⚡ QUICK RECALL
This entire table (Subject / Object / Possessive Adjective / Possessive Pronoun forms) is the foundation for ALL the case rules in the next tab — memorize it thoroughly before moving on.
Difference Between Subjective and Objective Case
Uses of Subjective Case
1. Sub + Verb
Me am a teacher. → Me → I → I am a teacher.
Her loves me. → Her → She → She loves me.
Him and me are going there. → Him and me → He and I → He and I are going there.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Whenever a pronoun is the SUBJECT of a verb (does the action), it must be in the subjective form (I, He, She, We, They) — never the objective form (Me, Him, Her, Us, Them), even when paired with "and".
2. [Be + Subjective Case / Objective Case]
Be = is / am / are / was / were / be / been / being
It was him who had brought you to the hospital. ✘
It was he who had brought you to the hospital. ✔
It was them who were trying to bunk the class. ✘
It was they who were trying to bunk the class. ✔
Rule: Verb "Be" (is/am/are/was/were/be/been/being) is always followed by the SUBJECTIVE case, not the objective case.
Uses of Objective Case
1. Verb + Objective case / Subjective case ✘
He took she to Disneyland. ✘ → He took her to Disneyland. ✔
She scolded you and I. ✘ → She scolded you and me. ✔
2. Preposition + Objective case / Subjective case ✘
There is no problem between he and I. ✘ → There is no problem between him and me. ✔
Everyone attended the wedding except for she. ✘ → Everyone attended the wedding except for her. ✔
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Any pronoun that comes right after a VERB or a PREPOSITION must be in the objective case (me, him, her, us, them) — a very frequently tested SSC/BPSC rule, especially with "between X and Y" and "except for X".
3. Let + Objective case / Subjective case ✘
Let I go. ✘ → Let me go. ✔
Let he and I talk. ✘ → Let him and me talk. ✔
4. Gerund + Objective case / Subjective case ✘
Gerund (N) — verb+ing used as a noun (subject position):
Smoking cigarettes is injurious to health.
Reading books is a good hobby.
Gerund (P) — verb+ing followed by a pronoun object:
Talking she wasn't fun at all. ✘ → Talking her wasn't fun at all. ✔
Visiting they is delightful. ✘ → Visiting them is delightful. ✔
"But" — Conjunction vs Preposition
But can mean:
लेकिन (but/however) → Conjunction → followed by SUBJECTIVE case
के सिवाय (except) → Preposition → followed by OBJECTIVE case
Sentence
Meaning of "but"
Correct pronoun
She is very talented but she/her lacks confidence.
लेकिन (Conjunction)
she
Everybody but she/her was happy for them.
के सिवाय (Preposition)
her
He is very stubborn but he/him is compassionate towards elders.
लेकिन (Conjunction)
he
Everyone acknowledged her in the town but he/him.
के सिवाय (Preposition)
him
⚠ EXAM TRAP
"But" is the single most tested case-confusion word — it can act as EITHER a conjunction (लेकिन, needs subjective case) OR a preposition (के सिवाय, needs objective case). Always check the meaning in context before picking the pronoun form.
Miscellaneous — Solved Examples
#
Sentence
Correction
1
You said it was a formal party. It took she and I twenty minutes to get dressed...
she and I → her and me
2
She had seen him three years back. Did she recognize he?
he → him
3
The best sailors on this lake are you and me.
you and me → You and I
4
The mural was drawn by Rakhi and I.
Rakhi and I → Rakhi and me
5
Just give we a chance before you reject the idea.
give we → give us
6
It was he, not me, who put forth the remarkable proposition.
not me → not I
7
Except for you and I, everyone brought a present to the party.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Never use a possessive PRONOUN directly before a noun (mine house, yours bag) — that's the job of the possessive ADJECTIVE. Possessive pronouns already contain the meaning of "my/your + noun" and stand completely alone.
