Chapter 6

Pronouns on a Case-by-Case Basis

M e and him can’t go to mall—not in Standard English! He and I, on the other hand, can
shop until we drop. What’s the difference? Pronoun case, the English teacher’s term for
the way a pronoun’s form changes depending upon how it’s used in the sentence. In this chap-
ter, you work on all three cases — subject (also known as subjective or nominative case), object
(also known as objective case), and possessive.

The Questions You’ll Work On

In this chapter, you work on questions that involve these concepts:

» Identifying pronouns as subject, object, or possessive

» Choosing the correct pronoun case according to the pronoun’s role in the sentence

What to Watch Out For

Keep these points in mind when you’re answering the questions in this chapter:

» Subject pronouns act as subjects, the who or what performing the action or in the state of being
expressed in the sentence.

» Subject pronouns also follow linking verbs (forms of the verb to be or verbs that express sensory
information, such as to sound, to feel, and so forth).

» Object pronouns act as objects: direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of a preposition or
verbal (a verb form not functioning as a verb). You don’t need to worry about what type of object
you have, as long as you know that the pronoun is acting as an object. An object answers the
questions whom? or what? after a verb, preposition, or verb form.

» Possessive pronouns express ownership. When you say my book or our vacation, my and our are
possessive pronouns.

CHAPTER 6 Pronouns on a Case-by-Case Basis 45

 » Some possessive pronouns function as subjects, objects, or other roles commonly played by
nouns. In that book is mine, mine is a possessive pronoun because it expresses ownership, even
though in this sentence it’s acting as a subject complement.

» You may run across a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun a gerun , in nglish-teacher
terminology. The pronoun preceding a gerund is possessive when the emphasis is on the action
or state of being expressed by the gerund. For example, in this sentence, the possessive pronoun
my precedes the gerund swimming: The coach doesn’t like my swimming, but he can’t stop me.

» on t confuse possessive pronouns ith contractions shortene forms of other or s. It’s

means “it is,” and its is a possessive pronoun. No possessive pronoun has an apostrophe.

Sorting Subject, Object, 274. The ight attendant told him to turn off
his computer and confiscated it when he
and Possessive refused.

Pronouns
271–285 Identify the underlined pronouns as subject
(S), object (O), or possessive (P) pronouns.

275. Al has placed Kerina and you at a lively

table, but if you want to change seats, the
271. As they built the shelter, the guides told
choice is yours.
us to watch carefully, in case we ever had
to erect a hut like it.

276. I know it was she on the phone because I

always recognize voices.
272. Doreen and I caught five fish yesterday,
but she threw them back into the water
because we don’t like to eat salmon.

277. Lulu’s parents hate her adding an extra

course because they think she is too busy
already.
273. Lola is my friend; however, you are her
enemy.

46 PART 1 The Questions

278. After Helen had examined the cloth- 284. When our computer crashed, James shook
ing thoroughly, she tried on a coat and its screen and yelled, “Whose program
declared, “Mine is more stylish and was running recently?”
warmer,” as she threw his away.

285. I won’t go to the pool with his family

279. My jumbo slice of cake didn’t tempt because that cousin splashes whoever is
him, perhaps because yours was dry and nearby.
tasteless.

280. The director loved your jumping in front

of the runaway horse in the final scene,
Using Subject and
but your mom told herself not to look at Object Pronouns
the screen while you were in danger.
Correctly
286–320 What pronouns should be inserted in the
blanks? Note: Check the parentheses for identifying
information.

281. Their pitcher has a better record than I,

but my team wins more games than his. 286. Scott and _____ (Scott’s) fellow race-
walkers swing _____ (Scott’s and the
racewalkers’) arms as _____ (Scott and
the racewalkers) hurry to the finish line.

282. Give your food to whoever is hungry,

even though our supply is low.

