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Home arrow Web Icons arrow Building your Language Resources arrow Web Icons arrow 33.1 Common problems with Pronouns

33.1 Common problems with Pronouns

Every day, we hear pronouns used incorrectly in speech and in song. Often, incorrect usage sounds better. Just imagine if Vikki Carr sang, “It must be he.” It sounds unnatural, even though we know that “he” is the correct pronoun form for the subject complement.

Recognizing the correct pronoun to use in formal, correct writing takes practice. Take a moment to review the confusing pronoun usages covered so far in Section 17b,1-4: compounds, subject complements, we or us with a noun, and appositives. Then, try this multiple choice quiz.

For more examples, visit the Tricky Points of Pronoun Usage page of the HyperGrammar Web site produced by the University of Ottawa.

This activity contains 10 questions.

Question 1.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

The new members of the design team were Lana and [I/me].  

Open Hint for Question 1 in a new window.
End of Question 1


Question 2.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

The chatterboxes, Steve and [I/me], were reprimanded by the manager. 

Open Hint for Question 2 in a new window.
End of Question 2


Question 3.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

As we prepared for our first day, Lana and [I/me] talked excitedly about our hopes for big, corner offices.  

Open Hint for Question 3 in a new window.
End of Question 3


Question 4.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

Unfortunately, there was no room at all for [we/us] new employees.  

Open Hint for Question 4 in a new window.
End of Question 4


Question 5.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

[We/Us] new employees complained to the manager. 

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End of Question 5


Question 6.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

The manager finally put all the designers, Grace, Lana, Steve, and (I/me], at a table in the hallway. 

Open Hint for Question 6 in a new window.
End of Question 6


Question 7.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

The table-office was fun for [we/us] chatterboxes. 

Open Hint for Question 7 in a new window.
End of Question 7


Question 8.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

The worst offenders in the whole group were Steve and [I/me]. 

Open Hint for Question 8 in a new window.
End of Question 8


Question 9.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

Grace eventually complained to the manager about Steve and [I/me].  

Open Hint for Question 9 in a new window.
End of Question 9


Question 10.
Within the question text below, there is one text entry field where you can enter your answer.

She accused [he/him] and me of disrupting her work. 

Open Hint for Question 10 in a new window.
End of Question 10





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