MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY

CASE OF PRONOUNS
6a Personal pronouns change form in the different cases.
Case is the form of a noun or pronoun that shows how the word is used in a sentence.
There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive.
Nouns have the same form in both the nominative and the objective case. For example, a
noun used as a subject (nominative case) will have the same form when it is used as the
object of a preposition (objective case). Nouns usually add an apostrophe and an s to
form the possessive case.

NOMINATIVE CASE The girl dropped her book. [subject]

OBJECTIVE CASE Give the girl her book. [indirect object]
POSSESSIVE CASE This is the girl’s book. [ownership]

CASE FORMS OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS

Singular
Nominative Case Objective Case Possessive Case
after action verbs
before the verb
I me
after prepositions my, mine
after linking verbs you you your, yours
he, she, it him, her, it his, her, hers, its
Plural
Nominative Case Objective Case Possessive Case
we us our, ours
you you your, yours
they them their, theirs

Notice that only you and it have the same form in the nominative and the objective case.
NOTES Some teachers prefer to call possessive pronouns, such as my, adjectives.
Follow your teacher’s directions in labeling possessive forms.
Today it is acceptable to use the pronoun they in a gender-neutral way to
describe a known person who does not use gender-specific pronouns such as he
or she. In addition, the singular they is used in informal speech to describe an
unknown person and is also increasingly accepted in formal writing.
EXAMPLES Someone puts the books on the shelves and they also alphabetize
the books by author. (unknown person)
Nico just joined the fencing team. They are excited to be learning
new skills. (known person)

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 1

EXERCISE 1 Identifying Personal Pronouns and Their Cases
Identify the case of the italicized pronoun by writing N for nominative, O for objective, or
P for possessive on the line before each sentence below.
EX. P Many years ago, Stephen Hawking visited Seattle to talk about his new
book.
_______ 1. Because of an illness, he communicated through a computer.
_______ 2. Stephen Hawking, one of the most famous scientists in the world, gave his
speech from a wheelchair.
_______ 3. Several teenagers in his audience were sitting in their own wheelchairs.
_______ 4. Although Hawking had Lou Gehrig’s disease, he continued to work both
as a scientist and as an author.
_______ 5. His book, A Brief History of Time, has sold more than five million copies
even though its topic is highly scientific.
_______ 6. I, as well as many other people, have read the book.
_______ 7. Hawking might be more familiar to them from an appearance on the
television program Star Trek: The Next Generation.
_______ 8. They would also have seen Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton, famous
scientists from the past, on that show.
_______ 9. The rerun of that episode was on last week and we watched it.
_______ 10. If that episode comes on again, please tell us.
_______ 11. Hawking’s book is about his theories of black holes and new universes.
_______ 12. The book also gives information about him and his personal life.
_______ 13. Someone asked him why he wrote a book.
_______ 14. Using a computer voice, he said that he did it because he had to pay for his
nurses.
_______ 15. What an amazing man he was!
_______ 16. In the past, people have asked Hawking many questions about his daily life.
_______ 17. They wanted him to explain how he was able to communicate.
_______ 18. How did the computer screen that was attached to his wheelchair work?
_______ 19. Did it operate like an ordinary computer?
_______ 20. How much work on the keyboard did he have to do?

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 2

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
THE NOMINATIVE CASE

6b The subject of a verb is in the nominative case.

