Pronoun Case
Case is the form of a noun
or a pronoun that shows its
use in a sentence.
There are three cases:
 nominative (aka subjective)
 objective
 possessive
Pronouns
It’s time to create a pronoun case
chart to use as a reference.
You’ll need to memorize the
pronoun case forms.
Nominative Case
A subject of a sentence is always in
the nominative case.
I like classical music.
He and she sold tickets.
They traveled around the world.
Nominative Case
To help you choose the correct
pronoun in a compound subject,
take out the other person and try
each pronoun separately.
Amy and (me , I) like to dance.
Me like to dance.
I like to dance.
Amy and I like to dance.
Predicate Nominatives
A predicate nominative
follows a linking verb and
defines or renames the
subject.
PN Practice
S
LV
PN
Monarch butterflies are insects.
S
LV
(insects defines butterflies)
PN
Cocoons become butterfly nurseries.
(nurseries renames cocoons)
1. After many years of schooling, he became a doctor.
2. She remained a strong advocate for children.
3. Lassie has been a celebrity for decades.
4. Our family’s chef is Uncle Oscar.
5. It is the prizewinner.
Nominative Case
A predicate nominative is always in
the nominative case.
The last one to leave was he.
Do you think it may have been they?
The fastest runners are she and I.
To help you choose the correct
form of a pronoun used as a
predicate nominative,
remember that the pronoun
could just as well be used as
the subject in the sentence.
One more thing…
Nominative case is also known
as subjective case.
Can you tell how
nominative case
pronouns function in a
sentence?
Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun or
pronoun that receives the
action of the action verb. A
direct object answers the
question what or whom.
DO Practice
S
AV
DO
Movie producers often borrow real homes.
S
AV
(borrow what?)
DO
The right house can charm viewers. (can charm whom?)
1. Alex threw the ball.
2. Sally bought a red sweater.
3. Oscar wrote a letter.
4. Brenda made a sandwich.
5. Julian told a funny story.
Objective Case
A direct object is always in the
objective case.
Evan surprised them.
Uncle Raymond took me to the rodeo.
The ranger guided us to the camp.
To help you choose the
correct pronoun in a
compound direct object, take out
the other person and try each
pronoun separately.
We met Tara and (she , her) at the video
arcade.
We met she at the video arcade.
We met her at the video arcade.
We met Tara and her at the video arcade.
Indirect Object
An indirect object is a noun or
pronoun that comes between
the verb and the direct object. It
tells to whom or to what, or for
whom or for what the action of
the verb is done.
Formula: S AV IO DO
IO Practice
S
AV
IO
DO
We lent the producer our house.
S
AV
IO
(to whom?)
DO
She offered us free movie passes.
(to whom?)
1. Alex threw Patti the ball.
2. Sally bought Ginny a red sweater.
3. Oscar wrote Sadie a letter.
4. Brenda made herself a sandwich.
5. Julian told us a funny story.
Objective Case
An indirect object is always in the
objective case.
Coach Mendez gave them a pep talk.
His mother built him a footlocker.
Mr. Stevens gave us posters of the
solar system.
To help you choose the correct pronoun
in a compound indirect object, take out
the other person and try each pronoun
separately.
Our neighbor gave Diana and (I , me) a job for the
summer.
Our neighbor gave I a job for the summer.
Our neighbor gave me a job for the summer.
Our neighbor gave Diana and me a job for the
summer.
Objective Case
An object of a preposition is
always in the objective case.
When did you mail the package to them?
Are you still planning to go to the movies
with us?
The reward money was divided equally
between him and her.
Can you tell how
objective case
pronouns function in a
sentence?
Special Pronoun Problems
Pronouns with Appositives
A noun that directly follows a
pronoun and identifies the pronoun
is called an appositive. To help you
choose which pronoun to use before
an appositive, omit the appositive
and try each pronoun separately.
(We, Us) cheerleaders practice after
school.
We practice after school.
Us practice after school.
We cheerleaders practice after school.
The coach threw a party for (us, we)
players.
The coach threw a party for we.
The coach threw a party for us.
The coach threw a party [for us players].
Elliptical Clauses
Melanie is older than (she, her).
Sentences like these have something
missing. You must complete them
before you decide which pronoun is
correct.
I am taller than (he, him) _____.
Bill is happier than (I, me) _____.
He is as smart as (her, she) _____.
Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form
ending in –ing that is used
as a noun. When a noun or a
pronoun comes immediately
before a gerund, use the
possessive case.
Singing is fun. (noun)
I am singing in the chorus this year. (verb)
Their favorite exercise is running. (noun)
John and I are running tomorrow morning
before work. (verb)
Let’s discuss your being hired for
the position with our company.
My arriving late for class should not
be a problem.
His complaining about the
homework will not help.