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10 Case

The case of nouns and pronouns indicates how the words functions in a sentence. Nouns and most pronouns have only two case forms (that is, the spelling the word has when it is used in a particular case): the plain form (day, someone) and the possessive form (day's, someone's). They present few if any problems to writers.

The pronouns I, we, he, she, they, and  who have three different case forms: the subjective form, the objective form, and the possessive form. The pronouns you and it have one form for both the objective and subjective case and a different form for the possessive case. (See possessive case, prossessive pronouns.)

10a  Use the subjective case of pronouns for subjects and for subject complements.

Ross and I flew to Reno. [Subject.]
After Hammond and she joined the party, a storm blew in from the mountains. [Subject.]
The ones who took the blame were Harold and she. [Subject complement.]

NOTE: When the subject is compound, as in the first two examples, many baginning writers make a mistake in the selection of a pronoun. Whereas they would not write Me flew to Reno, they might write Ross and me flew to Reno. To avoid this error with compound subjects that include pronouns, try reading each subject separately with the verb.

In speech is ti common practice to use the objective forms of personal pronouns as subject aomplements in expressions beginning with it is or it's: It's me, It is him, It's us, It's them. Such use of the objective form is unacceptable in writing.

10b  Use the objective case when pronouns are direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of the preposition.

Garret met her while ice skating. [Direct object.]
Molly brought him and me some roasted chestnuts. [Indirect opject.]
The victory belonged to the Cougars and us. [Objects of the preposition.]

10c  Use the appropriate case when the pronoun we or us comes before a noun.

If the pronoun functions as a subject, use we.

We linguists meet once a year at a major university.

If the pronoun functions as an object, use us.

A number of us mycologists regularly collect mushrooms in the foothills.

10d  When a pronoun is used as an appositive, its case depends on the function of the word it refers to. (see appositives.)

Two players, Bob and she, were beaten in the first match. [The pronoun refers to players, the subject of the sentence, so it is in the subjective case.]
Poor judgement beat two players, Bob and her, in the first match. [Players is the object of the verb beat, so the pronoun is in the objective case.]

10e  In elliptical, or imcomplete comparisons following than or as, the case of the pronoun depends on the meaning of the sentence.

In comparisons, than and as often introduce incomplete constructions. The case of the pronoun in such constructions depends on how the incomplete clause would be completed. Use the subjective case if the pronoun fucntions as the subject of the omitted clause.

I have lived in this city longer than they ]have lived here].

Use the objective case if the pronoun functions as the object in the omitted clause. (See sentence completeness.)

I trust John more than [I trust] her.

10f  Use the objective case for pronouns that are subjects or objects of infinitives.

The attorney considered him to be a prime suspect. [Subject of the infinitive.]
He tried to trap him with tough questions. [Object of infinitive.]

10g  Usually use the possessive case of a pronoun or noun preceding a gerund.

A gerund is the present participle of a verb used as a noun. (See gerunds and gerund phrases.)

What was the reason for his appearing tonight? [His modifies the gerund appearing.]
Dr. Kidd's running for office shocked us all. [Dr. Kidd's modifies the gerund running.]

The possessive is not used when the present participle serves as an adjective. (See present participles.)

The crowd watched him tottering on the tightrope. [Tottering is a present participle used as an adjective modifying him.]
I oftern hear Tom talking in his sleep. [Talking is a present participle used as an adjective modifying Tom.]

Avoid using the possessive with a gerund when doing so creates an awkward construction.

10h  The case of the pronoun who is determined by its functions in its own clause.

You can usually determine which case to use in interrogative sentences by answering the question the sentence poses.

Who led England to victory? [The prime minister led England to victory: subject.]
Whom shall we hold responsible? [We shall hold her responsible: direct object.]
Whom is the letter addressed to? [The letter is addressed to her: object of the preposition.]

In dependent clauses use who or whoever for all subjects; use whom or whomever for all objects. The case of the pronoun depends only on its function within the clause, not on the function of the clause in the sentence.

The Sisters of Mercy give help to whoever requests it. [Whoever is the subject of the clause whoever requests it. The entire clause is the object of the preposition to.]
I do not remember whom I met at the party. [Whom is the direct object of met. The entire clause whom I met at the party is the direct object of the verb do remember.]

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