EXAMPLES I read the magazine. [I is the subject of read.]
Anne and he sang together. [Anne and he are the two parts of the
compound subject of the verb sang.]
We hoped that they would win the contest. [We is the subject of hoped, and
they is the subject of would win.]
If you are not sure which form of the pronoun to use in a compound subject, try each
pronoun separately with the verb.
EXAMPLES (Him, He) and (me, I) waited for the bus.
Him waited for the bus. [incorrect use of objective case]
He waited for the bus. [correct use of nominative case]
Me waited for the bus. [incorrect use of objective case]
I waited for the bus. [correct use of nominative case]
ANSWER He and I waited for the bus.
6c A predicate nominative is in the nominative case.
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and explains or
identifies the subject of the sentence. A pronoun used as a predicate nominative always
follows a form of the verb be or a verb phrase ending in be or been.
EXAMPLES The writer of that essay is she. [She follows the linking verb is and
identifies the subject writer.]
The artist could have been he. [He follows the linking verb could have
been and identifies the subject artist.]
The co-captains of the team will be she and I. [She and I follow the linking
verb will be and identify the subject co-captains.]
The predicate nominative is not used as frequently today. In fact, while a sentence may
be grammatically correct with a predicate nominative construction, it may "sound"
awkward. If so, try transposing the elements to check the pronoun use.
EXAMPLES The mechanic could have been she. (predicate nominative)
She could have been the mechanic. (Rewritten in this order, it is clear that
she and not her is correct.)
NOTE In casual conversation, expressions such as It’s me and That’s her are acceptable.
Avoid them in more formal speaking situations, such as job interviews. In your
written work, don’t use them unless you are creating casual conversation in dialogue.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 3

EXERCISE 2 Identifying Nominative Case Pronouns
For each of the following sentences, underline the correct personal pronoun in
parentheses.
EX. It may be (she, her) at the door.
1. The ride was long and boring, and (I, me) soon fell asleep.
2. Mrs. Olivero and (her, she) enjoy jogging together.
3. Mom thought that (us, we) should learn how to cook authentic Mexican dishes.
4. Ray suggested that he and (I, me) study together after school.
5. The person in charge of the project is (he, him).
6. Gloria and (them, they) signed up to work at the recycling center.
7. The winners of the tournament could be that team or (we, us).
8. Would you and (she, her) like to stay for dinner?
9. I think that you and (me, I) will be chosen to represent our class.
10. The last two people to sign up to learn Korean in the adult education class were
my mother and (her, she).

EXERCISE 3 Proofreading for Correct Use of Nominative Case

Pronouns
In the paragraph below, draw a line through each incorrect pronoun form. Write the
correct pronoun in the space above the word. Some sentences are correct. Write C over
correct sentences.
I
EX. Karina and me wanted to learn how to make pottery.

[1] Her and I signed up for a pottery-making class at the Borden Crafts Center.
[2] Every Saturday morning, she and me bike over to the center. [3] Sylvia Chin is a
well-known local potter, and it is her who teaches the class. [4] She and her husband
also own a small pottery shop. [5] She makes the clay pottery; the sculptor of the
porcelain is him. [6] Sylvia says Karina and me will soon be making beautiful bowls and
cups. [7] Karina learns quickly and, in fact, the star of the class is her. [8] The one to
worry about doing well should be me. [9] Ms. Chin says, “I think that you and me have
something in common. [10] The first vase I ever made was mistaken for a cereal bowl.”

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 4

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
THE OBJECTIVE CASE

6d Direct objects and indirect objects are in the objective case.

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb or shows the
result of the action.
EXAMPLES The neighbor’s dog followed us home. [Us tells whom the dog followed.]
Elizabeth described it in perfect detail. [It tells what Elizabeth described.]
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that tells to whom or for whom the action of the
verb is done.
EXAMPLES Miss Acosta gave them free passes to the science museum. [Them tells to
whom Miss Acosta gave the passes.]
Hillary bought her the video. [Her tells for whom Hillary bought the video.]
To choose the correct pronoun in a compound direct object or compound indirect object,
try each form of the pronoun separately in the sentence.
EXAMPLE The artist drew a sketch of her and (me, I).
The artist drew I. [incorrect use of nominative case]
The artist drew me. [correct use of objective case]
ANSWER The artist drew a sketch of her and me.
EXAMPLE Julian sent them and (we, us) postcards.
Julian sent we postcards. [incorrect use of nominative case]
Julian sent us postcards. [correct use of objective case]
ANSWER Julian sent them and us postcards.

