Question

Brushing Up Pronoun Skills

Most students learned pronoun usage a long time ago, but many need a brush up. Here is a brief exercise to refresh hazy skills. English has three pronoun cases:

Subjective (Nominative) Case

            I, we, he, she, it, they, you

         Use these pronouns as subjects of verb or as subject complements.

Objective Case

         me, us, him, her, it, them, you

         Use these pronouns as objects of verb or objects of preposition.

Possessive Case

         my, mine, her, hers, his, it, its, their, theirs, your, yours

         Use these pronouns to show possession. Note: No apostrophes!

Three Frequent Pronoun Problems

         1. Compound subjects

                  My buddy and I [not me] went shopping. [Ignore "my buddy and";                       focus on subject of verb.]

         2. Compound objects

                  Send the note to him or me [not I]. [Ignore "him or"; focus on object                    of preposition.

         3. Confused possessive pronouns

                  The bill and its [not it's] amendments are on file. [Don't confuse the

                  contraction it is with the possessive pronoun its.]

                        Ours [not Our's] is the only team making a presentation. [Possessive                   pronouns have no apostrophes.]

                 

Directions: Underline any pronoun errors in the following and write the correct form in the blank line provided. If the sentence is correct, write C.

1. Jake asked Erin and I for advice on applying for the internship. ________

2. We wondered whether the manager and him would support the changes. ________

3. Send all responses to Mark or me before September 1. ________

4. The staff and I agreed to replace this computer and it's peripherals as soon as possible. ________

5. Just between you and me, our company may be sold and relocated. ________

6. It was me who placed the order for office supplies. ________

7. Me and my friend are both interested in applying for the same job. ________

8. Authorities worried that it's roof might collapse under the weight of the snow. ________

9. All spam messages coming to him and I are forwarded to appropriate authorities. ________

10. Emily complained that text messages for her mother and she were garbled. ________

Answer 1

1)Jake asked Erin and I for advice on applying for the internship.(Here me will be used in place of I).

2)We wondered whether the manager and him would support the changes. (here he will come in place of him).

3) Send all responses to Mark or me before September 1.(The sentence is correct no improvement required.)

4)The staff and I agreed to replace this computer and it's peripherals as soon as possible. ___(correct_)____

5)Just between you and me, our company may be sold and relocated. (correct)

6) It was me who placed the order for office supplies. I(me will be replaced by I).

7)Me and my friend are both interested in applying for the same job.(My friend and I)

8)Authorities worried that it's roof might collapse under the weight of the snow. _its_______

9)All spam messages coming to him and I are forwarded to appropriate authorities. (me)

10) Emily complained that text messages for her mother and she were garbled. _(Her)_______