Your house is here but mine house is there. ✘ → Your house is here but mine is there. ✔
This is my bag and where is yours bag? ✘ → This is my bag and where is yours? ✔
Solved Examples — Possessive Adjective vs Pronoun
We gave them our telephone number, and they gave us their → theirs.
Ours is a humble teacher. ✔ (Ours = Our + teacher; "Ours" acts as subject, "humble" is adjective, "teacher" is noun)
Yours is an old Phone. — No Error (Yours = Your + phone)
Jane has already eaten hers → her lunch. (needs possessive adjective before noun "lunch", not possessive pronoun)
As / Than + The Case
Comparison always takes place between two EQUAL things — unequal things (like a subject and an object) can't be compared. So the same grammatical role (subject compared to subject) must be used on both sides.
She is as smart as me. ✘ → She is as smart as I. ✔ (comparing subject "She" to subject "I")
I eat faster than him. ✘ → I eat faster than he. ✔
But when the comparison is between two OBJECTS, objective case is correct on both sides:
She likes you as much as I. ✔ (She [subject] likes you as much as I [subject] like you)
She likes you as much as me. ✔ (She likes you as much as she likes me [object])
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Both "as I" and "as me" can be correct after "as/than" depending on the IMPLIED full sentence — mentally complete the sentence with the missing verb to check which case fits: "as smart as I (am)" vs "she likes you as much as (she likes) me".
Practice: As/Than Comparisons — Find the Error
#
Sentence
Correction
1
No other employee in this office is as efficient as her.
No Error
2
I respect you more than he.
No Error
3
Though she appears taller but she is just an inch taller than me.
me → I
4
Contrary to earlier reports I found him brighter than I during our meeting.
brighter than I → brighter than me
Orders of Personal Pronouns
1. General Order → (2 + 3 + 1) 2. While confessing/accepting mistakes → (1 + 2 + 3)
I, she, and you will come to the party. ✘ → You, she, and I will come to the party. ✔ (general order 2+3+1)
He, you, and I should admit our mistake. ✘ → I, you, and he should admit our mistake. ✔ (confessing mistake → order 1+2+3)
I and you should go to the party. ✘ → You and I should go to the party. ✔ (general order 2+1)
You and I are responsible for the loss. ✘ → I and You are responsible for the loss. ✔ (accepting fault → order 1+2)
More Order Examples
Me and you will go to the Shimla. ✘ → You and I will go to the Shimla. ✔
She distributed the money between me and you. ✘ → She distributed the money between you and me. ✔
Miscellaneous Concept of Pronouns — Combining Persons
1st + 2nd + 3rd → 1st person (Plural) — We/Us/Our/Ours/Ourselves
1st + 3rd → 1st person (Plural) — We/Us/Our/Ours/Ourselves
2nd + 3rd → 2nd person (Plural) — You/Your/Your/Yourself
Examples of application:
You and I must obey your parents. ✘ → You and I must obey our parents. ✔ (2nd+1st → 1st person plural: our)
You and he have done their home work. ✘ → You and he have done your home work. ✔ (2nd+3rd → 2nd person plural: your)
He and I should complete their task themselves. ✘ → He and I should complete our task ourselves. ✔ (3rd+1st → 1st person plural: our/ourselves)
Distributive Pronouns
Each, Either, Neither
Each[प्रत्येक] — used for two OR more than two persons/things:
Each of the two students played ice hockey.
Each of the ten boys is going there.
Either — one out of two — used for ONLY two persons/things:
Either of these two persons is guilty.
There are two dresses, either is red.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
"Either" is NOT used for more than two persons or things — "any" or "any one" is used instead (never "anyone" as one word in this context).
Either of the five students is absent. ✘ → Any of the five students is absent. ✔
Neither
Neither → not the one nor the other — used for ONLY two persons or things:
Neither of the two boys is efficient for this job.
There are two shirts, neither is clean.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Just like "Either", "Neither" cannot be used for more than two — "None" is used instead.
