Extract:
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
-
A
The professor explained the chemical reaction to me.
-
B
The professor explained the chemical reaction to I.
-
C
The professor explained the chemical reaction to myself.
-
D
The professor explained the chemical reaction to mine.
Sentence “The professor explained the chemical reaction to me.” is grammatically correct because it uses the objective pronoun "me" as the object of the preposition "to."
A) The professor explained the chemical reaction to me.
"Me" is correctly used as objective case pronoun receiving the preposition "to." Prepositions require objective case pronouns as their objects—standard grammatical rule.
B) The professor explained the chemical reaction to I.
"I" is subjective case—incorrect after preposition "to." "To I" violates case rules; prepositions demand objective case pronouns.
C) The professor explained the chemical reaction to myself.
"Myself" is reflexive pronoun requiring matching antecedent "I" in same clause ("I explained to myself"). Without "I" as subject, "myself" is incorrectly used—standard grammar requires objective "me" after prepositions.
D) The professor explained the chemical reaction to mine.
"Mine" is absolute possessive pronoun used without following nouns ("That book is mine"). It cannot function as object of preposition—"to mine" creates ungrammatical construction.
Conclusion
Prepositions require objective case pronouns as their objects. Testing by isolating the prepositional phrase confirms correctness: "to me" (correct) versus "to I" (incorrect), "to myself" (reflexive misuse), or "to mine" (possessive error).