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1 Here’s the Idea
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Using Pronouns in Compounds
People often make mistakes when they use pronouns as parts
of compound subjects and compound objects.
Use the subject pronouns I, she, he, we, and they in a
compound subject or a compound predicate pronoun.
Shawn and he are on the same study team.
The leaders of the team are he and I.
The librarian gave Shawn and her some books.
To choose the correct case of a pronoun in a compound
subject or object, mentally screen out the other noun or
pronoun. Then choose the correct case.
Shawn gave an article to Darlene and (I, me). (Me is the
object of the preposition to—therefore, to Darlene and me is correct.)
Phrases that Interfere
Sometimes words and phrases come between a subject and
a pronoun that refers to it. Don’t be confused by the words
in between.
ERS TO
REF
Darlene, like the others, is working on her report.
(Her agrees with Danielle and not with others.)
ERS TO
REF
Harriet Tubman, unlike many people, risked her life to
free slaves. (Her agrees with Harriet Tubman and not with people.)
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PRONOUNS
Use the object pronouns me, her, him, us, and them in a
compound object.
Our friends saw Darlene and me at the library.
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2 Why It Matters in Writing
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Some people think I sounds more correct than me in a
compound object. “I” is only correct when used as a subject or
predicate pronoun. Watch out for this common mistake when
you write.
You and I make great study partners. It’s easy to divide
me
the work between you and I. I ask the questions.You find
the answers!
CHAPTER 3
3 Practice and Apply
●
A. CONCEPT CHECK: More Pronoun Problems
Choose the correct pronoun to complete each sentence.
A Friend to Her People
1. Our social studies teacher asked Danielle and (I, me) to
do a report on Harriet Tubman.
2. The librarian helped (her, she) and me with the research.
3. Both (she, her) and I knew that Tubman led slaves to
freedom on the Underground Railroad.
4. Many facts about Tubman were new to (she, her) and me.
5. More than 300 slaves, including Harriet’s own sister,
owed (their, her) freedom to Tubman.
6. (She, Her) and the runaways had to move secretly from
one house to another along the Underground Railroad.
7. Tubman, like other conductors, wouldn’t let any of (her,
their) runaways turn back.
8. Slave owners placed a $40,000 reward on her head.
That fact surprised Danielle and (me, I).
9. John Brown, another of the freedom fighters, praised
Tubman in (his, their) letters and speeches.
10. The librarian gave copies of some letters to Danielle and
(I, me).
●
●
For a SELF-CHECK and more practice, see the EXERCISE BANK, p. 540.
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B. PROOFREADING: Correct Use of Pronouns
On a separate sheet of paper, correct the underlined pronoun
errors.
RO S S T
M
Darren and me read about the Underground Railroad. Darren and I
Him and I soon realized that it was not “underground” and it He and I
was not a “railroad.” Instead, it was a secret network of
escape routes for slaves. This network of escape routes had
their beginning in the South. The paths of the Underground its
Railroad crisscrossed its way through the North. Eventually, their
many routes ended in Canada. Canada, unlike the United
States, had outlawed slavery within their borders. its
The Underground Railroad was a hard journey for runaway
slaves. Abolitionists and them were tracked by slave hunters. they
Anyone caught could be tried and sentenced to death!
Answers in column.
C. WRITING: SOCIAL STUDIES: Drafting from a Time Line
Read the following biographical time line. Then write
a paragraph about Harriet Tubman, based on the
information. Underline any pronouns you use.
PRONOUNS
ICUL
U
CU
RR
HE
AC
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Example: Harriet Tubman was born around 1820
in Dorchester County, Maryland. She ran away for
the first time when she was about six or seven
years old.
1820?
1849
Born in
Dorchester
County, Maryland.
1820
1827?
1830
Runs away for the
first time, but goes
back. Is punished by
the farm owners
Harriet worked for.
Harriet flees to Pennsylvania
and freedom. Many people
help Harriet along the
Underground Railroad.
1840
1844
1850
Marries John Tubman.
Wants John to run away
with her. John refuses
and stays in Maryland.
1860
1850–1860s
Serves as a conductor on the
Underground Railroad. Brings more
than 300 people out of slavery.
People admire Harriet. People call
Harriet “Moses.”
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