Pronouns A matter of agreement

Pronouns A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Pronouns may refer to the person speaking: This is a first-person pronoun. I, mine, we, our They may refer to the person spoken to. These are second-person pronouns. you, your They may refer to other people, places, or things. These are called third-person pronouns. she, him, its, they, their

Pronouns As the previous examples show, a pronoun usually refers to a person. Thus, the largest group of pronouns is made up of personal pronouns. They can be singular: I, me, mine, my, he, she, it, him, her, its Or they can be plural: we, us, our, ours, they, them, their, theirs

Pronouns Pronouns can also be classified by gender: feminine pronouns refer to females (she, her); masculine pronouns refer to males (he, his, him). Pronouns that refer to things (and often animals) are in the neuter gender.

Pronouns What are the pronouns used in place of the italicized nouns in the following sentences? A crane lifted the boulder and loaded it onto a truck. Mark said, “I was born in Michigan.” The paramedics finally arrived, and they immediately took charge.

Pronouns The antecedent of a pronoun is the noun or other pronoun for which the pronoun stands. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender. The mean girls coordinated their wardrobes. Sam loves his imaginary girlfriend. Emma put a beat-down on her swimming opponent.

Pronouns Agreement in number: rules If the antecedent of a pronoun is singular, use a singular pronoun. If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. Did either Jon or Jason think that his brilliant writing would be read generations from now?

Pronouns If the antecedents joined by or or nor are not both singular, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent nearer the verb. Neither this poem nor other poems by Ayesha use strict rhythm for their effect. Use either a singular or plural pronoun to refer to a collective noun antecedent, depending on the meaning you intend. The class will present its program of modern verse. The class will read their chosen poems aloud.

Pronouns Correct or incorrect? Everybody should write their own poem. Everybody should write your own poem. Everybody should write his or her own poem.

Pronouns Agreement in person A personal pronoun must be in the same person as its antecedent. The words one, everyone, and everybody are in the third person. They are referred to by he, his, him, she, her, or hers.

Pronouns Some pronouns do not refer to a definite person or thing. These are called indefinite pronouns. another, each, anybody, anything, anyone, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, someone

Pronouns Use singular possessive pronouns with singular indefinite pronoun antecedents. Everyone has his or her favorite poet. Neither of the poets – Kelsey or Maya – would think of herself as a writer of simple poetry. Use plural possessive pronouns with plural indefinite pronoun antecedents. Both of the poets have had their poems reprinted. Many of us wish our poems were as good as theirs.

Pronouns: Examples A person should be responsible for themselves. A person should be responsible for himself or herself. Whomever would do that is definitely not a good friend, and they obviously should not be trusted. Whomever would do that is definitely not a good friend, and he or she obviously should not be trusted.

Pronouns: examples I believe that it is easy for one to turn a blind eye to their personal shortcomings. I believe that it is easy for one to turn a blind eye to his or her personal shortcomings. This person might be so used to plagiarizing work that when they write up a report, it is mostly copied work. This person might be so used to plagiarizing work that when he or she writes up a report, it is mostly copied work.

Pronouns: examples Even if that person does get a bad grade on the test or assignment, in the long run they will feel better about themselves for not cheating. Even if people do not get a bad grade on the test or assignment, in the long run they will feel better about themselves for not cheating.

Pronouns: examples I once let a friend copy my homework because they forgot to do it. I once let a friend copy my homework because he forgot to do it. If someone doesn’t listen to their friends about cheating, they may lose their social status among friends. If someone doesn’t listen to his or her friends about cheating, he or she may lose social status among friends. Eventually, everyone is going to have to fend for themselves. Eventually, everyone is going to have for himself or herself.

Pronouns: examples High school students need more patience, or they need different friends. They need different friends because his or her stealing might be a result of his or her acquaintance peer pressuring the student. High school students need more patience, or they need different friends. They need different friends, because their stealing might be a result of their acquaintances peer pressuring them.

Parallel structure When we talk about parallel structure, we're dealing with a balancing act. The idea isn't too hard, but most people don't think about it. So what are we balancing?... pairs of words or series of words. Look at the following:

Parallel structure Pairs a and b a or b Series a, b, and c a, b, or c Think of the letters as standing for words or groups of words. Any words or groups of words that you plug in have to be the same kinds of words or word patterns. That's all there is to it! Let's see how the "formula" works:

Parallel structure Pairs: running and jumping, bothered and bewildered, open or shut, laughing or crying (all are verbs) Series: broken, bedraggled, and bone-tired (all are adjectives) an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket (all are nouns) When you write your sentences using parallel structure, your ideas come across more clearly because they're easier to read. Compare the following sentences: Non-parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a bear that was stuffed, and she had chewed up an old blanket. Parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket. See how the second sentence is smoother and more balanced? Adapted from “Big Dog’s Grammar”

Parallel structure Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket. We have three groups of words that are parallel in their construction: adjective/noun old shoe, stuffed bear, chewed-up blanket.