287. eith and _____ (Pam) gave _____

(Pam’s) nephew five crayons because
Pam always prefers to select the
color_____ (Pam) likes.
283. Melissa, whom the proctor scolded for
lateness, says she actually arrived earlier
than I.

CHAPTER 6 Pronouns on a Case-by-Case Basis 47

 288. Woody saluted _____ (Dan) before
_____ (Woody and Dan) bowed to the
audience and thanked _____ (referring
to the speaker) for directing the play.
289. _____ (David) and _____ (referring
to the speaker) will order food for 100
people, in case _____ (guests) all come.
290. Everyone but _____ (referring to the
speaker) plays the guitar, and _____
(referring to the people being spoken to)
understand the instrument and _____
(the instrument’s) construction too.
291. _____ (Toni-Anne) and _____
(Toni-Anne’s) favorite singer, Bob
Cassino, have never met, but _____
(Toni-Anne) thinks of _____ (Bob
Cassino) as a friend anyway.
292. Amy Tan’s novels provide Ira and
_____ (Beth) with many hours of
pleasant reading, but _____ (refer-
ring to the speaker) prefer the films and
watch _____ (films) often.
48 PART 1 The Questions
293. Daniel and _____ (Pamela) weeded the
garden together, but _____ (Daniel and
Pamela) hired _____ (the speaker) to
mow the lawn.
294. _____ (a group including the speaker)
and the managers explain the insurance
policy to clients whenever _____
(clients) request _____ (referring to
the group including the speaker) help.
295. Did _____ (Derek) hit _____
(the ball) and run around _____
(the bases)?
296. Seeing Laura and _____ (James) pull-
ing _____ (Laura and James’s) wagon
up the steep hill was impressive.
297. To satisfy _____ (the teacher),
Mr. Palgrove, Beth and _____ (the
speaker) handed in an excellent paper
that we wrote by _____ (Beth and the
speaker) without extra help.
298. Do _____ (Helen and Maria) know
the boy _____ (the boy) designed the
winning sailboat for _____ (Henry)?
299. All of _____ (referring to the group
of speakers) students worried about the
test _____ (the test) was scheduled
for _____ (referring to the group of
speakers).
300. Everyone _____ (referring to every-
one) borrowed bowling shoes must return
_____ (the shoes) to _____ (referring
to the speaker) by o’clock.
301. It was _____ (Eve) at the front desk;
Peter and _____ (referring to the
speaker) are sure _____ (Peter and the
speaker) recognized _____ (Eve).
302. When a stuffed toy loses _____ (toy’s)
nose, _____ (toy) looks even more
adorable.
CHAPTER 6 Pronouns on a Case-by-Case Basis
303. en doesn’t know _____ (referring
to ownership by an unknown person)
chewing gum is stuck to the table, but
_____ ( en) wants _____ (gum)
removed.
304. Deborah, _____ (referring to Deborah)
is sitting in the second row, will watch
_____ (Bill) with great attention in
case Bill forgets _____ (Bill’s) lines.
305. Please don’t tell _____ (Allison) and
_____ (the speaker) any jokes while
_____ (Allison and the speaker) are
trying to concentrate.
306. The bus with _____ (the bus’s) pas-
sengers sped by _____ (referring to the
speaker) stop, so _____ (the speaker)
was late for _____ (referring to the
person listening) barbecue.
307. Watson and Sons pays _____ (Watson
and Sons’) employees too little com-
pared to _____ (Watson and Sons’)
competitors.
49
 308. Are Jason and _____ (Frank) the funni-
est comedians in the show, or is _____
( alerie)?
309. Jeff told _____ (Jeff) that _____ (Jeff)
would understand the question and write
_____ (essay) quickly.
310. Mack told the secret to Al and _____
(Wendy) before _____ (Mack) told
_____ (the speaker), but _____
(Mack) gave _____ (the speaker) more
details.
311. Jeremy is as nervous as _____ (Gloria)
when _____ (Jeremy and Gloria) visit
_____ (Gloria’s) parents.
312. Elizabeth hates _____ (referring to
the speaker) calling _____ (Elizabeth)
“Liz” and has forbidden _____
(referring to the speaker) to do so.
50 PART 1 The Questions
313. Fran, _____ (Fran) Charlie thinks
should take a course in public speaking,
is not open to _____ (the course’s)
subject matter.
314. Between you and _____ (referring to
the speaker), no one is happier about
_____ (referring to the person being
spoken to) getting a new puppy than
_____ (referring to the speaker).
315. Don’t _____ (referring to the person or
people being spoken to) think _____
(anyone in the group) wants to suc-
ceed should study harder than _____
(Christopher)?
316. Alex and _____ (referring to the
speaker) plan to read the comment
thread and respond to _____ (anyone
in the group) has complaints about
_____ (referring to the speaker) work.
317. The top students, Nick and _____
(James), will receive awards from the
school, which always honors _____
(the school’s) scholars at the end of
the year.
318. The letter tucked into the bottle began,
“To _____ (referring to any person)
finds this bottle”; _____ (referring to
the speaker) read _____ (the letter)
eagerly.
319. The dancer and _____ (referring to
the speaker) believe that it is _____
(Frances) _____ (Frances) stole the salt
shaker.
CHAPTER 6 Pronouns on a Case-by-Case Basis
320. When Jason told you to ask _____
(referring to anyone in a group) you like
to work on the project with _____
(Jason), did you choose _____ (Mary
and Frances)?
51
Chapter 10
Writing Gooder Better
Comparisons
A re your comparisons correcter than your friends’? If you’ve already crossed out correcter
and substituted more correct, you’re on your way to better (not gooder!) comparisons. The
questions in this chapter challenge you to create comparisons that conform to the rules of
Standard English. You also practice identifying and correcting vague, illogical, or impossible
comparisons.

