GMAT Verbal : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

This is a very difficult decision that will not be taken lightly, either by him or myself.

Possible Answers:

neither by him nor myself.

either by him or by myself.

either by him or myself.

either for him or myself.

either by him or me.

Correct answer:

either by him or me.

Explanation:

The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is incorrect in this sentence, as it has no earlier pronoun or noun to reflect back to in the earlier part of the sentence. The correct pronoun for this sentence is the simple objective pronoun "me." The only answer choice that makes the correct change to the underlined portion of the sentence is "either by him or me."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

"Working towards a peaceful solution is the most important thing," said the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

Possible Answers:

said the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

said the Secretary of State "for both the President and I."

says the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

said the Secretary of State: "for both the President and I."

Correct answer:

said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the final quoted part of this sentence is incorrect, as it is functioning as an object of the preposition "for," but "I" is the subjective form of the first person pronoun. The correct pronoun for the object in a sentence is "me." Therefore, as the only answer choice to use the right pronoun, the correct answer is "said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The speech was viewed curiously by his fellow candidates, all of who were interested in what political positions the governor would outline for his presidential run.

Possible Answers:

all who were interested for what political positions

all who were interesting in what political positions

all who were interested in which political positions

all of whom were interested in what political positions

all who were interested in what political positions

Correct answer:

all of whom were interested in what political positions

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronoun "who" in this sentence is incorrect, as the pronoun is the object of the preposition "of." Pronouns that function as objects of prepositions need to be in their objective forms, not their subjective forms. The correct answer choice is the one in which "who" is changed to "whom"; this means that "all of whom were interested in what political positions" is the correct choice.

Example Question #4 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

The newspaper was delivered every morning to him and I.

Possible Answers:

from him and I.

to me and him.

to he and I.

for him and I.

to he and me.

Correct answer:

to me and him.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence is the object, and both words need to be in the objective form. "Him" is objective, but "I" should only be used as a subject. The correct answer is "to me and him."

Example Question #5 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Me and you have never seen eye to eye on any issue.

Possible Answers:

Me and you

You and I

You, me

I and You

You and me

Correct answer:

You and I

Explanation:

The problem with the sentence is in the two pronouns underlined. The correct usage of the first person pronoun as an object is "I," not "me." Additionally, "you" should come before "I." 

Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.

I know that Trudy is generally a kind girl, but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

Possible Answers:

but she and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

Correct answer:

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

Explanation:

The speaker and Trudy together form the subject of the underlined clause, and so both pronouns need to be subject pronouns. Of the options given here, "she and I" is the only one where this is the case ("we," of course, would also work).

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Us and them are going to join together for the greater good.

Possible Answers:

Them and we

They and we

Us and they

Them and us

Us and them

Correct answer:

They and we

Explanation:

The pronouns "us" and "them" are actually the object forms of their respective pronouns, but are used as the subjects of the sentence. Both words need to be changed into the subject forms. The correct answer choice is "They and we."

Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

Me and you have to go to the store.

Possible Answers:

Me and you has

Me and you have

You and I has

You and me have

You and I have

Correct answer:

You and I have

Explanation:

"Me" is always appropriately used as the object of a sentence, while it is used in this sentence as the subject. The first person subjective pronoun "I" must be used instead. "You and I have" is the only answer choice that does this and uses the appropriate verb form "have."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Him and I are going to make the case in the morning for tougher standards.

Possible Answers:

Him and I are gone

He and I are going

Him and I going

I and him are going

Him and I are going

Correct answer:

He and I are going

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect, as "him" should only be used as the object of the sentence. The proper third person male pronoun for the subject of the sentence is "he," making "He and I are going" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #141 : Correcting Pronoun Errors

She and him have been bitter enemies since they were children in Little League.

Possible Answers:

She and him having been

She and he have been

She and he having been

She and him has been

She and him have been

Correct answer:

She and he have been

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him" is incorrect in the sentence, as it used as the subject, but can only be used as the object of the sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to "he," but otherwise the sentence is absolutely correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "She and he have been."

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