Simply learning the idioms will do in these circumstances. A book's contents are unique. Depending on what's inside the jar—jam or marbles—the contents can be singular or plural. Always use the correct pronoun case. The form of the personal pronouns and the pronoun who changes depending on whether they are used as subject or object. Do you believe he'll hire Jane or vice versa? He ended up being the guilty party. We big eaters prefer to walk over take a car. Who knocks? Whoever appears to be unoccupied should be given this task. The subject of the last example is whoever looks idle; the entire clause is the object of the preposition to. The case of the person introducing a subordinate clause depends on what role that person serves in that sentence. We predict that Virgil Soames will be the victor. We believe Virgil Soames will be the victor. [We predict he'll triumph.] We are hoping to elect Virgil Soames as our representative. We are hoping to elect Virgil Soames as our representative. [We intend to vote for him.] If a pronoun is the object of an understood or stated verb in a comparison, it is considered to be nominative. I cannot write as well as Sandy. (Instead, I write.) In general, avoid supplying "understood" verbs. Horace probably looks up to Jessica more than I do. Horace probably looks up to Jessica more than I do. Cake is more Polly's thing than mine. More than she loves me, Polly loves cake. The following examples are correct when using the objective case. Shirley and he were given some campground recommendations by the ranger. Written by: Name Style