English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Pronouns after "than" and "as"
Pronouns after "than" and "as"
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the correct pronoun case (subjective or objective) to use following the conjunctions 'than' and 'as'.
Explain the concept of an elliptical clause and its function in determining pronoun choice.
Differentiate between comparisons of subjects and comparisons of objects to avoid ambiguity.
Construct sentences using 'than' and 'as' with the correct pronoun to convey a precise meaning.
Analyze sentences to determine the implied words that dictate pronoun case.
Edit their own analytical writing for correct pronoun usage in comparative structures.
Is it 'The hero is braver than I' or 'The hero is braver than me'? 🤔 Let's uncover why the answer depends on what you're trying to say!
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Pronoun CaseThe form a pronoun takes to show its function in a sentence. The two main cases we'll focus on are subjective and objective.In 'She gave it to him,' 'she' is subjective (the subject) and 'him' is objective (the object).
Subjective Case PronounsPronouns used as the subject of a verb (the one doing the action).I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who.
Objective Case PronounsPronouns used as the object of a verb or a preposition (the one receiving the action).me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom.
Elliptical ClauseA clause where words are intentionally omitted because they are understood from the context. This is the key to understanding pronouns after 'than' and 'as'.In 'You are taller than I,' the...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Complete the Clause' Rule
To determine the correct pronoun case after 'than' or 'as', mentally complete the elliptical (unfinished) clause by adding the implied verb.
If the pronoun functions as the subject of the implied verb, use the subjective case (I, he, she, we, they). If it functions as the object, use the objective case (me, him, her, us, them).
Subject-Subject Comparison
When comparing the subject of the main clause to the subject of the second (elliptical) clause, use a subjective case pronoun.
Use this when the two nouns/pronouns being compared are both performing (or capable of performing) the same action. Example: 'He is as clever as she [is clever].'
Subject-Object Comparison
When the sentence compares the obje...
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Challenging
A student is editing their analytical essay. Read the excerpt: 'The protagonist, despite his flaws, showed more integrity than them. The author portrays the other characters as less complex than him.' Which revision corrects both pronoun errors for formal writing?
A....more integrity than they. ...less complex than he.
B....more integrity than them. ...less complex than he.
C....more integrity than they. ...less complex than him.
D.The excerpt contains no errors.
Challenging
The sentence 'The mentor advised the hero as much as her' is ambiguous. Which revision most clearly and concisely expresses that the mentor gave an equal amount of advice to both the hero and the woman?
A.The mentor advised the hero as much as she did.
B.The mentor and she advised the hero equally.
C.As much as her, the mentor advised the hero.
D.The mentor advised the hero as much as she advised her.
Challenging
A peer argues, 'In 'She likes you more than me,' 'me' is correct because 'you and me' are a compound object of the verb 'likes'.' Why is this reasoning grammatically flawed in the context of comparisons?
A.The reasoning is correct; 'you and me' is a compound object.
B.'Than' is a subordinating conjunction, not a preposition, and it introduces a new, elliptical clause ('than she likes me'). 'Me' is the object of the implied verb 'likes,' not part of a compound object with 'you'.
C.'Than' must always be followed by a subjective pronoun, so the only correct option could be 'I'.
D.In a comparison, the pronoun's case is determined by what 'sounds right' to the modern ear, making the rule flexible.
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