Problematic Pronouns
Problematic Pronouns :
Some pronoun usages have to be handled carefully.
Generally when there is a noun and a pronoun in the subject of the sentence, we use I, you, he, she and so on.
For example :
Mary and I went to the market.
Or
He and you can come to the party.
However, when you have the word ‘between’ in the subject of the sentence, then you have to use me, you, him, her and so on.
For example :
Between you and me, we will decide the rules for the game.
Or
Between him and her, she is the more sensible one.
Generally we use the words me, you, him, her, us, them and so on in the predicate of the sentence. However, when there is a comparison between two persons, then we use the words I, you, he, she and so on.
For example :
Hari is taller than I (not me).
You sing much better than she (not her).
When we use a pronoun for emphasis after IT IS or IT WAS, we generally use the form of I, he, she and so on.
For example :
It was I (not me) who informed the police about the robber.
Or
It is she (not her) who first said that you were a liar.
The usage of ‘who’ and ‘whom’ in a sentence is quite confusing. However, this can be easily solved if you use a simple trick. Break the sentence given to you in two parts.
For example :
This is the boy (who / whom) I was talking about.
In this sentence, when you do not know which word to use, break the sentence.
This is the boy. I was talking about him.
Now if you get the word me, him, her, us, them, when you break up the sentence, then you use the word ‘whom’.
This is the boy who I was talking about.
Let us look at another sentence.
Do you know (who / whom) broke the vase?
Break it up like this.
Do you know / she broke the vase?
Now if you get the word I, he, she, we, they, when you break up the sentence, then you use the word who.
Let us examine a few more sentences.
I know the man about ……… you were talking.
I know the man about whom you were talking.
She is the teacher inspired me to write.
She is the teacher who inspired me to write.
1. My brother has always been able to read faster than I.
2. Sachin is the one who causes the most trouble around here.
3. It was he at the front desk.
4. Do not ask for whom the bell tolls.
5. Manisha ran after Jeevan and me when we took her bike.
6. Ruslun Bond is an author whom I enjoy reading.
7. One of the fish, which I fried, looks a little raw.
8. My sister, who is a scientist, has gone to America.
Problematic Pronouns
The Sentences Index
