<p>I'm confused about why the sentence is wrong. I am really good at identifying incorrect pronoun case, but the error here is ambivalent.</p>
<p>Sentence: If I were (he, him), I'd practice for a long time before the next performance.</p>
<p>Who can explain the right answer to me?</p>
<p>My ear says it’s him, but since there is a linking verb, it may be he. However, since it is the subjunctive tense, I think it would be him.</p>
<p>The answers key says he… I also thought it was him since it is the object of the verb. strange O.o</p>
<p>The rules of grammar say that it should be “If I were he” instead of “If I were him” since “were” (to be) is a linking verb. Objects of linking verbs are basically subjects. The distinction between a linking verb and an action verb (the type of verb that you are familiar with) can be seen in the distinction between the constructions I turned green and I ate quickly, where the adverb quickly is required for the action verb eat, but only adjectives like green work with linking verbs like turn. Adjectives don’t work with action verbs, since adjectives can’t modify verbs that denote action, but only adjectives work with linking verbs since linking verbs connect words to subjects that describe the subjects. In the case of I turned green, “green” tells you what “I” is (or turned into). In the case of I am he, “he” tells you who “I” is, so the object is parallel to the subject in form (both look like subjects).</p>
<p>Of course this is only in accordance with the rules of standard/traditional grammar. In informal, casual conversations, “I am him” and “Who’s at the door? It’s me” are much more common and normal-sounding than “I am he” and “Who’s at the door? It’s I.”</p>
<p>The good thing is that the SAT doesn’t test the distinction between “It is I” and “It is me” or anything that involves a conflict between traditional “correct” grammar and convention, at least generally</p>
<p>Thank you! I forgot all about linking verbs, and am glad to find out I don’t really have to worry about them :)</p>