EXERCISE 4 Using Objective Case Pronouns

In each of the following sentences, write a personal pronoun on the line provided. Use a
variety of pronouns. Do not use you or it.
EX. The teacher gave them a surprise quiz.
1. Have you asked ____________ about the math assignment?
2. The committee will award ____________ an honorary prize.
3. After the auditions were over, the director picked ____________ to play the part
of the shopkeeper.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 5

 4. Carlotta’s mother offered ____________ and ____________ some helpful advice.
5. Tell ____________ three causes for the beginning of the Civil War.
6. The fire alarm startled ____________ .
7. Don’t forget to mail Janine and ____________ their concert tickets.
8. Tranh showed ____________ and ____________ how to make a Vietnamese
dessert called banhit.
9. Watching horror movies before bed sometimes gives ____________ nightmares.
10. A crowd of people pushed ____________ through the open doors.

EXERCISE 5 Proofreading Sentences for Correct Pronoun Case

In each of the sentences below, draw a line through any incorrect pronouns. On the line
before the sentence, write the correct form of each pronoun. If a sentence contains no
error in pronoun usage, write C.
EX. him I showed Dad and he photographs from the trip.

______________ 1. Because of heavy traffic, the ride from the airport took Francie
and I over an hour.
______________ 2. My uncle who lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, invited us to spend
part of the summer with him.
______________ 3. If this explanation confuses you and he, I’ll repeat it in simpler
terms.
______________ 4. The ending surprised he and I.
______________ 5. Who told you and she about what happened in science lab?
______________ 6. The reporter asked the other witnesses and I what had happened.
______________ 7. Dolores read he and me an excerpt from a book by one of her
favorite writers, Amy Tan.
______________ 8. We waved when we spotted Maurice and they a few rows back.
______________ 9. Mrs. Barry paid me generously for baby-sitting the twins.
______________ 10. A monorail carried our parents and we across the amusement
park.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 6

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
OBJECTS OF PREPOSITIONS

6e The object of a preposition is in the objective case.

A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, a noun or pronoun
that serves as the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object.
EXAMPLES from the governor near us behind the door
to Tekla and her in front of them next to him
When the object of a preposition is compound, try each pronoun separately in the
prepositional phrase.
EXAMPLE The report was prepared by (he, him) and (I, me).
The report was prepared by he. [incorrect use of nominative case]
The report was prepared by him. [correct use of objective case]
The report was prepared by I. [incorrect use of nominative case]
The report was prepared by me. [correct use of objective case]
ANSWER The report was prepared by him and me.
NOTE Using incorrect pronoun forms after the prepositions between and for is a
common error. The pronouns should be in the objective case.
INCORRECT between you and I; for he and they
CORRECT between you and me; for him and them

EXERCISE 6 Choosing Correct Pronouns as Objects of

Prepositions
In each of the following sentences, underline the correct pronoun in parentheses.
EX. The photograph was of (she, her) and (I, me).
1. The director lost his temper and yelled at (they, them).
2. These letters just arrived for Shanti and (I, me).
3. According to (he, him), this is the way to Becky’s house.
4. The dog jumped on the couch and squeezed between Lenny and (he, him).
5. After Val finished his biographical sketch of Harriet Tubman, he gave copies of it
to (we, us) and (he, him).
6. The kite soared high above (she, her) and (I, me).

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 7

 7. Six others are coming to the movie in addition to you and (I, me).
8. They were unaware that a giant snapping turtle was crawling behind (he, him) and
(she, her).
9. Tómas handed a bowl of the paella that he had made for Spanish class to (they,
them) and (I, me).
10. Who is standing in front of (they, them) and (we, us)?
11. Pilar wanted to know what her boss had said about (she, her).
12. During the earthquake, we heard the tinkling of glasses knocking together all
around (we, us).
13. Ask Namka and (he, him) if they can wash the dishes today for Ben and (I, me).
14. The rabbit tried to make herself small when she saw the hawk hovering over (she,
her).
15. What made you pour water onto (they, them) and (we, us)?

