English Language Arts
Grade 12
15 min
Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who"
Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who"
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between the subjective case ('who') and objective case ('whom') in complex sentences.
Analyze the grammatical function of a pronoun within a subordinate clause to determine the correct case.
Apply the 'he/him' substitution test to accurately identify and correct pronoun errors.
Correctly use 'who' or 'whom' as the object of a preposition.
Revise their own academic writing to eliminate pronoun case errors, enhancing clarity and formal tone.
Deconstruct complex sentences from British and World literature to analyze the author's use of pronoun case.
Ever wonder if it's 'the author who I admire' or 'the author whom I admire'? 🤔 This subtle difference separates good...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Pronoun CaseThe form a pronoun takes to indicate its grammatical function in a sentence. The three cases are subjective (or nominative), objective, and possessive.He (subjective) saw her (objective).
Subjective Case (Nominative)The case used when a pronoun acts as the subject of a verb or a predicate nominative. 'Who' is a subjective case pronoun.Who wrote 'Things Fall Apart'? He wrote it.
Objective CaseThe case used when a pronoun acts as a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition. 'Whom' is an objective case pronoun.The award was given to whom? The award was given to him.
ClauseA group of words containing a subject and a verb. Identifying the specific clause where the pronoun functions is key to determining its...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Subject Rule: Use 'Who'
Use 'who' when the pronoun is the subject of a verb in its clause.
To test this, find the clause the pronoun belongs to. If the pronoun is performing the action of the verb in that clause, 'who' is correct. Think: 'Who' does the action.
The Object Rule: Use 'Whom'
Use 'whom' when the pronoun is the object of a verb or the object of a preposition.
If the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb or follows a preposition (to, for, with, by, about, etc.), 'whom' is correct. Think: The action is done to 'whom'.
The He/Him Substitution Test
Isolate the pronoun's clause and substitute 'he/she' or 'him/her'. If 'he' or 'she'...
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Challenging
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct and ready for formal academic writing?
A.The politician who the voters elected is not who they thought.
B.The politician whom the voters elected is not who they thought.
C.The politician who the voters elected is not whom they thought.
D.The politician whom the voters elected is not whom they thought.
Challenging
Which sentence correctly uses 'whoever' or 'whomever' based on the pronoun's function within its own clause?
A.You may invite whomever wants to attend the lecture on British literature.
B.The university will admit whoever the admissions officer selects.
C.Please give this message to whomever is at the front desk.
D.We will hire whomever demonstrates the most expertise in critical theory.
Challenging
Which sentence demonstrates a 'Misidentifying the Subject of the Clause' pitfall, leading to an error?
A.Give the prize to whomever finishes first.
B.I will speak to whomever is in charge.
C.The team captain is whoever the coach selects.
D.We will support whoever the party nominates.
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Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who"
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