Questions tagged [grammatical-case]
The distinction between subject and object forms of pronouns. For questions about upper- and lowercase, use the tag "capitalization".
216
questions
5
votes
1
answer
77
views
Personal pronouns in 18th-century Cornish English
I think in the year 1700 there were still a few adults in Cornwall whose usual mode of communication among themselves was the rapidly dying Cornish language, but only a tiny number of children could ...
- 2,458
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Is "going on a technology retreat" ambiguous for you?
I've using "being on a technology retreat" to mean that I will shun technology.
But my friend U says that this expression cannot signify retreating from technology; instead, it means ...
- 13
0
votes
1
answer
53
views
Any online tool that highlights what grammatical case each word in a sentence belongs to?
I'm absolutely confused when it comes to cases in English, and more so when I'm studying other languages (leisurely). I've tried to learn cases at least three times in my life and every time it just ...
4
votes
1
answer
188
views
Are these uses of infinitive phrases syntactic modifiers or syntactic complements, and of what?
I have two questions about the grammatical roles of the infinitive phrases in these two sentences:
He is the person to contact if you will need any advice.
There is a person to connect A PC to B PC.
...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
246
views
Possessives with gerunds
When a phrase, such as “doing something” is used used as a noun, I understand it becomes a gerund phrase. When it includes a pronoun subject, the phrase becomes a clause, in which the pronoun ...
14
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why does second person only have 'you' whereas first person has "I" and "me"?
I am learning another language and that made me think of English pronouns. In the first person there is both "I" and "me", so that I can say "I like snakes" and "...
- 251
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Should I use "who" or "whom" in "The main problem of Argentina comes from whom has taken office."? [duplicate]
Should I use who or whom in this sentence?
The main problem of Argentina comes from whom has taken office.
My logic
I know that whom is an object pronoun, that whom has taken the office is the ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
106
views
's ending in English simple present tense [duplicate]
I was wondering whether someone would be able to explain the origin of the -s form as used to bind a predicate with a third person subject (he,she,it) to express a "simple " present ...
0
votes
1
answer
155
views
"Give this work to whoever looks idle." or "Give this work to whomever looks idle." [duplicate]
I was under the impression that any object, compound or not, following a preposition such as "to" must take the objective case; therefore, "Give this work to whomever looks idle."
...
0
votes
1
answer
196
views
When to use "whom" and "who" when the direct object is also doing an action
"I just saw that guy throw a ball."
"[T]hat guy," the direct object, is now doing the action of "throw[ing]." So, could one ask, "Whom did you see throw the ball?&...
- 19
1
vote
2
answers
126
views
What case of 'I' should be used in a Participle Clause? [duplicate]
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
I being not at home, my friend left a message.
Me being not at home, my friend left a message.
My being not at home, my friend left a ...
- 237
1
vote
0
answers
28
views
are there other phrases set up like "end up ____-ing (gerund)" if so, what are they called?
I'm watching a documentary and this was said:
"We believe they did intentional things that kept Gabriel in harm's way, and ultimately ended up in him dying"
The "him dying" part ...
- 111
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
possessive case with plural
How can I use the possessive case with many objects " s' "?
2Jane and 2Mary 2room;
it is right? :
girls’ books
Jane and Maries’ rooms
the children’s toys
the workmen’s tools
Peter and Helens’...
- 109
0
votes
0
answers
462
views
Can there be two cases of pronoun in a sentence?
"She is doing her best to do the job"
The pronoun "her" is confusing me, it could be either in objective case 'cause it acts as object complement or in possessive case 'cause it ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
(negative to affirmative) "we could not but pocket the insult"
When we do negative to affirmative, we always use 'must' in the place of 'can not but'. I further know that we cannot use 'must' in the place of 'could not but' because 'could not but' is a past form. ...
1
vote
0
answers
267
views
"Are you she?"... is it proper English? [duplicate]
While receiving a phone call, the man on the other end of the call was looking for another woman. When finished asking for her, he said: "Are you she?" I've always heard "Are you her" and this was a ...
