Frequently during the writing process, it can be difficult to tell whether to use the objective or subjective case. A case is a noun or pronoun inflection (type) that indicates the relationship between terms in a sentence. For example, the pronoun “my” (possessive case) denotes ownership of something - that is my cat. There are three cases of pronouns: possessive, objective and subjective. Since few people have problems with the possessive case, in this issue of Grammatically Correct we will only discuss when to use the objective and subjective cases respectively.

Below is a table of pronouns, denoting which are subjective and which are objective:

Now let’s look at some guidelines regarding when to use the objective case and when to use the subjective case.

Use the objective case when the pronoun is used as the object or indirect object of a verb.  Another way to say this is "use the objective case when the pronoun receives the action of the verb."

Example:   Jean took her to the airport yesterday.
                 Did dad write him a letter?

In the first sentence, the pronoun her (which refers to an unknown person in the sentence) is the object of the verb took, making it necessary to use the objective case. In the second sentence, the pronoun him is the indirect object of the verb write.

Use the objective case when the pronoun is the object of a preposition.

Example:   I’m not sure if my mother will agree to talk to us.  
                The president will speak with them in five minutes.

In these sentences, the pronouns (us, them) are acting as the objects of the prepositions to and with, respectively, making it necessary to use the objective case.

Use the subjective case when the pronoun is the agent that does the action or when the pronoun is being described by the predicate.

Example:    They walked a mile in the rain today.

The pronoun they initiates the verb walked in this example.

Example:   I was sad..

In this example the predicate (was sad) describes the pronoun “I,” therefore it is necessary to use the subjective case.

Choosing the wrong case may occur because using the objective case is often part of a regional dialect (You and me are best friends). However, to maintain clear grammatical meaning, it is best to choose the correct case for each sentence.  You and I is the correct choice because both pronouns are the subject of the sentence.

Most native English speakers can determine which case to use based on the way a sentence sounds when it is read aloud (does it sound “wrong” or “right”); for example, the phrase “Jean took she to the airport” sounds strange to our ears. However, if you’re not a native English speaker or if you’re just not sure which pronoun to use, you can refer to these guidelines.

In addition to our own website, this week we recommend The Tongue Untied, a website that provides structured lessons about punctuation, style, and grammar. Visit The Tongue Untied at http://grammar.uoregon.edu/.

Test your knowledge of both cases by choosing the correct case for each sentence below:

1. (They/Them) want to go swimming this afternoon at 5 o’clock.

2. (Who/Whom) do I speak to about getting a job?

3. Mrs. Jones taught you and (me/I).

Answers

1. They want to go swimming this afternoon at 5 o’clock.

2. Whom do I speak to about getting a job?

3. Mrs. Jones taught you and me.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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