The verb to be

[Jason7377]

Which is correct?

The winning high jumper was her/she
That may be she/her waiting at the bottom of the stairs
It was probably they/them swimming in the Browns' pool
Could it have been she/her on the phone?


What I have been taught is that when the verb "to be" is present then one must use the subjective pronoun


So then "the winning high jumper was she"
because she is the subjective pronoun


Can anyone confirm that I am doing this correctly?


Thanks

 

[Barb_D]

This is based on the mistaken impression that English is Latin.

Can you imagine saying "The person the cat scratched was I"?

I would use the object form of the pronouns in your sentences.

 

[sarat_106]

Which is correct?

The winning high jumper was her/she
That may be she/her waiting at the bottom of the stairs
It was probably they/them swimming in the Browns' pool
Could it have been she/her on the phone?


What I have been taught is that when the verb "to be" is present then one must use the subjective pronoun


So then "the winning high jumper was she"
because she is the subjective pronoun


Can anyone confirm that I am doing this correctly?


Thanks

It is not correct to say that the nominative should *always*
be used after "to be". Rather, it is that "to be" should link two
noun phrases/pronouns of the same case, whether this be nominative or
accusative, as:
Who do you believe the winning high jumper was?
I believe that it was she.
Whom do you believe the winner of high jump to be?
I believe the winner to be her.
However, when it comes to equating ‘this’ with ‘she’ or ‘her’ lots of people say "this is her". Some people in India say "this is she". I think, they are both acceptable

 

[TheParser]

Which is correct?

The winning high jumper was her/she
That may be she/her waiting at the bottom of the stairs
It was probably they/them swimming in the Browns' pool
Could it have been she/her on the phone?


What I have been taught is that when the verb "to be" is present then one must use the subjective pronoun


So then "the winning high jumper was she"
because she is the subjective pronoun


Can anyone confirm that I am doing this correctly?


Thanks

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Jason.

(1) Yes, you are 100% correct: "Book English" requires both sides of "to

be" to match.

(a) As Teacher Sarat said: subject + to be + subject:

IT is I.

THE TEACHER is SHE.

THE WINNERS are THEY.

(b) As Teacher Sarat said: object + to be + object:

I consider the best player (object) + to be + her (object).


I want the winners (object) + to be + us (object).

(2) As Ms. Barbara said, in everyday conversation and even in

writing, many Americans do not follow the "rule." They feel more

comfortable in using the object(ive) form.

(a) For example, a big, strong, masculine American football player would

never say: It is I. (If he did, many other boys -- and girls -- would say

unkind things about him.)

(b) Ordinary people simply do not feel comfortable using the subject(ive)


forms -- I, he, she, we, they -- because:

(i) Many (most?) of them do not know the rule.

(ii) It now sounds strange because almost no one uses those forms

nowadays.

(3) NEVERTHELESS , if you wish to speak and write "correct" English,

do not be afraid to use them:

George and Martha knock on Tony's door.

Tony: Who's there?

Martha: It's we.

***** THANK YOU *****

 

[Jason7377]

Thank you know I understand