Grammar - Possessive Pronouns: Subjective (Nominative) &

Objective
Pronouns appear either in the subjective or objective case. If a pronoun refers to the subject of
a sentence, a clause, or if it follows a linking verb, then it is in the subjective case. If a pronoun
is the object of a verb or preposition, then it is in the objective case.

Subjective Singular Plural

(nominative) case/
pronouns
st
1 person I We
nd
2 person You You
rd
3 person He, She, It They
Relative (who = people, Who, Whoever, Which, Who, Whoever, Which,
which = things, that = Whichever Whichever
concepts)
Demonstrative (denotes This, That These, Those
specificity)
Interrogative Who? Which? What? Who? Which? What?

When pronouns are in the subjective, or nominative (naming), case they are used to refer to the
person or thing acting. Subjects of verbs are in the subjective case.
Example: She addressed the instructor.

The pronouns in the above table are used to conjugate verbs.

Example: I am going to class now. You are going to be late.

Subjective pronouns are also used to replace a noun phrase or proper noun phrase which has
been used in the previous sentence as a subject.
Example: Mary went to the class. When class was finished, she intended to go home.

Objective case/ Singular Plural

pronouns
st
1 person Me Us
nd
2 person You You
rd
3 person Him, Her It Them
Relative (who = people, Whom, Whomever Whom, Whomever
which = things, that =
concepts)

Demonstrative This, That These, Those

(denotes specificity)
Interrogative To + whom? To + whom?

When pronouns function as objects of verbs or prepositions, they are in the objective case.
Example: The instructor called on me.
 Subjective Singular Plural
(nominative) or
Objective
case/possessive
pronouns which
replace the article
st
1 person My Our
nd
2 person Yours Yours
rd
3 person His, Her, Its Their
Interrogative Whose? Whose?

These pronouns are used to replace an article of a noun phrase and show possession.
Example: Your binder holds your notes. (“Your binder” is the subject; “your notes” is the
object.) Follow the same pattern for interrogative pronouns (“Is this yours?”).

Objective Singular Plural

case/possessive
pronouns
st
1 person Mine Ours
nd
2 person Yours Yours
rd
3 person His, Hers, Its Theirs
Interrogative Whose? Whose?

Objective pronouns are used to show ownership.

Example: Here is a book. It is mine. (It is a pronoun in the subjective case; mine is a
possessive pronoun in the objective case).

Subjective Singular Plural

(nominative) or
Objective case/
reflexive pronouns
st
1 person Myself Ours
nd
2 person Yourself Yourselves
rd
3 person Himself, Herself, Itself Themselves

This set represents reflexive pronouns, which are usually used when the subject and object of
the sentence are the same:
Example: Randy surprised himself.

Reflexive pronouns are also used as objects of the sentence when they refer back to the
subject.
Example: They did not do the research themselves.

Reflexive pronouns need not be used when a personal pronoun will do.
Example: The group included George and me.
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