How to Avoid Grammatical Errors - Using Cases
Common Mistakes Made by Writers: Using Pronouns in the Wrong Case
Nov 15, 2008
Most writers have stopped at some time when writing, and asked themselves...
Should it be:
- you and me? (accusative case) or
- you and I? (nominative case)
Should it be
- who? (nominative case) or
- whom? (accusative case)
Here are some handy tips to avoid using the wrong case for pronouns.
What is a Case?
In English there are three cases for pronouns:
- the nominative case (I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they, who...)
- the accusative case (me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them, whom...)
- the genitive case (my, your, his, her, its, your, their, whose...)
The genitive case is normally well understood. Most common grammatical errors are made by using the nominative and accusative cases at the wrong times.
When Should the Nominative Case be Used?
The nominative case is used for the subject of a finite verb. In other words the person who is doing the action.
- He pushed the cart
- You and I will go to the fair
The nominative case is also sometimes used after the verbs to be, to feel, and to seem.
- It seemed she was happy
- They felt he would win
- It is I
Tip: a common area of confusion, is the verb to be. If in any doubt, try reversing the sentence:
- It is I = I am it
- It is she = She is it
You would never say:
- Her is it, or
- Me am/is it
The nominative case is used in adverbial clauses of comparison.
- I am thinner than she
- You are smarter than he
Tip: comparisons can sometimes cause confusion because of the common omission of the verb in the second part of the comparison. See the verb in brackets below to understand and remember why the nominative case is correct:
- He is taller than I (am)
- She is faster than they (are)
When Should the Accusative Case be Used?
The accusative case is used for the direct or indirect object of a verb,
- The girl loved him
- The girl pushed him
- He gave me a bouquet of flowers
- She told him a lie
The accusative case is also used for the object of a preposition.
- The book is from him and me
- Please send the letter to John and me
Tip: if you feel you want to say someone and I, try saying the sentence with only one pronoun e.g.
- the book is from him and
- the book is from me
it then becomes clearer that:
- the book is from him and me
Questions Can Cause Confusion - When to Use Who or Whom?
Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether the nominative who or accusative whom is appropriate in a question.
- Who went to the store?
- Whom did you ask?
Note: in direct speech who is often used in both cases, and if writing fiction, it is best to mimic what is most commonly heard, or what would be correct for the character to say. However, formal written English should observe the rules of correct grammar.
Tip: If in doubt about the use of who or whom, try answering the question:
- who/whom went to the store? He went to the store.
He is in the nominative case, so the nominative - who - should be used.
- Who went to the store?
In the other example:
- who/whom did you ask? I asked him.
Him is in the accusative case, so the accusative - whom - should be used.
- Whom did you ask?
The key to good writing is that it should have an effect without attracting attention to itself. The message, not the medium, is the important thing. Simple but effective prose is better that elaborate and extravagant writing which stands out for the wrong reasons.
Making the effort to pick up a few simple tips on spelling and grammar can make all the difference.
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