- Are all pronouns after forms of the verb be in the subjective case? It’s me is common in spoken English, but in formal writing use It is I. (34a)
- To check for use of who and whom (and whoever and whomever), try substituting he or him. If he is correct, use who (or whoever); if him, use whom or whomever. (34b)
- In compound structures, make sure any pronouns are in the same case they would be in if used alone (She and Jake were living in Spain). (34c)
- When a pronoun follows than or as, complete the sentence mentally. If the pronoun is the subject of an unstated verb, it should be subjective (I like her better than he [likes her]). If it is the object of an unstated verb, make it objective (I like her better than [I like] him). (34d)
- If you have used he, his, or him to refer to everyone or another singular indefinite pronoun that includes both males and females, revise the sentence. If you have used they to refer to a singular indefinite pronoun, rewrite the sentence. (34f)
- For each pronoun, identify a specific word that it refers to. If you cannot find one specific word, supply one. If the pronoun refers to more than one word, revise the sentence. (34g)
- Check each use of it, this, that, and which to be sure the pronoun refers to a specific word. (34g)
- Be sure that any use of you refers to your specific reader or readers. (34g)