The Questions You’ll Work On

In this chapter, you work on questions that involve the following tasks:

» Choosing the correct word(s) to compare two elements (the comparative form, such as nicer) or
three or more elements (the superlative form, such as nicest)

» Inserting more, most, less, and least properly

» ealing ith irregular comparisons good, better, best and bad, worse, worst

» Identifying words that can’t be compared

» Avoiding incomplete and illogical comparisons

What to Watch Out For

Keep these points in mind when you’re answering the questions in this chapter:

» Short words often form positive comparisons by adding -er or -est to the base word. If the base
word ends in y, you generally change the y to i before adding -er or -est.

» Don’t double up: If you add -er or -est, don’t use more or most too.

CHAPTER 10 Writing Gooder Better Comparisons 71

 » Use the comparative (-er or more, less) when comparing two elements and the superlative (-est or
most, least) when comparing three or more elements.

» bsolutes perfect, unique, an similar concepts can t be compare .

» Good, bad, well, many, and much are irregular.

» All comparisons must be complete and clear.

» Use other or else when comparing someone or something to the group that includes the person
or thing being compared.

Creating Comparative 457. Base word: pretty

and Superlative Forms Comparisons: prettyer, prettier, prettyest,

prettiest, less pretty

452–476 Which comparisons of the base word are

correct? 458. Base word: softly

Comparisons: softlier, softliest, more

softly, most softly, less softly
452. Base word: neat

Comparisons: neater, more neater, less

neat, neatest, least neat
459. Base word: fast

Comparisons: faster, fastest, less fast,

least fast, most fast
453. Base word: close

Comparisons: more close, closer, most

close, less close, closest
460. Base word: tall

Comparisons: taller, tallest, more tall,

most tall, less tall
454. Base word: beautiful

Comparisons: beautifuller, more beauti-

ful, beautifullest, most beautiful, less
461. Base word: rapidly

beautiful Comparisons: more rapidly, most rapidly,

less rapidly, least rapidly, rapider

455. Base word: scary

Comparisons: scarier, scariest, more

462. Base word: concerned

scarier, most scariest, least scary Comparisons: more concerned, less con-
cerned, most concerned, least concerned,
concernest
456. Base word: competent

