Compound word groups

When a subject or an object appears as part of a compound structure, you may occasionally become confused. To test for the correct pronoun, mentally strip away all of the compound word group except the pronoun in question.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Joel ran away from home because his stepfather and him had quarreled. Revised sentence: Joel ran away from home because his stepfather and he had quarreled.

His stepfather and he is the subject of the verb had quarreled Test: he had quarreled (not him had quarreled).

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The most traumatic experience for her father and I occurred long after her operation. Revised sentence: The most traumatic experience for her father and me occurred long after her operation.

Her father and me is the object of the preposition for. Test: for me (not for I).

When in doubt about the correct pronoun, some writers try to avoid making the choice by using a reflexive pronoun such as myself. Such evasions are nonstandard, even though they are used by some educated persons.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The Indian cab driver gave my husband and myself some good tips on traveling in New Delhi. Revised sentence: The Indian cab driver gave my husband and me some good tips on traveling in New Delhi.

My husband and me is the indirect object of the verb gave.

Exercises:

Pronoun case (such as I vs. me) 1

Pronoun case (such as I vs. me) 2

Pronoun case (such as I vs. me) 3

Pronoun case: review 1

Pronoun case: review 2