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MODERN BUSINESS
ENGLISH
Tamara A.Susetyo-Salim
Manjemen Informasi & Dokumentasi
FAKULTAS ILMU PENGETAHUAN BUDAYA
UNIVERSITAS INDONESIA
Personal Pronouns – Nominative
And objective Case
POSSESIVE CASE OF
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
The possessive case of a personal pronoun, like the
possessive case of a noun, indicates ownership, authorship, or a similar relationship. Unlike the possessive
forms of nouns, however, the possessive forms of
personal pronouns are always written without an
apostrophe. Note the following chart, which lists all the
singular and plural possessive forms of personal
pronouns.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Possessive Case
Person
Singular
Plural
First
Second
Third
my, mine
your, yours
his, her, hers, its
our, ours
your, yours
their, theirs
Be careful not to confuse the possessive pronoun its with
the word it's, which is a contraction of it is or it has.
• The company succeeded in reducing its costs.
(Possessive pronoun.)
• Do you think it's a wise investment? (Contraction of it is.)
• It's been a pleasure to work with you. (Contraction of it has.)
Also avoid confusing the possessive pronoun their with
they're, the contraction of they are, or with the adverb there.
• Some employers pay their employees biweekly.
(Possessive pronoun.)
• They're confident they will be successful. (Contraction of
they are.)
• What did you do while you were there.? (Adverb.)
Similarly, don't confuse the possessive pronoun your with
you're, the contraction of you are.
•
If you're a sports enthusiast, you will want to have all
the books in this new series in your library.
Remember that theirs is a possessive pronoun and there's is
a contraction of there is or there has.
•
•
•
We kept our copies, but they threw theirs away.
(Possessive pronoun.)
There's a public telephone in the lobby. (Contraction of
there is.)
There's been only one major change this week.
(Contraction of there has.)
As discussed and illustrated below, some possessive forms
of personal pronouns are used only as modifiers. Others are
used only as subjects, objects, and predicate nominatives. A
few may be used as modifiers, subjects, objects, or predicate
nominatives.
Note that a pronoun or a noun that modifies a
gerund must always be in the possessive case. A
gerund, or verbal noun, is a verb form ending in
ing (for example, calling, ordering, planning, or
writing) that functions as a noun.
• I appreciate your calling yesterday.
• Marie's writing is clear and concise.
1. Possessive Forms Used as Modifiers. The
possessive pronouns my, our, your, and their are
always used as modifiers of nouns and gerunds.
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is the balance of my account?
Our representative will be happy to assist you.
Some members commented about our arriving late.
Do you maintain a record of your expenses?
We appreciate your notifying us of the price changes.
The officials have not completed their examination of the
bank's records.
• Their finding the records in order relieved the anxiety of
many people.
Her, his, and its sometimes—not always—
function as modifiers of nouns and gerunds,
as in the following sentences.
•
•
•
•
Charlotte finished her work ahead of schedule.
Ann's friends just learned of her adopting a child.
Mr. Andrews told us his version of the story.
Martin completed his checking of the copy
yesterday.
• The bank is consolidating some of its operations.
• The baby's parents spoke about its sleeping so
much.
2. Possessive Forms Used as Subjects, Objects, and
Predicate Nominatives. The possessive pronouns mine,
ours, yours, hers, and theirs are always used as subjects,
objects, and predicate nominatives. They are never used as
modifiers.
• One of the briefcases is mine. (Mine substitutes for "my
briefcase" and functions as a predicate nominative.)
• The order was shipped to a competitor's warehouse instead of to
ours. (Ours takes the place of "our warehouse" and functions as
the object of the preposition to.)
• My proposal has been rejected, but yours is still under
consideration. (Yours substitutes for "your proposal" and
functions as the subject of the verb is.)
• I brought my copy of the agreement, but she forgot hers. (Hers
takes the place of "her copy of the agreement" and functions as
the object of the verb forgot.)
• I was asked to confirm your reservations and to cancel theirs.
(Theirs substitutes for "their reservations" and functions as the
object of the infinitive to cancel.)
As discussed in Unit 4, her is also the objective
case form of the pronoun she and may be used in
such ways as those indicated below.
• Please remind her of our meeting. (Her is the direct object of the
verb remind.)
• Did you buy a gift for her? (Her is the object of the preposition for.)
