object receiving the action? That little renaming phrase doesn't change the pronoun's role!

Examples

Chose the correct pronoun or pronouns in parentheses in the following sentences.

• (We, Us) art club members are painting a new mural. [The pronoun is the subject of the verb are painting. The correct nominative case pronoun is We.]
• The principal congratulated the winners, Sarah and (she, her). [The pronoun is part of the appositive that renames the direct object winners. The correct objective case pronoun is her.]
• Both groups—the teachers and (we, us)—agreed on the new schedule. [The pronoun is part of an appositive that renames the subject groups. The correct nominative case pronoun is we.]

Definition

When you use standard, formal English for writing or speaking, you should not use the nonstandard pronoun forms hisself and theirselves or theirselfs. The standard forms are himself and themselves.

Explanation

Reflexive pronouns (ending in -self or -selves) reflect an action back to the subject. It’s easy to get mixed up, but just remember that hisself and theirselves are not standard English words. Always use himself for a singular boy/man and themselves for any plural group.

Examples

• Jason finished the puzzle all by himself. [The pronoun himself is the correct standard English form.]
• The kittens cleaned themselves after their meal. [The pronoun themselves is the correct standard English form for a plural subject.]
• The players talked among themselves during the timeout. [The pronoun themselves is the correct standard English form.]