Learn on PengiElements of Language, 5th CourseChapter 6: Using Pronouns Correctly: Case Forms of Pronouns

Lesson 2: Personal Pronouns: Objective Case

In this Grade 8 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 5th Course, students learn to use personal pronouns in the objective case — me, you, him, her, it, us, and them — correctly as direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. The lesson explains how each function determines which pronoun form to choose, with guided examples and practice exercises reinforcing the rules. Students also explore possessive pronouns such as mine, hers, and theirs when used in object positions within a sentence.

Section 1

Objective Case: Direct and Indirect Objects

Definition

A direct object should be in the objective case.
An indirect object should be in the objective case.

Explanation

Objective case pronouns are the receivers of the action in a sentence. A direct object gets the action straight from the verb (e.g., The ball hit him.). An indirect object shows to whom or for whom the action happens (e.g., She gave me the ball.). The key objective pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.

Examples

  • The sudden sound alarmed us. [Us receives the action of the verb alarmed.]
  • Samuel passed her the notes from class. [The indirect object her tells to whom notes were passed. The direct object notes receives the action of the verb passed.]
  • When my cat started to hide, the little boy gently pet (she, her). [The pronoun is the direct object of the verb pet, so it should be in the objective case.]

Section 2

Objective Case: Object of a Preposition

Definition

An object of a preposition should be in the objective case.

Explanation

Whenever a pronoun directly follows a preposition, it must be in the objective case. This pronoun is called the object of the preposition. Just remember that phrases like "for we" or "with she" are incorrect. The prepositions—such as for, with, to, beside, and from—need an objective pronoun like us or her to complete them.

Examples

  • A new student is sitting next to him. [Him is the object of the preposition next to.]
  • Ms. Chen chose a few articles for Sarah and (I, me). [A pronoun used as an object of a preposition should be in the objective case.]
  • The last slices of pizza were saved for (they, them). [The pronoun is the object of the preposition for, so the objective case is required.]

Section 3

Possessive Case Pronouns

Definition

The possessive pronouns mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs are used in the same ways that the pronouns in the nominative and objective cases are used.
The possessive pronouns my, your, his, her, its, our, and their are used to modify nouns.
A noun or pronoun that precedes a gerund should be in the possessive case.

Explanation

Possessive pronouns show ownership! One type, like my or your, acts as an adjective to describe a noun: "my phone." The other type, like mine or yours, can stand alone as a subject or object: "That phone is mine." Always use a possessive pronoun before a gerund (an -ing verb used as a noun) to show who is doing the action, like in "his running."

Examples

  • That drawing is mine. [Mine is a predicate nominative that shows ownership.]
  • I believe his answer was the most creative. [His is a possessive pronoun used to modify the noun answer.]
  • The coach was impressed by their practicing every day. [Their modifies the gerund practicing.]
  • Dave misplaced his own jacket, so Sarah offered (him, his). [The possessive pronoun his should be used to indicate possession of the jacket.]

Book overview

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Chapter 6: Using Pronouns Correctly: Case Forms of Pronouns

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Personal Pronouns: Nominative and Possessive Case

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Personal Pronouns: Objective Case

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Special Problems in Pronoun Usage

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Objective Case: Direct and Indirect Objects

Definition

A direct object should be in the objective case.
An indirect object should be in the objective case.

Explanation

Objective case pronouns are the receivers of the action in a sentence. A direct object gets the action straight from the verb (e.g., The ball hit him.). An indirect object shows to whom or for whom the action happens (e.g., She gave me the ball.). The key objective pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.

Examples

  • The sudden sound alarmed us. [Us receives the action of the verb alarmed.]
  • Samuel passed her the notes from class. [The indirect object her tells to whom notes were passed. The direct object notes receives the action of the verb passed.]
  • When my cat started to hide, the little boy gently pet (she, her). [The pronoun is the direct object of the verb pet, so it should be in the objective case.]

Section 2

Objective Case: Object of a Preposition

Definition

An object of a preposition should be in the objective case.

Explanation

Whenever a pronoun directly follows a preposition, it must be in the objective case. This pronoun is called the object of the preposition. Just remember that phrases like "for we" or "with she" are incorrect. The prepositions—such as for, with, to, beside, and from—need an objective pronoun like us or her to complete them.

Examples

  • A new student is sitting next to him. [Him is the object of the preposition next to.]
  • Ms. Chen chose a few articles for Sarah and (I, me). [A pronoun used as an object of a preposition should be in the objective case.]
  • The last slices of pizza were saved for (they, them). [The pronoun is the object of the preposition for, so the objective case is required.]

Section 3

Possessive Case Pronouns

Definition

The possessive pronouns mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs are used in the same ways that the pronouns in the nominative and objective cases are used.
The possessive pronouns my, your, his, her, its, our, and their are used to modify nouns.
A noun or pronoun that precedes a gerund should be in the possessive case.

Explanation

Possessive pronouns show ownership! One type, like my or your, acts as an adjective to describe a noun: "my phone." The other type, like mine or yours, can stand alone as a subject or object: "That phone is mine." Always use a possessive pronoun before a gerund (an -ing verb used as a noun) to show who is doing the action, like in "his running."

Examples

  • That drawing is mine. [Mine is a predicate nominative that shows ownership.]
  • I believe his answer was the most creative. [His is a possessive pronoun used to modify the noun answer.]
  • The coach was impressed by their practicing every day. [Their modifies the gerund practicing.]
  • Dave misplaced his own jacket, so Sarah offered (him, his). [The possessive pronoun his should be used to indicate possession of the jacket.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 6: Using Pronouns Correctly: Case Forms of Pronouns

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Personal Pronouns: Nominative and Possessive Case

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Personal Pronouns: Objective Case

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Special Problems in Pronoun Usage

    LearnPractice