• The company offered her a much higher salary. (Her is the
indirect object of the verb offered.)
• I asked her to serve on the committee. (Her is the subject of the
infinitive to serve.)
• You may want to consult her first. (Her is the object of the infinitive
to consult.)
• I intended to send her a copy yesterday. (Her is the indirect object
of the infinitive to send.)
The pronouns his and its also may be used in ways other
than as modifiers of nouns and gerunds. Note the uses in
these sentences, for example:
• She canceled her subscription, but he renewed his. (His, meaning
"his subscription," is the direct object of the verb renewed.)
• I think Janet's office is next to his. (His, meaning "his office," is the
object of the preposition to.)
• We renewed our contract with McKay, Inc., but a competitor
canceled its. (Its, meaning "its contract," is the direct object of the
verb canceled)
• I hope to finish my work today, but I am not sure when Frank
expects to complete his. (His, meaning "his work," is the direct
object of the infinitive to complete.)
• Some metals have lost most of their value, but gold has retained
most of its. (Its, meaning "its value," is the object of the preposition
of.)
• The state plans to increase its contribution, but the federal
government intends to reduce its. (Its, meaning "its contribution,"
is the object of the infinitive to reduce.)
Spot Check 1
As you read each sentence, decide which word in die
parentheses is correct and underline it
1. She said the responsibility is (her, her's, hers).
2. The company has lowered (it's, its) prices.
3. Ms. Moore appreciated (our, ours, us, we) working overtime.
4. Jan's work is usually neater than (mine, my).
5. They have sold (their, there, they're) house, and we are thinking
of selling (our, our's, ours).
6. Patrick asked us to help (he, him, his).
7. (Your, Your's, Yours) is an excellent suggestion.
8. Were you aware of (her, her's, hers, she) being ill last week?
9. (Their's. Theirs, There's) been another change in the weather.
10. We considered other suggestions but decided to accept (her's,
hers).
11. (Mine, My) policy is not to mind other people's business—only
(mine, my).
12. We are happy to learn of (he, him, his) receiving a promotion.
13. (Their, There, They're) planning an anniversary celebration.
14. Maybe (you, your, you're) being too cautious.
15. They wish they were able to spend more time (their, there,
they're).
16. (Their, There, They're) seems to be too much work left to do.
17. The Wilsons' sons-in-law sold (his, their, there, they're) interests
in the company.
18. Every employer should treat (her, his, her or his, their)
employees fairly.
19. She and I are friends of (there's, their's, theirs),
20. (Their, There, They're) probably thinking that (your, you're)
waiting for (them, they) to make the first move.
COMPOUND PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Compound personal pronouns are formed by adding
self or selves to several of the "simple" forms of
personal pronouns presented previously. The chart
below lists all the accepted forms of compound
personal pronouns. Notice in particular the difference
between the second person singular and plural forms.
COMPOUND PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Person
Singular
Plural
First
Second
Third
my, mine
your, yours
his, her, hers, its
our, ours
your, yours
their, theirs
Like other personal pronouns, compound personal
pronouns must agree in person, number, and gender
with their antecedents. One of the usage differences,
however, is that all compound personal pronouns—
except yourself and yourselves—must have stated, not
understood, antecedents in the sentences in which they
appear. In many instances, you is the understood subject
and the understood antecedent of yourself or yourselves.
Whether you refers to one person and is or is not used
with yourself, or whether you refers to more than one
person and is or is not used with yourselves, you
requires a plural verb when it is the subject. Note the
agreement of the compound personal pronouns with
their antecedents in the following sentences.
• Maybe / should buy myself some new clothes. All of us need
to look out for ourselves.
• Don't blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. (The
antecedent is the understood subject you.)
• You have every right to be proud of yourselves.
• Brenda bought the ring for herself.
• She considers herself a dedicated employee.
• Mr. Valdez injured himself while skiing.
• How well does he conduct himself in stressful situations?
• Computerized equipment gives die factory the appearance
of operating by itself.
• Contrary to all the rumors, Richard himself is not a suspect
in the case.
Compound personal pronouns are used both as intensive
pronouns and as reflexive pronouns, as indicated in the
following discussion.
3. Intensive Pronouns. When used solely to emphasize a
noun or another pronoun that precedes it, a compound
personal pronoun functions as an intensive pronoun. As
illustrated previously and below, the compound personal
pronoun need not immediately follow its antecedent.
