Pronoun Case
subjective, objective, possessive
Pronouns (and nouns) in English display "case"
according to their function in the sentence. Their
function can be:
• subjective (they act as the subject)
• objective (they act as the object)
• possessive (they show possession of something
else)
The following table shows the different forms for
pronouns depending on case.
(Refer Image)
A problem of case: Mary and I or Mary and me?
1. Mary and I are delighted to be here today.
(NOT Mary and me)
2. The letter was addressed to Mary and me.
(NOT Mary and I)
In 1, Mary and I are subjects, which is why the
pronoun takes the subjective case ("I"). In 2, Mary
and I are objects, which is why the pronoun takes
the objective case ("me"). An easy way to check
the correct case is to try the sentence without
Mary. Would you say "I am delighted to be here"
or "Me am delighted to be here"? Would you say
"The letter was addressed to me" or "The letter
was addressed to I"?