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
Question regarding grammar
I read this sentence in an article -
" black people have claim upon everything as whites " .
Is this sentence grammatically correct and what does it imply
- 47
0
votes
2
answers
82
views
there is a single person whose/whom/who being a person contains the events of his career
'And': Conjunction Reduction Redux By Barry Schein (linguist) has this passage:
How natural does whose sound?
Can you use who or whom instead?
If this were a personal pronoun, the nominative wouldn'...
- 6,371
0
votes
1
answer
660
views
When do we use Verb ING at the beginning of sentences?
Could someone please explain the grammar structure of the lyrics below?
Sitting here wide awake
Thinking about when I last saw you
Since the beginning of these lyrics starts with an "ING" ...
- 25
0
votes
3
answers
237
views
Can he be an object pronoun?
I understand that a sentence can have more than one subject, but I don't understand the grammatical role of he in the question below and which verb he is performing if he is also a subject.
Who is ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
129
views
The plurality of “a few”
I know for a fact that "few" represents plurality. I also know "a" before a word represents singularity.
But then why is "a few" always considered as plural? Is there any exception to this or just ...
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Is the sentence grammatically correct and is "get" or "have" correct?
I have completed the DP training program and I will be able to submit my documents for verification to Nautical Institute in UK for issuing the Unlimited DP License once I get the original letter.
Is ...
- 11
3
votes
1
answer
400
views
"whom...must...": is this real sentence grammatical?
I encountered this curious sentence on page 234 of the 1859
novel Natalie; or, A Gem Among the Sea-Weeds, by Emma V. Hallet
writing under the pseudonym “Ferna Vale”, marked here in bold:
In a few ...
- 593
1
vote
2
answers
46
views
How to use upper case for plural and commonly used abbreviations in thesis title? [closed]
Suppose my PhD dissertation title is "small RNAs and gene silencing with RNAi". The university manual says I have to have uppercase title in my dissertation which then becomes "SMALL RNAS AND GENE ...
- 129
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
Whoever vs. whomever where the phrase seems to serve as both indirect object of main clause and subject of subordinate clause [duplicate]
"Would you give my extra points to whoever needs them the most?" Should whoever be whomever? My "opponent" in this discussion is using grammatical terms that I find unique.
- 5,346
-1
votes
1
answer
2k
views
"I'm not as good as him." versus "I'm not as good as he is." [duplicate]
Which of these sentences is more grammatical?
"I'm not as good as him."
"I'm not as good as he is."
- 129
0
votes
4
answers
527
views
What case is B in 'Use A as a B'?
For example, what case would 'sword' be in the following sentence:
He used the broom as a sword
Is it simply accusative/dative? I don't think this is just synonymous to 'general' in 'He acted like ...
- 211
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is it correct to say: I will see you at the Christmas dinner or I will see you at Christmas dinner
I am a native English speaker and was recently checking some work before it got sent out to our company. I am unsure as to whether it is grammatically correct to say:
"I will see you at the Christmas ...
- 9
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Can object pronouns and possessive pronouns be used side by side without a preposition? [duplicate]
In a previous post on this site, the question was asked, "Can we use two pronouns side by side?" However, the example given (and thus answers offered) didn't quite suit the particular question that I ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
41
views
"Dave saying that really pissed me off" 2 subjects? [duplicate]
So I was teaching and came up with a sentence like this. I'm British and it seems like something I could imagine saying but the grammar seems weird and the students didn't like.
I'm NOT TALKING ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Who vs. whom when the he/him test is unclear
I'm not sure whether the following sentence requires who/whom:
Does anyone know who/whom I can speak with about that?
If a similar sentence began with who/whom, it would be "whom." Whom can I speak ...
- 192
1
vote
1
answer
119
views
personal pronouns in object position but subjective case
Why is this right?
Give the baton to he who is closest to you when you run by.
Does the case of the restrictive clause drive the case of the sentence object?
- 19
1
vote
0
answers
3k
views
What's the proper grammar for "My and my roommate's home..."?
