Common Pronoun Mistakes: Case Errors

Case refers to the grammatical function of a pronoun within a sentence. There are three cases in English: nominative, objective, and possessive. Here are some common mistakes:

Nominative Case

• Used as the subject of a sentence.
  • Example: I went to the store.

Objective Case

• Used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition.
  • Example: He gave me a book.
  • Example: I went with him.

Possessive Case

• Used to show ownership or possession.
  • Example: His book is on the table.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong case for pronouns:
  • Incorrect: Me and my friend went to the movies.
  • Correct: My friend and I went to the movies.
• Using “myself” incorrectly:
  • Incorrect: Myself and my friend went to the movies.
  • Correct: My friend and I went to the movies. (Use “myself” for emphasis, not as a subject.)

Practice Exercises:

1. (Me/I) and my friend went to the movies.
2. He gave (I/me) a book.
3. (His/Him) book is on the table.
4. (Me/I) went with him.
5. (Her/She) and I went to the park.
6. The book is (mine/my).
7. He gave the book to (I/me).
8. (Her/She) is my friend.
9. (Me/I) saw him yesterday.
10. The book is (mine/my).

Answers:

1. My friend and I
2. me
3. His
4. I
5. She and I
6. mine
7. me
8. She
9. I
10. mine

Case Practice

Identify the correct pronoun in each sentence.

1. (Me/I) and my friend went to the movies.
2. He gave (I/me) a book.
3. (His/Him) book is on the table.
4. (Me/I) went with him.
5. (Her/She) and I went to the park.
6. The book is (mine/my).
7. He gave the book to (I/me).
8. (Her/She) is my friend.
9. (Me/I) saw him yesterday.
10. The book is (mine/my).

Answers:

1. My friend and I
2. me
3. His
4. I
5. She and I
6. mine
7. me
8. She
9. I
10. mine