PRONOUNS 9/23-- Begin the “bell ringer” activity WS as soon as the second bell rings.

Important grammar term to know: antecedent John woke up late today. He missed his bus. Please pick up the candy wrapper and throw it into the garbage. Students in the class worked quietly on their homework.

Pronouns and antecedents must agree in gender, number, and person.

gender number person That girl forgot _________ lunch money. Antecedent Pronoun gender That girl forgot _________ lunch money. Jack left school early. ______ has a doctor’s appointment. Because the book needed to be repaired, _______ was placed on the counter. number The boys completed ____________ homework. Students worked on ____________ presentations. Each student from science class studied ______________ notes in study hall. Unfortunately, no one in the library has ______________ RTW binder. person (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) INCORRECT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready. CORRECT: When a person comes to class, he should have his homework ready.

2. Only one of the collie puppies has had ______ medicine today. 1. Each of the girls on the track team wore _______ school sweater to the game. 2. Only one of the collie puppies has had ______ medicine today. 3. Both of my uncles like ___________ jobs at the new plant. 4. Neither of my sisters remembered ________ bus ticket. 5. Yesterday, someone on the girls’ basketball team left ________ sneakers on the bus. 6. Before leaving, everyone must wash _____________ dishes. 7. One of the girls cannot find ___________ coat. 8. Somebody in the today’s gym class lost _________ sneakers.

The writer must use the correct case--subjective or objective.

My sister and I took him to the mall Look at the list of PERSONAL PRONOUNS in your notes. Notice the table to the right. Certain pronouns belong in the subject position, while others belong in the object position. S V C My sister and I took him to the mall Mom took my sister and me to the mall. We watched them play football. NOTE: If a pronoun ends a prepositional phrase, it must be an objective case pronoun. EX: to me with us between you and me

Special situations for determining pronoun case--- Incorrect: Me and my friend are going to the game. Correct: My friend and I are going to the game. Incorrect: Jason sat between Dad and I. Correct: Jason sat between Dad and me. Incorrect: The winner is her. Correct: The winner is she. **Subject Case is needed after a linking verb.** (am, is, are, was, were)

Avoid being vague or ambiguous when using pronouns.

FINALLY, writers need to be clear FINALLY, writers need to be clear. Incorrect use of pronouns can make the writer sound vague or ambiguous. Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific antecedent. She won the lottery jackpot and wants to give you half. (WHO IS “SHE”?????) Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged. (Is “it” the motorcycle or the tree????)