• Subjective Case
• Objective Case
• Possessive Case
• Forming Possessive Nouns
• Indefinite Pronouns
• Tips on Determining the Case of Pronouns
• Who/Whom

The case of a noun or pronoun indicates its function in a phrase, clause, or sentence. There are three cases: subjective, objective, and possessive.

Nouns change form only in the possessive case (with the addition of an ' or s). Pronouns may change form in all three cases, as shown in the following table.

SUBJECTIVE CASE

The subjective case (also called the nominative case) is used to refer to the person or thing acting. Subjects of verbs and subject complements are in the subjective case.

She called Jonelle. [subject]

It was she who wrote the note, [subject complement]

POSSESSIVE CASE

The possessive case (also called genitive case) is used for modifiers showing possession or ownership.

OBJECTIVE CASE

The objective case (also called accusative case) is used to refer to the person or thing receiving the action. Objects of verbs, verbals, and prepositions are in the objective case.

The photography club chose her as the new president, [direct object of verb chose]

Her grandparents wrote her every week, [indirect object of verb wrote]

Our new mechanic seems to like me. [direct object of infinitive to like]

Handing him her paper, she gave a sigh of relief, [indirect object of present participle handing]

Hiring her was the best thing we could have done, [direct object of gerund hiring]

Don't tell this secret is between you and me. [object of preposition between]

Dr. Peterson's credentials appear at the end of her article. [Dr. Peterson's is a possessive noun; her is a possessive pronoun.]

Use the possessive case before a gerund .

The boss objected to Gerry's arriving late every morning. My working has not affected my grades.

The possessive pronoun forms mine, ours, yours, his, hers, and theirs are used in place of a noun. Note that these possessive forms do not use an apostrophe.

How do you know that this T-shirt is your/s? I know because mine doesn't have a hole in it .

Forming Possessive Nouns. Singular nouns are usually made possessive by adding 's. Plural nouns ending in s need only an apostrophe. Both singular and plural nouns may also be made possessive with the insertion of the word of before them.

The commencement speaker's address was well received, [singular noun with s]

The address of the commencement speaker was well received, [singular noun with of]

The singers' voices filled the auditorium, [plural noun with apostrophe]

The children's drawings adorned the walls of their classroom, [plural noun with s]

Indefinite Pronouns. One-syllable indefinite pronouns (such as all, any, each, few, most, none, and some) require of to form the possessive case.

Both refrigerators were stored in the warehouse, but rust had ruined the surface of each.

Longer indefinite pronouns use the s form.

Anyone's opinion is welcome.

TIPS ON DETERMINING THE CASE OF PRONOUNS

Pronouns in compound constructions should be in the same case.

She and I enjoy swimming, [both subjective case—not her and I] Give it to him and me. [both objective case—not him and I] His and my tapes are on the bookshelf, [both possessive case]

To determine the case of compound pronouns, try out case forms with just one pronoun.

In his report John mentioned you and me. ["John mentioned me" sounds right. "John mentioned I" sounds wrong.]

An appositive should be in the same case as the word or phrase it complements.

Two students, Kevin Stem and I, were asked to read our poetry, [subjective case for appositive renaming the subject, students]

The students selected two poets to represent the creative writers—Kevin Stein and me. [objective case for appositive renaming the object, poets]

To determine whether to use we or us before a noun, mentally omit the noun.

We students register on Wednesday. ["We register" sounds right. "Us register" sounds wrong.]

To determine the case of a pronoun that, mentally add the omitted words. The redhead is not as handsome as he [is handsome]. [You would not write "him is handsome."]

Her friend was taller than she [was tall]. [You would not write "her was tall."]

WHO/WHOM

Who is the subjective case form, and whom is the objective case form. When in doubt about which form to use, try substituting a personal pronoun to see which one fits. If he, she, or they fits, use who.

Who is the senator from the 45th district? [You would write "She (not her) is the senator."]

If him, her, or them fits, use whom.

On whom can Jody depend? [You would write "Can Jody depend on them (not they)!"]

Some writers prefer to begin clauses and sentences with who instead of whom, but others consider this construction ungrammatical, especially in formal contexts.

Who [Whom] did the voters from the 45th district elect?

(See also who/whom.)

Order a custom essay now!