Neither of the four participants came on time. ✘ → None of the four participants came on time. ✔
Practice: Distributive Pronouns — Find the Error
#
Sentence
Correction
1
I just asked whether any of the two major presidential candidates could bring about a better future.
any → either
2
...still none of the two machines is shipped on time.
none → neither
3
...the employer was sure that neither of the four candidates is suitable for the job.
neither → none
4
None of my arms is strong enough to lift that.
None → Neither
5
I have kept two dresses in my bed, you may take any one.
any one → either
6
...so I believe that any of the two men can do it without putting in much effort.
any → either
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Two things/persons → Either / Neither. More than two → Any / None. This "two vs many" distinction is one of the most repeated SSC/BPSC error-spotting patterns.
Object = Noun / Pronoun
Verb + Object
Preposition + Object
Verb – what/whom = Object (i.e., asking "what?" or "whom?" after the verb gives you the object)
Transitive Verb — always takes an object. The reply to "what/whom" after the verb is called the object. Object = noun/pronoun.
Intransitive Verb — which doesn't take any object.
Reflexive Pronouns (-self, -selves)
Person
Number
Subject
Object
Reflexive
1st
Singular
I
Me
Myself
Plural
We
Us
Ourselves
2nd
Singular
You
You
Yourself
Plural
You
You
Yourselves
3rd
Singular
He
Him
Himself
She
Her
Herself
It
It
Itself
Plural
They
Them
Themselves
Reflexive Pronoun — Concept
She admires [your courage]. (Sub: She, Verb: admires, Obj: your courage — noun object)
She admires herself. (Sub: She, Trans. Verb: admires, Obj: herself — reflexive pronoun object, subject and object are the same person)
Radhika hurt the cat on the playground. (Obj: the cat — noun)
Radhika hurt herself on the playground. (Trans. Verb + Prep, Obj: herself — reflexive, since Radhika hurt her own self)
Note — An object is always used after all these verbs, and if the object is not present (i.e., the subject and the receiver of the action are the same), a reflexive pronoun is used: Enjoy, Amuse, Acquit, Avail, Absent, Present, Introduce, Adapt, Pride
Emphatic pronouns are used for EMPHASIS (to stress the subject/object itself, not to replace it):
I myself saw him. (Sub: I, myself for emphasis, Verb: saw, Obj: him)
They themselves are take. (Sub: They, Verb: are, S.C(Adj): take — themselves used for emphasis)
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Emphatic pronouns look identical to reflexive pronouns (myself, himself etc.) but serve a different purpose — emphasis rather than redirecting the action back to the subject. They can usually be removed from a sentence without changing its grammatical structure.
Indefinite Pronouns
Someone, Anyone, Everyone, No one
Equivalent forms:
Someone = Somebody | Anyone = Anybody | Everyone = Everybody | No one = Nobody
Both sets take:
Third Person, Living being reference
Singular subject → Singular verb
Someone have → has stolen my purse.
Everyone want → wants to succeed in life.
Someone/Anyone/Everyone/No one (and their -body equivalents) refer to living beings — use singular pronouns He, Him, His, Himself (as the generic default) to refer back to them.
Anyone can be happy if they have → he has no expectations.
If anybody try → tries to interrupt me while I was speaking, I will argue with them → him.
Everyone should keep their → his country before themselves → himself.
Indefinite Pronouns — Non-Living Things
Something, Anything, Everything, Nothing
Third person, Non-living being reference
Singular subject → Singular verb
Singular pronouns used: It, Its, Itself
Nothing are → is permanent in this world.
Something are → is wrong with the stew.
...everything have his → has its own price, even relationships.
...it is necessary that everything remain in his → remains in its order.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Someone/Anyone/Everyone/No one → refer back with HE/HIM/HIS/HIMSELF (living being). Something/Anything/Everything/Nothing → refer back with IT/ITS/ITSELF (non-living being). Mixing these up is a very common error type.
