The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, ​
Act I, ​
by William Shakespeare Build Grammar Skills: Pronoun Case in Elliptical Clauses In an ​
elliptical clause, ​
some words are omitted because they are understood. In selecting the case of the pronoun in an elliptical clause, you must know what the unstated words are. In the following examples, the unstated words are in brackets. Mary ordered the same sandwich as ​
he ​
[did]. Jack likes mustard better than ​
I ​
[like mustard]. The waiter brought Sally the same dessert as [he brought] ​
her​
. Notice that elliptical clauses are often used to draw comparisons. In elliptical clauses beginning with ​
than ​
or ​
as​
, use the form of the pronoun that you would use if the clause were fully stated. To help choose the correct pronoun case, first say the unstated clause to yourself. Doing so will allow you “hear” the agreement more clearly. If the words left out come ​
after ​
the pronoun, use a nominative pronoun. If the words left out come ​
before ​
the pronoun, use an objective pronoun because the pronoun will be an object. A. Practice: ​
Circle the pronoun that correctly completes the elliptical clause. 1. The Montagues have been as stubborn as (they, them). 2. Although Romeo has been in love with Rosaline, he discovers that he loves Juliet more than (she, her). 3. Juliet is as interested in a relationship as (he, him). 4. When talking to other Capulets, Tybalt seems more upset about Romeo’s presence than (they, them). 5. Even though Paris wants to marry her, Juliet is more drawn to Romeo than (he, him). 6. I don’t think anyone likes Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech as much as (I, me). 7. There is another literature class that has read more Shakespeare than (we, us). B. Writing Application: ​
Write a pronoun that correctly completes the elliptical clause. 1. My friend Dan enjoys drama more than __________. 2. Of all his friends, he tries out for more plays than __________. 3. When Alice saw her lines, she found that the director had given Dan the same lines to practice as __________. 4. Alice was not as happy as __________ about the long hours of rehearsal. 5. I think Dan is more dedicated to drama than __________.