EXERCISE 7 Writing Sentences Using Pronouns as Objects of

Prepositions
Write 10 sentences, using each of the following prepositions with a personal pronoun as
the object of the preposition. Include compound objects in at least four of your sentences.
[Hint: You may want to refer to the charts of personal pronouns at the beginning of the
module.]
EX. without We left for school without James and her.
1. with
2. behind
3. for
4. instead of
5. except
6. according to
7. between
8. toward
9. concerning
10. because of

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 8

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
REVIEW EXERCISE

A. Identifying Correct Pronoun Forms

In each of the sentences below, underline the correct pronoun in parentheses. On the line
before the sentence, identify the pronoun’s use in the sentence. Write S for subject, PN
for predicate nominative, DO for direct object, IO for indirect object, or OP for object of
the preposition.
EX. S Will Maria and (she, her) leave early?

_______ 1. The teacher assigned (we, us) a report on the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks.
_______ 2. Cynthia and (she, her) have been friends since kindergarten.
_______ 3. Is there any mail for (he, him) and (I, me)?
_______ 4. Olympic silver medal winner Sasha Cohen inspired João and (she, her) to
take up ice-skating.
_______ 5. Are your sisters and (they, them) coming home for Thanksgiving?
_______ 6. It’s (he, him) or (she, her) at the door.
_______ 7. The referee seemed to be against (we, us).
_______ 8. Did you send (she, her) and (he, him) invitations to the awards ceremony?
_______ 9. When Spanish explorers came to the Americas, (they, them) came in search
of resources they valued.
_______ 10. The caller could have been Sadie or (she, her).
_______ 11. Brenda said, “I’ll give (she, her) a piece of my mind.”
_______ 12. Native Americans in the Northeast made birch canoes and used (they,
them) for fishing.
_______ 13. I looked up Fred Gipson in a biographical dictionary and found it was (he,
him) who wrote Old Yeller.
_______ 14. Marco thought the book on chess would turn (he, him) into a champion
player.
_______ 15. The archaeologists at the Cahokia site in East St. Louis gave permission for
(we, us) to visit the excavations.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 9

B. Proofreading for Correct Pronouns
In the paragraph below, draw a line through each pronoun used incorrectly. In the space above
it, write the correct form of the pronoun. Write C above sentences that contain no errors.
I
EX. She and me were discussing the portrayal of teenagers in the media.

[1] Often, media stories and television programs show we to be selfish and lazy.

[2] Here is a true story that her and I learned about that presents teenagers in a

different light. [3] Six-year-old Hung Ho was on his way home from school in

Modesto, California, when a German shepherd began chasing him. [4] The boy was so

frightened that him screamed and ran out into the street. [5] Coming down the street

and aimed right at he was an automobile. [6] At the time, 14-year-old Poeuth Pann was

at his post as school crossing guard. [7] Without thinking about his own safety, Poeuth

ran to Hung, and him grabbed the boy from the car’s path. [8] It was him that also

comforted Hung until the young boy stopped crying. [9] As a result of his actions, the

American Automobile Association presented Poeuth with one of its highest awards,

the School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Medal. [10] I don’t know if I could have been so

brave if that had been me.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 10

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
WHO AND WHOM

6f The use of who and whom in a subordinate clause depends on how the pronoun
functions in the clause.

Nominative Case who, whoever

Objective Case whom, whomever

NOTE In spoken English, the use of whom is gradually dying out. These days, it is
acceptable to begin any spoken question with who regardless of whether the
nominative or objective form is grammatically correct. In writing, though, it is
still important to distinguish between who and whom.
When you are deciding whether to use who or whom in a subordinate clause, follow these
steps.
Step 1: Find the subordinate clause.
Step 2: Decide how the pronoun is used in the clause—as a subject, predicate
nominative, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.
Step 3: Determine the case of the pronoun according to the rules of English.
Step 4: Select the correct form of the pronoun.