•
•
•
•
•
•
/ gave the message to Dr. Chung myself.
We ourselves have no objection to the reorganization.
Ms. Pierce decided to make the reservations herself.
Try to make the necessary repairs yourself.
You may own and operate businesses yourselves.
The owners themselves have said that the building needs
a new heating system.
4. Reflexive Pronouns. As a reflexive pronoun, any compound
personal pronoun may be used as either the direct or the indirect
object of a verb when the object is the same person or thing as the
subject of the verb. Note the italicized subjects and objects of the
verbs in the following sentences.
•
•
•
Lena blamed herself for the error.
Mr. Simmons gave himself a haircut.
This software will destroy itself under certain conditions.
A compound personal pronoun also may be used as the object of a
preposition or as the subject or object of an infinitive.
•
•
•
•
Make a copy for yourself. (Object of preposition.)
Nick considers himself to be an expert programmer. (Subject of
infinitive.)
Members of Congress voted to give themselves a raise. (Indirect
object of infinitive.)
She took the course to prepare herself for a better-paying job.
(Object of infinitive.)
Common Usage Errors. Avoid the common error of using a
compound personal pronoun without a stated antecedent.
• Our supervisor invited Terry and me to attend the
conference. (not: Terry and myself.)
• Raquel and / will make the necessary corrections. (not:
Raquel and myself.)
Except when you is understood to be the antecedent, as in
the following sentences, a compound personal pronoun
must always have a stated antecedent.
• Please try to repair the machine yourself.
• Prepare yourselves for exciting careers in business,
industry, and government.
Spot Check 2
In the following sentences, write the correct compound
personal pronoun in the space provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
You must endorse the check _______________Jim.
I bought _______________ a sweater.
We bought the tickets for _______________
Roland _______________ was unable to solve the problem.
Wilma considers _______________ to be very efficient.
Most people like to help _______________
The firm found _______________ in a financial bind.
She gave ________________ a good rating.
All of you should be very proud of _______________.
They ________________ were late for the meeting.
About the only person he doesn't blame is _______________.
I'm certain the window did not break _____________________.
My supervisor, Ms. Torrance, usually answers the
phone________________
Children quickly learn how to do some things
for____________________.
I have been in similar situations __________________
Study Guide 5
A. Study the following sentences carefully. Can you explain
why the italicized words, rather than the ones shown in
parentheses, are correct? If not, refer to the rules
indicated.
1. Is the final decision yours (your)2 or hers (her)2?
2. The company reported its (it's)1 earnings for the second
quarter.
3. Harry said we should not be concerned as a result of bis
(him)1 resigning.
4. Did Ms. Reed say anything about my (me)1 working
late?
5. Be sure to sign your (you're)1 name on each copy.
6. We must remember to bring ours (our's)2.
7. The bank has no record of your (you, you're)1 making a deposit
last week.
8. Theirs (Their's, There's)2 seem to be the lowest prices.
9. Do you like yours (your, you're)2 better than hers (her, hers)2?
10. Some flights were delayed, but theirs (their's, there's)2 left at
the scheduled time.
11. Your (you're)1 copy looks legible, but mine (my)2 doesn't.
12. My (me)1 wishing it would stop raining won't make it happen.
13. Neighbors complain about our (ours)1 dog, usually saying that
its (it's)1 barking disturbs their (there, they're)1 sleep.
14. For some people, gold has lost its (it's)1 luster as an
investment.
15. Many businesses extend charge privileges to their (there,
they're)1 customers.
B. If you are uncertain of the use of compound personal
pronouns in the following sentences, refer to the rules
indicated.
1. I would prefer to do the work myself.
2. He is unlikely to pat himself* on the back.
3. We gave ourselves4 the benefit of the doubt.
4. Lynn herself should be held responsible.
5. He is more certain of himself than I am.
6. Mr. Johnson considers himself to be a wise consumer.
7. Do doctors treat themselves4 when they are ill?
8. The defendants may represent themselves4 if the case goes to trial.
9. The committee itself can do nothing but recommend policies.
10. Elaine was successful in repairing the cart herself?
ASSIGNMENT : Complete the Unit 5 Worksheet on pages 39 – 40.
THE END