This months issue of my free e-newsletter, Better Writing at Work, focuses on pronoun problems that come up in business writing classes. It includes the test below. Take the test, and then check your answers.

Note: In case you have already taken the test in Better Writing at Work, I have included three bonus questions.

In each sentence, choose the pronoun that is correct according to the rules of grammar.

1. After the concert please give the cash drawer to Lizzie or I / me / myself.
2. Erika and I / me / myself both made reservations at the French restaurant.
3. I hope Richard will give Eva and I / me / myself a ride to the airport.
4. The proposal was prepared by Product Development, with some input from I / me / myself.
5. Who / Whom have you told about the plant closure?
6. Nadine will speak to whoever / whomever asks about Dales termination.
7. Whoever / Whomever Greg hires, I promise to support the individual 100 percent.
8. Suzan and I / me / myself are leading the project together.
9. Who / Whom wrote this excellent summary?
10. Jessica will let me know her choice, whoever / whomever it is.

Bonus Questions

A. Whoever/ Whomever is responsible for the budgetshould be told about this expenditure. B. I wrote to the woman whos / whose name appeared at the bottom of the article. C. Brent and she / her planned the entire event.

Here are the correct answers according to the rules:

1. me 2. I 3. me 4. me 5. Whom 6. whoever

7. Whomever 8. I 9. Who 10. whoever

A. Whoever B. whose C. she

For explanations of the rules covering Items 1 to 10, read “Things You Must Know About Pronouns” in the newsletter. Here are brief explanations for A, B, and C:

A. Whoever is correct because “is responsible” needs a subject. Whoever is a subject pronoun.

B. Whose is correct as a possessive form;whos is the contraction of “who is.”

C. She is correct as a subject pronoun: “She planned the entire event.”

Which pronoun puzzles stump you in your business writing?

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