EXAMPLE Did you know that Julio is the one (who, whom) saved seats for us?
Step 1: The subordinate clause is (who, whom) saved seats for us.
Step 2: In this clause, the pronoun is the subject of the verb saved.
Step 3: As a subject, the pronoun should be in the nominative case.
Step 4: The nominative form is who.
ANSWER Did you know that Julio is the one who saved the seats for us?

EXAMPLE Rosie is the one (who, whom) the judges selected.

Step 1: The subordinate clause is (who, whom) the judges selected.
Step 2: In this clause, the pronoun is the direct object of the verb selected: The judges
selected (who, whom)?
Step 3: As a direct object, the pronoun should be in the objective case.
Step 4: The objective form is whom.
ANSWER Rosie is the one whom the judges selected.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 11

Remember that no words outside the subordinate clause affect the case of the pronoun.
Frequently, whom is left out of a subordinate clause, but its function is understood.
EXAMPLE The woman (whom) I spoke to is my aunt. [Whom is understood to be the
object of the preposition to.]

EXERCISE 8 Identifying the Use of Who and Whom in

Subordinate Clauses
In each sentence below, underline the subordinate clause containing who or whom. On
the line before each sentence, write how the relative pronoun (who or whom) is used in its
own clause. Write S for subject, PN for predicate nominative, DO for direct object, IO
for indirect object, or OP for object of the preposition.
EX. PN Do we know who the members were?

_______ 1. The people whom I read about were scientists.

_______ 2. These scientists, who belonged to the Rapid Assessment Program, studied
specific areas of the world’s rain forests.
_______ 3. Do you know who the leader of the group was?
_______ 4. The team leader was Ted Parker, who liked studying birds.
_______ 5. Do you know to whom the study of mammals was most interesting?
_______ 6. Louise Emmons, who spent her childhood in such places as Malaysia and
Spain, still studies mammals.
_______ 7. Team members gathered the information for whoever needed it.
_______ 8. Some of the information continues to be used to prove to those who live
near the rain forest that laws should be passed to preserve the forest.
_______ 9. Those people take this information to lawmakers whom they trust to make
new laws.
_______ 10. This action benefits everyone, especially those people for whom the forest
is home.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 12

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
OTHER PRONOUN PROBLEMS

6f Pronouns used as appositives should be in the same case as the word they
refer to.
An appositive is a noun or pronoun used with another noun or pronoun to identify or
explain it.
EXAMPLES The program speakers, he and she, should sit up front. [The pronouns are in
the nominative case because they are in apposition with the subject
speakers.]
He cooked enough food for three people, her, him, and me. [The pronouns
are in the objective case because they are in apposition with the object of the
preposition people.]
To figure out the correct form of a pronoun used as an appositive or with an appositive,
read the sentence with only the pronoun.
EXAMPLES The woman offered the two boys, Paul and (he, him), a reward.
The woman offered he a reward. [incorrect]
The woman offered him a reward. [correct]
The woman offered the two boys, Paul and him, a reward.
(We, Us) friends went camping together.
Us went camping together. [incorrect]
We went camping together. [correct]
We friends went camping together.

EXERCISE 9 Identifying the Correct Pronouns

In each of the following sentences, underline the correct pronoun in parentheses.
EX. Mom called (we, us) girls in to dinner.
1. Have you met the new students, Denise and (they, them)?
2. Her best friends, Miki and (she, her), are her most loyal companions.
3. The band dedicated their final song to the music teachers, Ms. Enzio and (she,
her).
4. The magnet school sent two applicants, you and (I, me), acceptance letters.
5. Two people, Karl and (he, him), missed the bus.
6. James Berry’s children’s short story “Ajeemah and His Son” is a favorite of my
younger sister Odessa and (she, her).

