English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
USING VERBS WITH PERSONAL PRONOUNS
It is I who ~is~ to blame (nonstandard).
It is I who am to blame (standard).
Since you would not say “I is to blame”, it is equally wrong to say “It is I who is to blame”.
It is you who who is to represent us there (nonstandard).
It is you who are to represent us there (standard).
Note that when relative pronouns such as “who” come after a noun or another pronoun, that noun or pronoun determines the verb, not the relative item.
Now, put yourself to the test
- The correction is for __ students (we, us).
- Who ate it?
It seems __ (she, her). - Kunle and __ will take responsibility for this (he, him).
- With __, you can’t be so sure (they, them).
- Who’s at the door?
It is I who __ at the door.
GAB
The answer is
1. We
2. Her
3. Him
4. Them
5. Am
1. Us
2. She
3. He
4. Them
5. Am
1. We students.
2. It seems her.
3. Kunle and he.
4. With them.
5. Am.