What is the pronoun trick?

The "pronoun trick" is a simple and effective editing technique used to determine the correct case of a pronoun (whether it should be subjective like "I," "she," "he," or objective like "me," "her," "him") when it appears in a compound group, such as "him and I" or "her and her husband." This trick helps writers avoid common grammatical errors by simplifying complex pronoun constructions.

Understanding and Applying the Pronoun Trick

The core idea behind the pronoun trick is to temporarily isolate the pronoun in question. By doing so, you can quickly hear whether the pronoun sounds correct in its context, helping you choose the appropriate form.

Here's how to apply it:

1. Identify the Compound Group: Locate the phrase where a pronoun is linked with another noun or pronoun using "and" or "or" (e.g., "John and me," "she and her sister").
2. Remove the Other Element: Temporarily delete the conjunction ("and," "or") and the other person or noun from the compound group.
3. Read the Sentence Aloud: Say the sentence with only the remaining pronoun.
4. Check for Correctness: If the sentence sounds grammatically correct with just the pronoun, then the pronoun's case is correct. If it sounds wrong, you need to change the pronoun's case.

Applying the Trick: An Example

Let's illustrate the pronoun trick with a common mistake:

• Incorrect Sentence: Reita said her and her husband will donate the dental hygiene items for the children's travel packets.

Applying the trick:

1. Compound Group: "her and her husband"
2. Remove Other Element: Delete "and her husband."
3. Read Aloud: "Reita said her will donate..."
4. Check: Does "Reita said her will donate" sound correct? No, it sounds incorrect. "Her" is an objective pronoun, but in this sentence, it's acting as a subject (the one performing the action of donating).

• Correct Sentence: Reita said she and her husband will donate the dental hygiene items for the children's travel packets.

Why "she"? If you read "Reita said she will donate," it sounds perfectly correct, because "she" is the proper subjective pronoun to perform the action.

Why Does It Work? Pronoun Case Basics

The pronoun trick works because it helps you subconsciously apply the rules of pronoun case, which dictate whether a pronoun should be in its subjective (doing the action) or objective (receiving the action) form.

• Subjective Pronouns: Used when the pronoun is the subject of a verb (performing the action).
  • Examples: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who
• Objective Pronouns: Used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition (receiving the action or following a preposition).
  • Examples: me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom

For more detailed information on pronoun cases, you can consult reliable grammar resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).

More Practical Examples

Let's look at a couple more common scenarios where the pronoun trick proves invaluable:

• Example 1: After a Preposition

  • Incorrect: This secret is just between you and I.
  • Apply Trick: Remove "and you."
  • Read: "This secret is just between I." (Incorrect)
  • Correct: This secret is just between you and me. (Because "between me" is correct; "between" is a preposition, requiring an objective pronoun.)

• Example 2: Compound Subject

  • Incorrect: Him and I are going to the concert.
  • Apply Trick 1: Remove "and I."
  • Read: "Him is going to the concert." (Incorrect)
  • Apply Trick 2: Remove "Him and."
  • Read: "I am going to the concert." (Correct for "I")
  • Correct: He and I are going to the concert. (Because "He is going" is correct.)

When to Use the Trick

The pronoun trick is particularly useful whenever a pronoun is part of a compound subject or object. This often occurs when you're talking about yourself and another person (e.g., "my friend and I" vs. "my friend and me"). By isolating the pronoun, you can eliminate the confusion that often arises from the compound structure, allowing your ear to guide you to the correct grammatical form.