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 13

 7. (We, Us) yearbook workers meet every Wednesday before school.
8. The magician demonstrated for (we, us) members of the audience how the trick
was done.
9. We heard the best chorus singers, Elena, Janos, and (he, him), in the concert.
10. Last Sunday evening, (we, us) photo club members gathered to look at slides of
Anna’s trip.

6h After than or as introducing an incomplete construction, use the pronoun

form that would be used if the construction were completed.
EXAMPLES I understand French better than she (understands French).
I understand French better than (I understand) her.
We visit the city as often as they (visit the city).
We visit the city as often as (we visit) them.

EXERCISE 10 Selecting Pronouns for Incomplete Constructions

in Sentences
In the space provided, write the correct pronoun in parentheses for each of the following
sentences. Also, write in parentheses the missing part of the incomplete construction. If a
sentence may be completed in two different ways, write both completions.
EX. I know Janet better than (she, her).
she (knows Janet); (I know) her
_____________ 1. We argued about the answer more loudly than (they, them).
_____________ 2. Did they talk about the incident as much as (we, us)?
_____________ 3. I understood the meaning of the poem better than (he, him).
_____________ 4. She watched the dance exhibition longer than (I, me).
_____________ 5. Joe ate more lunch than (we, us).
_____________ 6. Ms. Belindo offered to pay Nancy more than (we, us).
_____________ 7. Did Kai hand in her paper sooner than (I, me)?
_____________ 8. I traveled to see Grandfather as often as (they, them).
_____________ 9. Koko liked Mr. Hirata even less than (she, her).
_____________ 10. Not many gardeners are as careful as (she, her).

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 14

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
INEXACT PRONOUN REFERENCE

6i A pronoun should always refer clearly to its antecedent.

(1) Avoid an ambiguous reference.
In an ambiguous reference, a pronoun can refer to more than one antecedent.

AMBIGUOUS Bob saw Andy on his way home. [Who was on his way home, Bob or
Andy?]
CLEAR While Bob was on his way home, he saw Andy.
or
CLEAR While Andy was on his way home, Bob saw him.

(2) Be sure that each pronoun you use has a specific, stated antecedent.
Sometimes a writer will suggest a particular word or idea without stating it. A pronoun that
refers to this unstated word or idea is said to have a weak reference to the antecedent.
WEAK When I’m ready to eat, I cook it quickly in the microwave. [It may refer to
breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. The writer suggests, but does not state,
which one.]
CLEAR When I’m ready to eat lunch, I cook it quickly in the microwave.
WEAK Joy loves playing the piano and wants to study it in college. [It may refer to the
unstated noun music.]
CLEAR Joy loves playing the piano, and she wants to study music in college.
In conversation, people often use the pronouns it, they, and you unnecessarily. In writing,
be sure to avoid such indefinite reference errors.

INDEFINITE On the postcard, it has a place for your return address. [The pronoun it
is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.]
CLEAR The postcard has a place for your return address.
INDEFINITE On the television news program, they warned that there would be a
severe thunderstorm. [The pronoun they is not necessary to the
meaning of the sentence.]
CLEAR The television news program issued a severe thunderstorm warning.

NOTE Familiar expressions such as it is raining, it’s early, and it seems like are correct
even though they contain inexact pronoun references. The antecedents to these
pronouns are commonly understood to be the weather, time, and so forth.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 15

 EXERCISE 11 Correcting Inexact Pronoun References
Rewrite each sentence, correcting the inexact pronoun reference.
EX. Michael talked to Max while he was in the cafeteria.
While Michael was in the cafeteria, he talked to Max.
1. Sue saw Aretha while she was waiting at the bus stop.
Sue saw Aretha while Sue was waiting at the bus stop. Sue saw Aretha while Aretha was waiting at the bus stop.

