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C. Pronouns have case, and a pronoun’s function in a sentence determines which case should
be used. Subjective case (also called nominative case) pronouns are used as subjects of sentences; objec-
tive case pronouns are used as objects (direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions); and
possessive case pronouns are used to show possession.
EXAMPLES:
The judges were unable to make a final decision on a single winner, so they divided first prize
between John and he.
In this sentence, he cannot serve as the object of a preposition since it is a subject pronoun. The
correct pronoun here is the object pronoun him. Corrected, the sentence reads: “The judges were unable
to make a final decision on a single winner, so they divided first prize between John and him.”
Although Peter had been looking forward to the debate for weeks, a sore throat prevented him
taking part.
In this sentence, him modifies taking, but the correct choice of pronoun is his. (When a pronoun
modifies a gerund, the -ing form of a verb, you must use the possessive case.) The sentence should read:
“Although Peter had been looking forward to the debate for weeks, a sore throat prevented his taking part.”
3. Adjective versus Adverb
Adjectives are used to modify nouns. Adverbs are used to modify verbs and to modify adjectives.
EXAMPLES:
Some psychologists maintain that a child who has seen violence on television is more likely to
react violent in situations of stress.
Violent is intended to modify to react, a verb form. So the adverb violently is required. The sentence
should read: “Some psychologists maintain that a child who has seen violence on television is more likely
to react violently in situations of stress.”
The recent created commission has done nothing to address the problem except to approve a
new brand of stationery.
In this sentence, recent is intended to modify created, which is itself an adjective form modifying
commission. So recent should be recently. The corrected sentence reads: “The recently created commis-
sion has done nothing to address the problem except to approve a new brand of stationery.”

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