Pronouns

Subjects and objects

First let's look at case--that is, the difference between the subject and object forms of the pronouns. We know what subjects are, and objects are those words that come at the end of prepositional phrases (among other things). You probably already know the differences, but just in case, here's a list of the forms:

The only thing you need to know is that these forms can't be switched around. If the word is a subject, it must be a subject form; if it's an object . . . well, you get the idea. Consider the following:

• Peggy and me barked at the garbage truck.

• Her and me fought over the bone.

Some of you are probably thinking, "What's wrong with these?" In spoken English, you'll hear things like this every day. But in written English, you need to make sure your forms aren't mixed up. The correct versions are "Peggy and I" and "She and I," since the words are the subject of the sentence. Nothing in the object list can be a subject--ever! You wouldn't say, "Me barked" or "me fought"--unless you were trying out for a Tarzan movie.

The same goes for objects of prepositions. You can't use a subject form in a prepositional phrase.

• Small Cat fetched the paper for her and I.

• Peggy ran after John and she.

"For I"? "After she"? These can't be right, since both are in the subject list; but, they're used as objects of the preposition. The correct versions are "for me" and "after her." You shouldn't have as much trouble with these because you don't hear them misused quite as often in this way. But watch out for "just between you and I." That phrase gets a lot of use--even though "I" can't be an object. It's "just between you and me"!

With "to be" verbs

Now we get to the stuff that will sound odd to you. Remember when we talked about "to be" verb forms? Any time a pronoun comes after one of these verbs, the subject form is required.

• It is I.

• It was they.

• It is he.

I told you this would sound funny--but it's correct! So, all these years you've been saying, "It's me" and "It's them," and you've been wrong. Right or wrong, I can't bring myself to say, "It is I." "It's me" sounds more natural. The best thing to do when you write yourself into a construction like this is to rethink and rewrite in a different way. (If anyone tells you otherwise, just say "it was I" who told you.)

With "than" or "as"

Another common pronoun mistake happens in sentences where you use "than" or "as" to compare people or things:

• Peggy is smaller than I.

• The cat down the street is meaner than she.

• Cats are as smart as they.

You want to use "me," "her," and "them," don't you? You could, but that wouldn't be right. The subject form of the pronoun always comes after "than" or "as." Why? There's an understood verb in the construction.

• Peggy is smaller than I (am).

• The cat down the street is meaner than she (is).

• Cats are as smart as they (are).

You can see why the object form won't work: "me am," "her is," and "them are" are just plain wrong! Even though you probably hear these kinds of sentences used incorrectly, when you're writing you can get them right if you remember that understood verb.

Relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, that, and which

In addition to renaming another word (like all pronouns), relative pronouns often introduce added details in your sentences. They can also be used to ask questions. Look at the following:

1. Small Cat is the one who is a true grammar hound.

2. Peggy is the cat whom everyone loves to pet.

3. Whose ball is that?

4. She is the one that I like.

5. I want to know which cat trampled the flowers.

These won't cause you too much trouble most of the time. Just remember: when you write about people, use "who," "whom," and "whose." When you write about things, use "which." "That" can be used in either case.

You may, however, have trouble with who and whom. Who is a subject form, and whom is an object. Like the subject and object forms we talked about earlier, you can't switch these around. Let's take a closer look at two of the sentences you just read:

1. Small Cat is the one who is a true grammar hound.

2. Peggy is the cat whom everyone loves to pet.

In number 1, "who" is the subject of the relative clause; in number two, "whom" is the object. "Fine," you're thinking, "but how do I know when to use 'who' or 'whom?'" You've got a 50/50 chance of getting it right, but you can better the odds if you'll do the following when you find a sentence like one of those above:

1. Mark the spot where "who" or "whom" should go.

2. Look at the group of words to the right of that mark.

   Small Cat is the one _____is a true grammar hound.
   Peggy is the cat _____ everyone loves to pet.

3. Since "who" or "whom" introduces a relative clause, there should be a subject and a verb in that group of words.

   _____is a true grammar hound.
   _____everyone loves to pet.

4. If there is no subject, "who" is the right choice. It is the subject form and becomes the subject of the clause.

   . . . who is a true grammar hound.

5. If there is a subject, "whom" is the right choice. It is the object form.

   . . . whom everyone loves to pet.

Now that's not so hard, is it?

Reflexives

Reflexive pronouns are intensifiers that refer back to the doer of the action (the subject). You know the words: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

We often say things like, I'll do it myself, "She'll fix it herself," etc. There's really no problem--except when you use a reflexive in place of a subject or object form. Never write (or say) something like, "Send it either to my secretary or myself." Keep that in mind, and you should be okay.

Pronouns are little words, but they're often troublesome. That's why we've spent so much time on them. But enough, already!