Presented by: Trenida Charlton and Julie Enzenberger

 A pronoun is a word used as a substitute for a noun.  Make pronouns and antecedents agree.  It is important you understand when to use each type of pronoun agreement for this class and its assignments.

 Some pronouns are called “INDEFINITE” because the refer to non-specific persons or things.  SINGULAR: another, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something  PLURAL: both, few, many, others, several  Singular OR Plural: all, any, more, most, none, some

 In this class everyone performs at their fitness level.  Singular: In this class everyone performs at his/her fitness level.  Plural: In this class they perform at their fitness level.  When someone has been drinking, they are likely to speed.  Singular: When someone has been drinking, he/she are likely to speed.  Plural: When drivers have been drinking, they are likely to speed.

 Some nouns are called “GENERIC” because they represent a typical member of a group. Generic nouns may seem plural, they are SINGULAR.

 A medical student must study hard if they want to succeed.  A medical student must study had if he or she wants to succeed.  Medical students must study hard if they want to succeed.  A medical student must study hard to succeed.

 A collective noun is a noun that names a class or group of things.  The collective noun can function as a single unit or as a group of individuals.  The verb in the sentence can help tell you if the collective noun is functioning singularly or plurarly.

 When the group functions as a unit, the pronoun used to replace it should be singular.  The class follows it’s teacher.  The audience sang along to it’s perfomers.

 When the group functions as individuals, the pronoun agreement is plural.  The class wrote their first essays.  The audience paid their entrance fees on their way inside.

 A compound antecedent is two nouns joined by and, or, or nor.

 Compound antecedents should be treated as plural when joined by and.  Joe and Bob lost their wallets.  Kelly and Karl are redecorating their house.

 When compound antecedents are joined by or or nor, use the pronoun that agrees with the closer antecedent.  Either Joe or Bob lost his wallet.  Neither Sara nor Megan has her phone.

 Place plural antecedents last in sentences. Either a couch or two chairs were the perfect fit.  If different gender antecedents are joined by or or nor, revise the sentence so no pronoun is necessary.  Either Jack or Jill broke her bucket. Either Jack or Jill has a broken bucket.

 One of the girls gave up their seat.  One of the girls gave up her seat.

 A few of the justices were voicing their opposition.  A few of the justices were voicing his/her opposition.

 Every student must study hard if he or she wants good grades.  Every student must study hard if they want good grades

 Every runner must train vigorously if they want to excel.  Every runner must train vigorously if he or she wants to excel.

 The family ate it’s dinners.  The family ate their dinners.

 The team practiced it’s chant.  The team practiced their chant.

 Carly and Kim took their papers.  Carly and Kim took her paper.

 Either Jared or Matt forgot his book.  Either Jared or Matt forgot their book.