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PRONOUNS
Pronouns are words that stand for nouns:
he, they, it, her, etc.
Avoid problems with pronouns by making yourself aware of correct
pronoun use.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
An antecedent is a word the pronoun refers to.
A pronoun and antecedent will agree when both are singular or both are
plural.
The child finished his supper.
The children finished their supper.
ALERT:
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific persons or things.
While some indefinite pronouns may seem to have a plural meaning, they
are to be treated as singular in formal writing.
1.
Everyone in the corporation is receiving his or her bonus check today.
Everyone = indefinite pronoun, singular
(note singular verb form)
his or her (not their) = singular to refer to
everyone
Pronoun Reference
Pronouns are useful only when the antecedent is clear.
A vague or ambiguous pronoun reference will inhibit clear
communication.
1.
Tonya wrote to Ellen every day while she was at camp.
(Who was at camp?
She is unclear.)
2.
Disorganized trash removal and lack of recycling led to many complaints; this is common in many
communities.
(Does the writer mean this trash removal, this lack of recycling, or
this situation?
This is unclear.)
3.
In
Schindler's List, it presents the suffering and cruelty of the Holocaust.
REVISE:
Schlindler's List presents the suffering and cruelty of the
Holocaust.
Case
Case refers to a pronoun's function in a sentence:
subjective, objective, or possessive.
Allison drives to work.
She drives to work.
She is a subject pronoun, subject of the sentence.
Allison gave Eric and Jane a ride to work on Friday.
Allison gave them a ride to work on Friday.
Them is an objective pronoun, indirect object of the sentence.
NOTE:
possessive pronouns do NOT use apostrophes.
*For Practice:
See Exercises P through S.
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