Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition · Lesson 35 · Part 1: Part I: The elementary course
35. Mistakes with pronouns
Goal: Your child corrects "Him and me were there," "his'n," "I and you" and "the man which."
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and a pencil (or a slate)
What's in the book
Lesson 35, "Incorrect Language," has four cautions on pronouns, each with example sentences to correct.
The lesson, step by step
Review
Ask your child to name the five interrogative pronouns.
Caution I
Read:
Do not use him, me, or her as the subject or the predicate of a sentence.
Fix aloud:
Him and me were in the boat.
It was me.
SayThe test is to try each one alone. "Me was in the boat"? No, "I was."
Caution II
Read:
Do not use improper forms of pronouns.
Fix: "Is that book your'n?" and "No; it is his'n."
Caution III
Read:
The pronoun you should precede he, she, or they; and he, she, or they should precede I or me.
Fix: "I and you will..." becomes "You and I will..."
Caution IV
The book says:
Do not use which to represent persons, or who or whom to represent animals, objects without life, or children not referred to by name.
Fix: "The man which you saw is my father."
Write corrections
Write correct versions of three sentences from each caution.
Use it today
Notice how you yourself say "me and..." or "...and I" today. Old habits are hard to change, for grown-ups too!
Tip
Caution IV reflects the book's time. Today, "who" for a pet is common and accepted. Mention it, but don't fuss over it.
Answers to the book's problems
Caution I: He and I were in the boat. It was I. The doctor and I were there. He and you (better: You and he) were tardy. It is she. You, and he, and I were boys together. Caution II: Is that book yours? No; it is his. She took my shawl, and left hers. You were not with us last night. No; we stayed at home. ...we have sold ours. Caution III: You and he are brothers. You and they attend the same school. You and I must study hard this forenoon. You and we must camp out next vacation. Caution IV: The man whom you saw is my father. I love all who speak the truth. Have they found the child which was lost? (the book's rule; today "who" is usual). Was that your dog which was killed? I saw the man who was here yesterday.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.