GMAT Verbal › Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
She and him have been bitter enemies since they were children in Little League.
She and he have been
She and him have been
She and him has been
She and him having been
She and he having been
The use of the pronoun "him" is incorrect in the sentence, as it used as the subject, but can only be used as the object of the sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to "he," but otherwise the sentence is absolutely correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "She and he have been."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Him and me will always be on time for any event the group holds.
He and I will always be
Him and me will always be
Him and me will always being
Him and me will be always
Him and me going to always be
The use of the pronouns "me" and "him" is incorrect, as both are in their objective forms, but are used as the subjects. Both pronouns need to be changed to their appropriate subjective forms. "He and I will always be" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun forms.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
While writing his book, the author, whom had written only one other novel, toured around the country.
his book, the author, who had written
his book, the author, whom had written
his book, the author, that had written
his book, the author, which had written
his book, the author, having had written
This sentence contains an error in pronoun case. The word "whom" is only used when it functions as the object in a clause. As used, however, it functions as the subject of that clause; rewording the sentence would change "whom had written only one other novel" to "he had written only one other novel." The appropriate choice is "who." Note that "which" is inappropriate, since the word "author" presumably refers to humans. The correct choice is, "his book, the author, who had written."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
People whom give advice without prompt tend to annoy Jessica.
who
whom
whose
who's
which
This sentence contains a misuse of the word "whom." "Whom" is only used when it functions as the object of a verb or preposition in a clause, but it is clear that whatever word should be in this position is acting as the subject of the clause in this sentence. The appropriate answer is "who" because the pronoun is acting as the subject of the clause and is referring to people. The correct answer is "who."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The manager, clearly struggling to rationalize the decision that had come from farther up the chain of command, offered Will and I a half-hearted explanation for why we had to work late on Friday.
offered Will and me a half-hearted explanation for why we had to work late on Friday.
offered Will and I a half-hearted explanation for why we had to work late on Friday.
offered Will and I a half-hearted explanation for why it was that we had to work late on Friday.
offered Will and I a half-hearted explanation as to why we had to work late on Friday.
offered Will and I each a half-hearted explanation for why we had to work late on Friday.
The first person pronoun should be the objective case "me" as opposed to the subjective "I." If we remove "Will" from the sentence and simplify by removing the modifier offset by commas, we get the super-simple: "The manager offered I a half-hearted explanation." This illustrates the benefit of the simplifying tip, which can point out sentence flaws that become shrouded as complexity increases.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Joshua, who we like so much, had difficulty studying for the test, so we decided to help him.
whom
who
that
which
who's
This sentence uses the wrong form of "who." It is clear that "that" and "which" are not appropriate, because Joshua is a human. The pronoun "who" is not the subject of the relative clause; however, the "who" is being liked, not doing the liking. When it is not the subject of the clause, the appropriate form is "whom." The correct choice is, "whom."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
My mother told we to play outside.
My mother told us to play outside.
My mother told we to play outside.
We were told by my mother to play outside.
My mother told use to play outside.
My mother said that we should play outside.
This sentence uses the wrong pronoun. "We" is always the subject of a clause; the correct form here is "us." The correct choice is "My mother told us to play outside" because it is the most concise option that fixes this issue. "We were told by my mother to play outside" is technically grammatically correct, but it is unnecessarily in the passive voice, and thus obviously a less concise choice than the correct answer option.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The book was probably only read in full by the author and I.
by the author and me.
by the author and I.
by its author and I.
for the author and I.
by I and the author.
The use of "I" as the object of the prepositional phrase "by the author and I" is incorrect, as "I" is the subjective form of the first person pronoun. To correct the sentence's error, "I" must be replaced by the objective form of the first person pronoun, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "by the author and me."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The speaker, who many wanted to speak at their events, always had a packed schedule.
The speaker, whom many wanted to speak at their events
The speaker, who many wanted to speak at their events
The speaker, that many wanted to speak at their events
The speaker, which many wanted to speak at their events
The speaker, who's many wanted to speak at their events
This sentence misuses the word "who." Specifically, it is in the wrong case. If the clause "who many wanted to speak at their events" were to be rephrased, it would be "Many wanted her to speak at their events." The word that "who" is substituting for is the object of this clause; therefore, the correct form is "whom." The correct choice is, "The speaker, whom many wanted to speak at their events."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
My friend and me went to the park.
My friend and I went
My friend and me went
My friend and we went
My friend and us went
My friend and he went
This sentence misuses the word "me." Rephrasing the sentence a bit, "Me went to the park" does not make much sense. "Me" is only used when it is the object of another word (verb, preposition, etc.). The correct form is "I;" the other choices make no sense because it changes the meaning of the sentence. The correct choice is, "My friend and I went."