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SLIPS IN SYNTAX

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 21, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 21.

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“SLIPS IN SYNTAX”

Such is the title of one of the chapters in the new book by Prof. Geo. W. Rine, entitled
THE Essentials of Our Language
In this chapter are found, among many other helpful illustrations, the following:—

The Case of Nouns or Pronouns after the Verb TO BE

The noun or pronoun that follows the verb to be (as its complement), takes the same case as the noun or pronoun that precedes it (as its subject).
The examples below are illustrative:—
  1. Is it him (he) you wish to see?
  2. It might have been him (he) who did it.
  3. Do you think it was them (they)?
  4. Who is there? It is me (I)?
  5. Do you think it was her (she)?
  6. Who (whom) do you take me to be?
(Whom is the complement of the infinitive to be, and hence takes the same case as the one preceding to be. A finite verb can never have a subject in the objective case, but an infinitive MAY have.)
  1. Should any one be punished, it will not be her (she), and it will be me (I).
  2. I supposed it to be he (him).
  3. I think it was her (she) who sent it.
  4. Who (whom) did you take my uncle to be?
  5. I proved it to be they (them) who were responsible for the accident.
  6. Was it her (she) you saw?
  7. If I were him (he) I would not desist.
  8. Was it them (they) who opposed the scheme?
  9. It was either her (she) or her sister.
  10. He knew it was us (we).
  11. He knew it to be we (us).
  12. It was me (I) that gave the alarm.
  13. If you were me (I), would you attempt it?
  14. He knew that it was me (I).
  15. He knew it to be I (me).
This book contains nearly 300 pages, is bound in cloth, and sells for 75 cents post-paid.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
OAKLAND, CAL.
11 W. 20th Street — New York City 18 W. 5th Street — Kansas City, Mo.