What's the proper grammar for "My and my roommate's home..."
The rule I learned is it should still be grammatically correct after removing the second part. E.g. after removing "and my roommate's", "...
- 181
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Whether the word 'me'or 'myself' is correct?
Should I use me or myself in this:
Happy teachers day to all of us … and a special mention to those previously/ currently in the teaching profession….
Fattubhen, nishrin Bhen, ...
1
vote
2
answers
243
views
'my picture' - ownership vs. depiction
Consider the sentences:
Take my picture [handing over a frame]
Take my picture [handing over a camera]
(Photo vs. picture being insignificant - a more contrived example could avoid it; as is the ...
- 298
1
vote
0
answers
31
views
0
votes
1
answer
160
views
What's the difference between "the seat in front of you" and "the seat in front of yours"? [duplicate]
I came across an airline announcement and the following question arose. Which would you say it is THE correct sentence, and why?
For your comfort and safety, please stow the luggage labelled with the ...
0
votes
1
answer
461
views
Usage of We and Us, which is correct in this context?
Which sentence is correct and why?
The good thing is us being together again in all situations.
The good thing is that we are together again in all situations.
Also, if #1 is the correct one, would ...
0
votes
1
answer
211
views
Whom, who or that?
Which is the correct sentence?
Match me only with people I kissed or people that I am
following
or
Match me only with people I kissed or people who I am
following
or
Match me only with ...
- 103
2
votes
1
answer
4k
views
We three or us three
Does the subject value in the following example need to be "us" or "we". Does it follow the same principle in pluralising the subject where removing one component isolates the correct noun?
Dad and ...
- 39
0
votes
1
answer
135
views
"With my/their/our V-ing..." as supplement to main clause
Here are some news article examples containing 'with my/their etc. being...' as supplement to a main clause:
(1) Since the opposing counsel would be the U.S. Department of Justice, and with my being ...
- 6,371
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Them or their after despite? [duplicate]
What's the correct usage: embattled customers whose flats are in limbo despite them or their having made the payment? What's the logic?
- 77
3
votes
1
answer
48
views
Is there a name other than "absolute" for this kind of construction?
In some languages there are absolute constructions like the Genitive Absolute in Greek:
Καὶ ἤδη ὥρας πολλῆς γενομένης προσελθόντες αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἔλεγον ὅτι ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος καὶ ἤδη ὥρα ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
He/Him/His VS She/Her/Her
How did her become the female equivalent of both him and his instead of only being a possessive pronoun like his? Is there a reason?
For example:
She likes him and his dog.
He likes her and her dog.
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Whom should I say is calling?
Note, originally my question was "should I ask" instead of what I meant, which is "should I say". Sorry for the confusion.
If I do an internet search about:
Whom should/shall I say ...
- 12.4k
5
votes
2
answers
991
views
What is the possessive case and the objective case of "ye?"
I know very well that archaically, "thou" is the nominative case for the modern day "you" while "thee" is the accusative case and that there is no distinction between the nominative and accusative ...
- 51
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
"This looks like him" or "This looks like he"? [duplicate]
Another, easier case question:
Obviously, of the two variants
This looks like him
and
This looks like he
the first seems more naturally idiomatic. However, is it grammatically correct?
I ...
- 3,006
2
votes
3
answers
4k
views
He looked the same “as she” or “as her”? [duplicate]
"He looked the same as her" or is it "He looked the same as she"
I thought the rule was to complete the clause to figure this out such as "He looked the same as she looked" in which case the answer ...
- 375
-1
votes
2
answers
66
views
You and Ted's dinner conversation tonight
This was addressed to a family regarding what they should talk about at dinner that night. Should "you" be "your"? What is the rule?
3
votes
2
answers
215
views
Noun case and case usage for "of you" in the clause "that was kind of you"
The clause or sentence, "That was kind of you," uses what seems like a genitive case "of you", but I'm not sure what type of genitive it should be considered.
The form of the answer I'm looking for ...
- 1,067