During the school's volunteer fair, Maya introduced Jordan to the coordinator, Ms. Patel, and the three discussed schedules for the food pantry. After the meeting, Ms. Patel emailed a summary to Maya and Jordan, asking for confirmation before posting the final roster. Maya replied that the dates worked for everyone and that Ms. Patel could count on Jordan and I to arrive early to set up tables. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
- NO CHANGE
- Ms. Patel could count on Jordan and I arriving early
- Ms. Patel could count on Jordan and myself to arrive early
- Ms. Patel could count on Jordan and me to arrive early (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests pronoun case in a compound object. The pronoun follows the preposition 'on' in 'count on,' so it must be in the objective case, which makes 'Ms. Patel could count on Jordan and me to arrive early' correct. Keeping the original 'Jordan and I to arrive early' uses the subject form where an object is required; drop 'Jordan and' and you would never say 'count on I.' The wording 'Jordan and myself to arrive early' misuses a reflexive pronoun, which is only correct when it points back to the subject of the same clause, and 'Jordan and I arriving early' compounds the case error with an awkward construction that no longer expresses what Maya promised. In any compound like 'Jordan and ,' delete the other name and trust the pronoun that sounds right on its own.