Write the correct form of pronoun in the following: He is known to my brother and ——?

Appeared in: MNS 2024

Explanation

The preposition 'to' requires an objective pronoun to follow it.
'Me' is the objective case pronoun for the first person singular.
The phrase 'my brother and me' acts as the compound object of the preposition 'to'.
A simple test is to remove the other part of the object ('my brother and'), which leaves 'He is known to me.' This sounds correct, whereas 'He is known to I' is clearly incorrect.

Option B: 'I' is a subjective pronoun, used when the pronoun is the subject of the verb.
Option C: 'They' is a subjective pronoun, used as the subject of a verb.
Option D: While 'them' is an objective pronoun, the context implies the speaker is referring to themselves, not a group of other people.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pronoun Case (Subjective vs. Objective) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Although this is a grammar question, correct grammar is essential for clear and professional communication in all settings, including healthcare.
Using the correct pronoun case avoids ambiguity and ensures written and verbal reports (e.g., patient handoffs, charting) are understood correctly by the entire care team.
What if the sentence was 'The medication was given by the nurse and ___'? The correct pronoun would be 'me' ('...given by the nurse and me'), not 'I', ensuring accurate documentation of who administered the medication.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the grammatical function of the blank in the sentence. Notice that it follows the preposition 'to'.
Recall the fundamental grammar rule: prepositions must be followed by a pronoun in the objective case.
Review the options and classify them as subjective or objective. 'I' and 'They' are subjective; 'Me' and 'Them' are objective.
Eliminate the subjective pronouns ('I', 'They') as they cannot follow a preposition.
Between the remaining objective pronouns ('Me', 'Them'), choose the one that fits the context. The sentence structure implies the speaker is including themselves, so 'me' is the logical choice.
Confirm your answer using the 'cover-up' method: temporarily remove 'my brother and' from the sentence. 'He is known to me' sounds correct, while 'He is known to I' sounds incorrect. This confirms 'me' is the right answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full MNS 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.