Pronouns and Antecedents

An antecedent is the word to which a pronoun refers. Jack gave away his pencil.

A pronoun should agree in gender (male or female)with its antecedent.

Anthony said he had done his homework. Morgen took her watch to the jewelry store.

A pronoun should agree with its antecedent in number.

Dogs are dangerous if they bite. Students need to turn in their papers.

When two or more antecedents are joined by or or nor, the pronoun is singular.

Mike or Cody threw down his jacket.

When two or more antecedents are joined by and, the pronoun is plural.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith made up their minds.

Mr. or Mrs. Smith made up his/her mind.

1.Mark left (their, his) book on the floor. 2.Elena or Mary will take (their, her) turn next. 3.Jenny asked Bob to help (him, her) with the decorations. 4.The Smiths and (their, his) neighbors often play cards together. Examples

6. Mark and Sarah forgot to do (his/her, their) project last night. 7. My doctor carries (her, their) notepad around. 8.They brought a tuba with (it, them) to the parade. 9.I remember that tree from when (it,they) first sprouted. Examples

10.One man had an extra ticket, so (he, she) sold it. 11.The wasp returned to (its, their) nest. 12.Mary or Jacob forgot to do (his/her, their) homework. 13.Jeremy and Samantha did not bring (his/her, their) books to class. Examples

14.Neither Matthew nor Mark took (his, their) bus home. 15.Either Julie or Monica left (their, her) instrument on the bus. Examples

Closure Today you learned what an antecedent is and how to use it correctly in a sentence.

Homework Textbook p. 186 ex. 11 (1,2,3,5,6,8,9) p ex.13 (1-7)

Indefinite Pronouns

Singular (his/her, its): anybody, each, either, everybody, neither, nothing, no one, somebody, something More on p

Indefinite Pronouns Everybody in class needs to turn in his/her homework assignment.

Indefinite Pronouns Plural (their): both, few, many, several

Indefinite Pronouns Both of the teachers were late to their school.

Indefinite Pronouns Singular or Plural All, any, most, more, none, some

Indefinite Pronouns All of the plants have lost their leaves. None of the cereal has lost its crunch.

Remember to use the list of indefinite pronouns to know which ones are singular or plural.

Anyone can turn in his or her homework assignment. Both of the girls lost their purses.

1.One of the students left (their, his or her) pencil on the floor. 2.Several students forget to do (his or her, their) homework. 3.Everyone needs to call (his, his or her) parents. 4.Neither of the boys brought (his, their) sleeping bag. Examples

5.Anyone who needs help may consult (his or her, their) script. 6.A few of the dancers brought (her, their) shoes. 7.Everyone is wearing (his or her, their) costume. 8.Neither of the actresses wore (her, their) hat. Examples

9.Everything on stage has (its, their) own place. 10.Some of the fabric is losing (its, their) stitching. 11.One of the set designers brought (her, their) paintbrush. 12.Somebody left (his or her, their) shoes on the stage. Examples

Textbook p.188 ex.14 p.190 ex. C p.240 ex. C Assignment