The CEO’s decision to quit was as shocking to the Board as it was to _______.
me
Pronoun Usage in Comparative Sentences
The question asks us to complete a sentence that uses a comparative structure: "The CEO’s decision to quit was as shocking to the Board as it was to _______." We need to choose the correct pronoun to fill the blank. This type of sentence often tests our understanding of pronoun cases.
Understanding Pronoun Cases
In English grammar, pronouns change their form depending on their function in a sentence. This is known as pronoun case. There are three main cases:
- Subjective Case: Used when the pronoun is the subject of a verb (performing the action). Examples: I, he, she, we, they.
- Objective Case: Used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition (receiving the action or following a preposition). Examples: me, him, her, us, them.
- Possessive Case: Used to show ownership. Examples: my, mine, his, hers, ours, theirs.
Consider the following table for common personal pronouns:
| Pronoun Case | Singular Pronouns | Plural Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective | I, you, he, she, it | we, you, they |
| Objective | me, you, him, her, it | us, you, them |
| Possessive (adjective) | my, your, his, her, its | our, your, their |
| Possessive (pronoun) | mine, yours, his, hers, its | ours, yours, theirs |
Analyzing Sentence Structure and Pronoun Function
Let's look closely at the part of the sentence where the blank is: "as it was to _______."
The word "to" is a preposition. A fundamental rule in English grammar is that pronouns that follow prepositions must be in the objective case. The preposition "to" here indicates the recipient of the shocking news, making the pronoun an object.
Evaluating Pronoun Options
Let's examine each given option:
- Option 1: I
"I" is a pronoun in the subjective case. It is used when the pronoun is the subject of a verb, for example, "I went to the store." In our sentence, "I" cannot follow the preposition "to" because "to" requires an objective pronoun.
- Option 2: me
"Me" is a pronoun in the objective case. It is used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. For example, "Give the book to me." In our sentence, "to" is a preposition, and "me" correctly serves as its object, fitting the grammatical requirement.
- Option 3: my
"My" is a possessive adjective. It is used to show ownership and always comes before a noun (e.g., "my car," "my decision"). It cannot stand alone as the object of a preposition in this context.
- Option 4: myself
"Myself" is a reflexive or intensive pronoun. It is used when the subject and object are the same person (e.g., "I hurt myself") or for emphasis (e.g., "I did it myself"). Neither of these uses applies in our sentence, as the pronoun here is simply receiving the action indicated by the preposition.
Correct Pronoun Choice
Based on the analysis, the pronoun needed after the preposition "to" must be in the objective case. Among the given options, "me" is the only pronoun in the objective case that fits the context. Therefore, the complete and grammatically correct sentence is: "The CEO’s decision to quit was as shocking to the Board as it was to me."
Important Questions from Verbal Analogies
Fuse : Fusion ∷ Use: _____
Daytime temperatures in Delhi can ______ 40°C.
The growth rate of ABC Motors in 2017 was the same _______ XYZ Motors in 2016.
Five friends P, Q, R, S and T went camping. At night, they had to sleep in a row inside the tent. P, Q and T refused to sleep next to R since he snored loudly. P and S wanted to avoid
Q as he usually hugged people in sleep.
Assuming everyone was satisfied with the sleeping arrangements, what is the order in which they slept?
Select the word that fits the analogy:
Partial : Impartial :: Popular :