Comparisons: competenter, less compe-

tent, less competenter, least competent,
463. Base word: nimbly

least competentest Comparisons: nimblier, nimbliest, more

nimbly, more nimblier, most nimbliest

72 PART 1 The Questions

464. Base word: merry 473. Base word: unique

Comparisons: more merry, most merry, Comparisons: uniquer, uniquest, more

more merrier, most merriest, merrier unique, most unique, least unique

465. Base word: loudly 474. Base word: well

Comparisons: loudlier, loudliest, more Comparisons: better, best, weller, wellest,

loudly, most loudly, more loudlier more well

466. Base word: curved 475. Base word: perfect

Comparisons: curveder, curvedest, less Comparisons: perfecter, perfectest, more

curved, least curved, most curved perfect, most perfect, more nearly perfect

467. Base word: friendly 476. Base word: badly

Comparisons: friendlier, friendliest, less Comparisons: badlier, more badlier, bad-

friendlier, least friendlier, most friendlier liest, less badliest, worse

468. Base word: artificially

Comparisons: more artificially, most arti- Avoiding Incomplete,

ficially, less artificially, least artificially,
artificialler
Illogical, or Vague
Comparisons
469. Base word: dead
477–501 How should the underlined expression be
Comparisons: deader, deadest, more dead, changed to create a correct comparison? Note: Check
less dead, most dead the parentheses, if present, for clues to the intended
meaning of the sentence.

470. Base word: good

Comparisons: better, best, more better, 477. Alice is happier. (comparing Alice to her
most better, less better sister)

471. Base word: much

Comparisons: mucher, more, muchest,

most, less much
478. When Peter quit his job, he was poorer.
472. Base word: bad

Comparisons: worse, worser, worst, wor-

ster, more bad

CHAPTER 10 Writing Gooder Better Comparisons 73

 479. George Washington may be more famous 486. The invention of the touchscreen was
than any President of the United States. more important than any technological
innovation of that year.

480. This allergy season is equally as bad as

last year’s season. 487. Ending on page 1,000, that Victo-
rian novel is longer than most modern
novelists.

481. Compared to his brother, Levi has the

most freckles.
488. The dance teacher claimed that Fred, ner-
vous and self-conscious, tried not to look
dumb and “ended up looking dumber.”

482. During the boring lecture, five people fell

asleep, and Darian snored the loudest.

489. After examining 50 antique statues, the

curator said that the one from Mesopota-
mia was more incomparable.

483. Dmitri Smith and his wife Alicia Alvarez

are both dentists, but Alicia earns the least.

490. Elizabeth Bennet, the main character in

Pride and Prejudice, is less self-aware than
she thinks she is.
484. My parakeet Robbie has the curviest tail.
(comparing Robbie to all birds)

491. “Oranges are juicier than any fruit,”

exclaimed Ann as she bit into a freshly
485. Veronica likes Archie less than her picked piece.
friend Bob.

74 PART 1 The Questions

492. Julia’s accent is less comprehensible than 498. George does a better job repairing shoes
Alicia. than either Mac or Nelson.

493. A circle that is 2 inches in diameter is 499. Sidney’s hair, before his recent trip to the
rounder than one with a 4-inch diameter. salon, was curlier than Anthony.

494. Marcy loaned money to her friend, whose 500. Discussing his role in the negotiations,
house is the messier in the neighborhood. Mr. Alexander claimed to be the more
effective of the two union representatives.

495. Henry’s strategy for achieving a perfect

score on the SAT was less e cient as 501. This lamp is as bright, if not brighter
referenced to mine. than, all the others in my house.

496. Of all the minutes in a day, the baby had

to pick the worse one to fall asleep!

497. My suitcase is as heavy, perhaps even

heavier than, yours.

CHAPTER 10 Writing Gooder Better Comparisons 75