The Write STUFF
JANE STRAUS
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Pronouns can be in one of three cases: subject, object or possessive.
Subject pronouns are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. You can remember subject pronouns easily by filling in the blank subject space for a simple sentence. Example: did the job. I, you, he, she, it, we and they all fit into the blank and are, therefore, subject pronouns.
Subject pronouns are also used if they rename the subject. They follow to be verbs such as is, are, was, were, am and will be. Examples: It is he. This is she speaking. It is we who are responsible for the decision to downsize.
In spoken English, most people tend to follow to be verbs with object pronouns. Many English teachers support (or at least have given in to) this distinction between written and spoken English. Example: It could have been them. Better: It could have been they. Example: It is just me at the door. Better: It is just I at the door.
Object pronouns are used everywhere else (direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition).
Object pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us and them. Examples: Jean talked to him. Are you talking to me?
To be able to choose pronouns correctly, you must learn to identify clauses. A clause is a group of words containing a verb and subject. An independent clause can stand on its own. Examples: She is hungry. I am feeling well today.
A dependent clause begins with words such as although, since, if, when and because. Dependent clauses cannot stand on their own. Examples: Although she is hungry, ... . Since I am feeling well, ... .
If a sentence contains more than one clause, isolate the clauses so that you can decide which pronoun is correct.
Examples are: Dependent clause [Although she is hungry,]; Independent clause [she will give him some of her food.]; and,
Dependent clause [Although this gift is for him,]; Independent clause [I would like you to have it.].
Source: 'The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to-Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes', by Jane Straus, ISBN: 978-0-470-22268-3. Contact her at http://www.GrammarBook.com .
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