One ... One, One's, Oneself
One can mean:
कोई एक / हर एक (someone/each one) — but as a subject/object/possessive/reflexive chain, "One" refers back to itself consistently
Similar in scope to Anyone/Everyone
Subject
Object
Possessive Adj
Reflexive Pronoun
One
One
One's
Oneself
Everyone should keep his promise. = One should keep his → one's promise. ✔ (once you start with "One" as subject, keep using "one's/oneself" consistently, not "his/himself")
⚠ EXAM TRAP
"One" as a subject must be followed consistently by "one's" (possessive) and "oneself" (reflexive) — switching to "his/himself" mid-sentence after starting with "One" is a very commonly tested error.
If one work hard, he is sure to succeed in life. ✘ → If one works hard, one is sure to succeed in life. ✔
One should always think of others before one thinks of himself. ✘ → ...before one thinks of oneself. ✔
One should love himself. ✘ → One should love oneself. ✔
Miscellaneous — Indefinite Pronoun Practice
#
Sentence
Correction
1
Everyone agreed to share their information...
their information → his information
2
Anyone who have worked for the company for at least six months is eligible for retirement benefits, but they have to submit the required forms.
have worked → has worked; they have → he has
3
Everything I found in books that pleased me, I retained in my memory, consciously or unconsciously, and adapted them.
adapted them → adapted it
"One must work hard..." — Solved MCQ
"One must work hard not only for himself but also for his family and friends..."
A) ...for himself but also for one's. ✘
B) ...for oneself but also for his. ✘
C) ...for oneself but also for one's. ✔
D) ...for himself but also for their. ✘
E) No correction required. ✘
Any one/Every one/Some one/None vs Anyone/Everyone/Someone/No one
Any one / Every one / Some one / None
Anyone / Everyone / Someone / No one
+ of → Selection (from a specific group)
+ of not typically needed → Wide Range (general)
Ex → Any one of us can solve this question.
Ex → Anyone can solve this question.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Two-word forms (any one, every one, some one, none) + "of" = picking from a defined/limited group. One-word forms (anyone, everyone, someone, no one) = referring to people in general, a wide unrestricted range.
Relative Pronouns — Overview
who, which, what, that (जो, जिसे, जिसको, जिनको, जिनका)
I met Radhika and she had been the topper of the class. = I met Radhika who had been the topper of the class.
Who / Whom / Whose
Who / Whom (Sub / Obj)
Whose (Poss. Adj)
This is the man who broke the window.
I have a friend whose cat is annoying.
I like the students who are hardworking.
She is the girl whose dog we have found.
This is the boy whom she will marry.
A subject can't come without a verb, and a verb can't come without a subject. Object = Noun/Pronoun. Verb + Object OR Preposition + Object. Verb – what/whom = Object
Who → Subject | Whom → Object
Solved Examples — Who vs Whom
I don't like people whom → who interrupt me. (people is the subject of "interrupt")
The singer who → whom we have injured proved to be safe. (singer is the object of "have injured")
The people whom → who just boarded the plane are in a rock band.
The children, who → whom we love dearly, need better education.
The response of those managers who → whom I have consulted has been very positive.
She was a celebrated actress who → whom he had known and loved, on and off, since her first appearance on the stage.
She smiled as she remembered the quiet scholar with whom she had shared a love of books. — No Error
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Test: does the relative pronoun DO the action (subject → who) or RECEIVE the action (object → whom)? Mentally rephrase as a separate sentence: "we have injured the singer" (singer = object → whom) vs "the people boarded the plane" (people = subject → who).
Which — Non-Living / Animal / Birds
Which (Sub/Obj)
Of Which (Poss. Adj)
This is the dog which we rescued.
This is the showroom of which inauguration has been delayed.
This is the bird which can fly.
The chairs of which handles are broken is yours.
This is the house which belongs to my great-grandfather.
Note — In Modern English, "whose" is also used as a possessive adjective of "which" (not just for people/animals).
