PRONOUNS: Definition Noun -- A noun is a word that names a person, object, idea, or place. Pronoun -- A pronoun takes the place of a noun or pronoun, saving the need to write the noun twice.

PRONOUNS: Uses Pronouns can function in different ways in a sentence. Subject Example: He walks to school. Object Example: The professor wanted to meet her. Possessive Example: Her paper was the best in the class.

PRONOUN: Antecedents Antecedent - An antecedent is the word (a noun) the pronoun replaces. For example: Sam and Lee had lunch together. They were late for class. Tony’s paper was really good. It was the best in the class.

PRONOUNS: 1st rule to remember 1. Pronouns must refer clearly to one and only one antecedent. Bill called to Tom as he was leaving. Bill called to Tom as Tom was leaving.

PRONOUNS: 2nd rule to remember 2. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the word it refers to) in number and gender. A student who works hard will find their hard work rewarded. Students who work hard will find their hard work rewarded.

PRONOUNS: Tip #1 Pronouns ending with –body, -one, or – thing are always singular and so must be matched with singular pronouns: Everybody…everyone…everything Somebody…someone…something Nobody…no one… nothing Did everyone finish their test? Did everyone finish his or her test? NO!

PRONOUNS: Tip #2 Use I and You sparingly in academic writing. I think Lewis missed the point with his “culture of poverty” idea. Lewis missed the point with his “culture of poverty” idea. He suggests you tend to stay in the culture of poverty if you’re born there. He suggests people born in the culture of poverty tend to stay there.

Editing Tip When you edit, use the FIND command to locate any “you” or “I” in your document, and consider whether you should rewrite the sentence to eliminate these pronouns.