Question

64 pronouns in elliptical clauses
an elliptical clause is one in which some words are omitted but still understood

• in elliptical clauses beginning with than or as, use the form of the pronoun that you would use if the clause were fully stated
• mentally add the missing words. if they come before the pronoun, choose the subjective case

words omitted before pronoun: she called fran more than me
she called fran more than (she called) me.
if the missing words come after the pronoun, choose the subjective case
words omitted after pronoun: he enjoyed poetry more than i
he enjoyed poetry more than i (enjoyed poetry).
practice a identifying elliptical clauses
read each sentence. underline the elliptical clause
example: she worried more than i.
answer: she worried more than i

1. fred is a better dancer than i.
2. sam is as talented as she.
3. the teacher praised lee more than me.
4. ellen talked more to linda than i.
5. ms. clark is as good a teacher as he.
6. my sister disagreed with her as much as me.
7. the swimmer is as tired as i
8. all lisa’s friends like visual classes more than she.
9. the group gave the other students more help than us.
10. rick thought he was more successful than she.

practice b labeling pronouns in elliptical clauses
read each sentence. circle the pronoun in the elliptical clause. then, label the case of the pronoun—nominative or objective.
example: he dislikes the movie more than i.
answer: he dislikes the movie more than ① nominative

1. sam is as tall as he.
2. my sister plays tennis better than she.
3. maria emails her sister more than me.
4. my friends feel as pleased about the test as i.
5. you gave more help to frank than us.
6. the tennis player didn’t practice as much as she.
7. now, marta swims much faster than i.
8. brandi sends postcards more often to bruce than me.
9. they spend more time skating than we.

jim’s brother lent more books to his friend than us.
iting and speaking application
e a paragraph about a visit to a museum. use three elliptical clauses. read the paragraph to
er. have your partner identify the elliptical clauses. then, switch roles with your partner.
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64 | pronoun usage

Explanation:

Practice A: Identifying Elliptical Clauses

Elliptical clauses are the shortened parts after "than/as" where a verb phrase is implied. Underline the clause starting with the pronoun at the end of each sentence.

Circle the final pronoun in each sentence. Nominative case pronouns (I, he, she, we) act as subjects, while objective case pronouns (me, us) act as objects.

Write a museum visit paragraph with 3 elliptical clauses (shortened "than/as" phrases).

Answer:

1. Fred is a better dancer than I.
2. Sam is as talented as she.
3. The teacher praised Lee more than me.
4. Ellen talked more to Linda than I.
5. Ms. Clark is as good a teacher as he.
6. My sister disagreed with her as much as me.
7. The swimmer is as tired as I.
8. All Lisa's friends like music classes more than she.
9. The group gave the other students more help than us.
10. Rick thought he was more successful than she.

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Practice B: Labeling Pronouns in Elliptical Clauses