Objective Case
Using the objective case indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object.
Objective Pronouns |
|
|---|---|
| Singular | me her, him, it |
| Plural | us them |
| Singular and Plural | you whom |
A pronoun as a direct object
- My dog likes me.
- DOG is the subject of the sentence. ME is the direct object of the verb LIKES.
- If you don't mind, Would you please take him to class.
- YOU is the subject of the independent clause. HIM is the direct object of the verb WOULD TAKE.
- The teachers sent her to the infirmary.
- TEACHERS is the subject of the sentence. HER is the direct object of the verb SENT.
- Whom does Alejandro wish to see?
- ALEJANDRO is the subject of the sentence. WHOM is the object of the infinitive TO SEE.
- Alex is the person whom she met at the opening.
- SHE is the subject of the dependent clause. WHOM is the direct object of the verb MET.
A pronoun as an indirect object
- Danny handed her the ball.
- DANNY is the subject of the sentence. BALL is the direct object of the verb HANDED. HER is the indirect object.
- When Eric returned from camp, his father gave him a hug.
- FATHER is the subject of the independent clause. HUG is the direct object of the verb GAVE. HIM is the indirect object.
- Tom offered Mark and me a ride home.
- Tom is the subject of the sentence. RIDE is the direct object of the verb OFFERED. MARK and ME are the indirect objects.
- Marvin wondered whom he should give the message.
- HE is the subject of the dependent clause. MESSAGE is the direct object of the verb SHOULD GIVE. WHOM is the indirect object.
- Did the group announce whom they had presented the bonus?
- THEY is the subject of the dependent clause. BONUS is the direct object of the verb HAD PRESENTED. WHO is the indirect object.
A pronoun as an object of a preposition
- For him, no other choice seems reasonable.
- FOR is a preposition. HIM is the object of the preposition.
- Between you and me, this is a tough test.
- BETWEEN is a preposition. YOU and ME are an objects of the preposition.
- Experts agree that there is a time bomb inside her just waiting to go off.
- INSIDE is a preposition. HER is the object of the preposition.
- To whom do you wish to speak?
- TO is a preposition. WHOM is the object of the preposition.
- Did Cody's father tell him whom he wanted to save this letter for?
- FOR is a preposition. WHOM is the object of the preposition.
A pronoun as an object of a verbal (Gerund, Participle, Infinitive)
- Reprimanding Jerry and her does little good.
- REPRIMANDING is a gerund. HER is an object of the gerund.
- He wants to call her.
- TO CALL is an infinitive. HER is the object of the infinitive.
- Calling him from the shore, Tina tried to get Allan's attention.
- CALLING is a participle. HIM is the object of the participle.
Objective pronouns in a comparison
Use the objective case after "than" if the pronoun doesn't compare or contrast with the subject, but is being compared or contrasted to an object or complement.
- He likes us better than them. (objective case)
- This means that he likes us better than he likes them.
- He likes us better than they. (subjective case)
- This means that he likes us better than they likes us.
Use the objective case after "than" if the comparison features a noun or pronoun with the adjective.
- There is no faster runner than her.
- If the sentence included only the adjective FASTER, the pronoun would be subjective (There is no faster than she).
- You are a much better artist than him.