SHSAT: Pronouns: the right case and a clear reference
Learn to choose subject, object and reflexive pronouns correctly, use who and whom, and fix pronouns that could point to more than one noun.
How do you know whether to use I or me, who or whom, and whether a pronoun is clear?
Short answer
Cover the other person in a pair and read the pronoun alone; that tells you the case. Then make sure each pronoun points to exactly one noun, and name the noun when it doesn't.
Know first: Subjects and objects of verbs, Prepositions such as for, to, with and between
Step 1 of 5
A pronoun's form depends on its job
A pronoun's form, called its case, depends on its job in the sentence. If it does the action, use the subject form. If it receives the action or follows a preposition such as for, to, with or between, use the object form.
Reflexive pronouns, the -self words, work only when they point back to someone already named as the subject: Ana reminded herself. They can't stand in for I or me to sound polite.
| Job | Forms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | I, he, she, we, they, who | She and Tomas painted the set. |
| Object | me, him, her, us, them, whom | The note was for Tomas and her. |
| Possessive | mine, his, hers, ours, theirs, whose | The idea was hers. |
| Reflexive | myself, himself, herself, themselves | Tomas taught himself to juggle. |
Step 2 of 5
Every pronoun must point to one noun
A pronoun also needs a clear antecedent, the noun it replaces. If two nouns could fit, the sentence is ambiguous: When Nadia called Ruth, she was on the bus. Who was on the bus?
The fix is usually to replace the pronoun with the noun you mean. Words like this and it need a clear noun too. If this could refer to two problems, name the one you mean: This leak delayed the game.
Worked example: Fix an unclear pronoun
The writer means that Jordan, not Leo, forgot the tickets. Which revision is clearest? “Jordan told Leo that he had forgotten the tickets.”
- AJordan told Leo that Leo had forgotten the tickets.
- BJordan told Leo, “I forgot the tickets.”
- CJordan told him that he had forgotten the tickets.
- DJordan told Leo that they had forgotten the tickets.
- 1
Find the pronoun
He could mean Jordan or Leo. Both are male names that come before it.
- 2
Decide what the writer means
Jordan is the one who forgot.
- 3
Test the choices
B uses Jordan's own words, I forgot, so the forgetter can only be Jordan.
- 4
See why the others are there
A is clear but names the wrong person. C swaps Leo for him, which makes things worse. D changes the facts by saying both of them forgot.
Answer
B. Jordan told Leo, “I forgot the tickets.”
Wrong: The guide whom knew the trail went first.
Right: The guide who knew the trail went first.
He knew the trail, so the subject form who fits.
Step 3 of 5
Choose the form, then check the reference
Check yourself · Question 1
Complete: “Ms. Ortiz asked Dev and ___ to set up the chairs.”
Answer: B
Cover Dev: asked him works, so the object form him is correct.
Trap answer: himself
The polite-sounding reflexive
- Why it looks right
- -self pronouns sound formal, so they can feel safer than a plain him.
- Why it's wrong
- A reflexive pronoun must refer back to the subject. The subject is Ms. Ortiz, so himself has nothing to point back to.
- The right answer
- Him, the object form, because it receives the action of asked.
Check yourself · Question 2
Choose the correct completion: “The judges couldn't agree on ___ should win the prize.”
Answer: C
He should win works, so the subject form who is correct. It is the subject of should win, even though it comes after on.
Check yourself · Question 3
Which revision keeps the pronouns consistent? “When campers finish their chores, you can go swimming.”
Answer: D
Campers, their and they all refer to the same group.
Common mistake
I used myself because me sounded too casual.
- Why it's tempting
- Many people use myself in formal speech, so it sounds correct.
- Do this instead
- Use myself only when I is already the subject: I taught myself. Otherwise, cover the partner and choose I or me.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Cover the partner and read the pronoun alone to choose the subject or object form.
- Use who where he fits and whom where him fits; use -self words only to point back to the subject.
- If a pronoun could point to two nouns, replace it with the noun you mean.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
In the practice question, what did the sentence sound like when you covered the other name, and what word comes right before that name?