Solved Example — Whose for "Which"
This is the machine whose properties I described. You should pre-order it because the company does not manufacture it much. (whose → of which / whose — both acceptable in modern usage)
Parsing examples:
This is the boy which → who works hard. (S: This, V: is, S.C: the boy, S: who, V: works)
This is the girl which → whom I shall marry. (S: This, V: is, S.C: the girl, Obj: whom, S: I, V: shall marry)
That
That refers to: H.B. (Human Beings), Non-Living, Animals, Birds — the widest-applying relative pronoun.
This is the boy who works hard. = This is the boy that works hard.
This is the house which my father built. = This is the house that my father built.
Note — "That" is ALWAYS used (instead of who/which) with: Superlative degree · The same, the few, the little · Only, none · Something, anything, everything, nothing · All = everything
Solved Examples — Mandatory "That"
This is the best article which → that I have read in recent times. (superlative degree "best")
He is the same guy who → that helped me during debates and all cultural events in college. ("the same")
I received the few gifts which → that I ordered last week for the house-warming party. ("the few")
I do nothing which → that hurts your sentiments. ("nothing")
All which → that glitters is not Gold. ("All" = everything)
What
What means "the thing which".
Note — "What" is NEVER used for any antecedent, i.e. "what" doesn't relate to any antecedent (it stands completely alone, replacing "the thing which" as a unit).
You can wear the dress what you want. ✘ (antecedent "the dress" present, so "what" can't be used)
You can wear the dress which you want. ✔
You can wear what you want. ✔ (no antecedent, "what" = "the thing which")
You can take the book what you like. ✘
You can take the book which you like. ✔
You can take what you like. ✔
⚠ EXAM TRAP
"What" can never be used right after a noun (antecedent) like "the dress what", "the lies what", "the book what" — this is one of the most frequently tested relative pronoun errors. Use "which/that" after a stated noun, or drop the noun entirely and use "what" alone.
...the lies what he says are going to blow your mind. ✘
...the lies which he says are going to blow your mind. ✔
...what he says is going to blow your mind. ✔
Reciprocal Pronoun
Each other
One another
Used for only TWO
Used for MORE THAN TWO
The students must cooperate with each other → one another on this project because they are going to get scored based on their team's performance. (more than two students → one another)
Rahul and Sahil are meeting one another → each other at the cafe. (only two people → each other)
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Each other = exactly two. One another = more than two. This distinction mirrors the Either/Neither (two) vs Any/None (more than two) pattern — a recurring theme across pronoun types.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Near
Far
Singular
This
That
Plural
These
Those
This is my dog. | These are my shoes.
That is your dog. | Those are my shoes.
Interrogative Pronouns
Who / Whom / Whose / Which / What
Who is crying here?
Whom have you invited?
Whose are these books?
Which is your house?
What is your name?
Exclamatory Pronoun
Exclamatory Pronoun — "What"
When "what" indicates surprise, it is considered to be an Exclamatory Pronoun.
What! You haven't attended the class.
What! I don't believe what she says.
What! You have already informed her.
What! When did she ask me?
A pronoun that is used as an exclamation (to express sudden emotion) is called an Exclamatory Pronoun.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Quick test for "what": Ends with "?" and asks a direct question → Interrogative. Followed by "!" and expresses surprise/shock → Exclamatory. Connects two clauses meaning "the thing which" → Relative.
Master Table — Complete Revision
Topic
Key Rule
Pronoun definition
A word used in place of a noun, to avoid repetition
Used for H.B., non-living, animals, birds; MANDATORY with superlatives, "the same/few/little", "only/none", something/anything/everything/nothing, "all"=everything
What
= "the thing which"; NEVER used with an antecedent noun present
Reciprocal pronoun
Each other = two; One another = more than two
Demonstrative pronoun
This/These (near); That/Those (far)
Interrogative pronoun
Who/Whom/Whose/Which/What — used to ask questions
Exclamatory pronoun
"What" used to express sudden surprise/emotion, followed by "!"