Pronoun Problems

We and Us with NounsO The pronouns we and us are often followed

by a noun that identifies the pronoun (we earthlings, us earthlings).

O Use we when the noun is a subject or a predicate noun.

We earthlings saw the spaceship land. (We saw the spaceship land.)O Use us when the noun is an object.

The aliens showed us earthlings the inside of their ship. (They showed it to us.)

Unclear ReferenceO Be sure that each personal pronoun

refers clearly to only one person, place, or thing.

Confusing: Courtney and Ann are best friends. She is upset that she is moving.(Who is upset? Who is moving?)

Clear: Courtney and Ann are best friends. Courtney is upset that Ann is moving.

Choosing the Correct Pronoun

In each sentence, underline the correct pronoun form.

1. (We, us) fans waited outside the stadium.2. When the coach saw (we, us) players, he asked

us to carry the equipment bags.3. (We, us) customers waited in line for 15 minutes.4. The bees stung (we, us) unlucky hikers.5. The movie gave (we, us) inventors a good idea.6. Once every summer, (we, us) neighbors get

together for a block party.7. To (we, us) couch potatoes, there’s nothing like a

Saturday afternoon movie.8. When (we, us) contestants arrived, we were

asked to sign in.

Avoiding Unclear ReferenceIn each set, circle the letter of the sentence that is stated more clearly.

1. a. Bill and Noah went to the lake, and he fell in. b. Bill and Noah went to the lake, and Noah fell in.

2. a. When Mom and my sister went shopping, Mom couldn’t decide what to buy. b. When Mom and my sister went shopping, she couldn’t decide what to buy.

3. a. Before the Johnsons and Garcias met at the party, they didn’t know they had just moved in down the street. b. Before the Johnsons and the Garcias met at the party, the Garcias didn’t know the Johnsons had just moved in down the street.