2. After reading Rob’s poem and Earl’s essay, Ms. Cowens commended it.
Ms. Cowens commended Rob's poem. Ms. Cowens commended Earl's essay.
3. Whenever I see a play, I want to be like that.

4. In the article about basketball player Kobe Bryant, they talk about his childhood.

5. Fish were jumping all over the lake, but I didn’t catch it.

EXERCISE 12 Proofreading for Inexact Pronoun References

Revise the paragraph to correct inexact pronoun references.
EX. They sometimes call the surgeon general the nation's top doctor.
The surgeon general is sometimes called the nation's top doctor.
[1] In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed a new surgeon general, and it was
confirmed by the United States Senate. [2] Dr. Joycelyn Elders succeeded Dr. Antonia
Novello, and she was this country’s 15th surgeon general. [3] In her career as a medical
doctor, she concentrated on children’s diseases, studying their causes and why they got
them. [4] Because Dr. Elders was especially interested in health issues related to
children, as surgeon general she focused on it. [5] In this article about Dr. Elders, they
say that Dr. Elders oversaw the 6,500 people who work for the Public Health Service.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 6 16

MODULE 6: USING PRONOUNS CORRECTLY
MODULE REVIEW

A. Correcting Pronoun Forms in Sentences

In each sentence below, draw a line through the incorrect pronoun form. On the line
before the sentence, write the correct form of the pronoun. If the sentence contains no
errors, write C.
EX. she Ben and her went to the movies together.
_______
who 1. We asked whom the stranger was.
_______
he 2. Can you make up song lyrics as well as him?
_______
she 3. Halfway through the race, the leaders were Angie, Marty, and her.
me
_______ 4. Sitting right in front of Josh and I was a famous actor.
_______
she 5. Do you and her disagree about everything?

me
_______ 6. Aki demonstrated her karate skills to Melissa, Paula, and I.
correct 7. The coach asked her and me to work with the new players.
_______
_______
he 8. This year, there will be two band leaders, Elena and him.
_______
correct 9. Who do you think will be elected mayor next month?

_______
she 10. Karla is a good artist, and no one draws better than her.

B. Proofreading a Paragraph for Correct Pronoun Forms

In the following paragraph, draw a line through each incorrect pronoun form. In the space
above it, write the correct form of the pronoun. Some sentences may contain no errors.
We
EX. Us students believed we could make things better.

[1] On our way home from school every day, a group of we students would walk
past a vacant lot that was overgrown with weeds and littered with bottles, cans, and
other trash. [2] Tanya and me would always comment about how awful the place
looked and how someone should clean it up. [3] One day Nat, who likes to tease me,
said, “You two, her and you, should clean it up if it bothers you so much.” [4] At first
I just gave him one of my looks that said, “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

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 [5] Then Tanya said that maybe Nat was actually talking smarter than us for a change.
[6] So, for the next six weeks, her and I showed up at the vacant lot every Saturday
morning in our work clothes. [7] Nat came, too, with his older brother, and you
wouldn’t believe what hard workers they were. [8] Our parents gave us some trash
bags and rubber gloves. [9] Before us kids knew it, the weeds and litter were gone, and
the place was cleaned up. [10] That vacant lot is now a pretty park, and no one could
be prouder than us.

C. Writing a Report on a Music Video

You are the director of a music video for the new song called “Life on the Edge.” You
have been asked to write a report to the producer to explain your ideas for the video.
Think about what it might be like to plan and direct a music video for your favorite
song. Write a report that explains your ideas for the video. Decide which singers, dancers,
and musicians you will cast in your video. Their names may be fictitious or real. On your
own paper, write 15 sentences about the performers and the set. Include information
about the performers’ roles in the video. In 10 of the sentences, use a different pronoun.
Be sure all pronouns have clear, definite antecedents.
EX. Video Report: Ziggy Marley would use his talent in Jamaican music to set the
rhythm. I think we should light the set to make it look like the sun is shining.
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