Monday, March 2 GUM 8.3 Literary Analysis and Composition

GUM 8.3 What are our lesson objectives? What will I be able to do by the end of this lesson? I will be able to: Use the correct pronoun in elliptical clauses in sentences. Use pronouns that agree with their antecedents in sentences.

Keywords and Pronunciation antecedent (an-tuh-SEE-duhnt) : a word or group of words that a pronoun replaces, or refers to comparison : a group of words that describes similarities or differences between two or more people or things elliptical clause : a subordinate clause in which words are omitted but understood to be there gender : classification according to sex: masculine, feminine, or neuter (neither) number : classification of a word as singular (one) or plural (more than one)

What are elliptical clauses? Many comparisons are elliptical; they leave words out. She liked the movie more than he. (The words more than he liked the movie complete this elliptical comparison.) Notice how a change in pronouns will completely change the meaning of the sentence. She liked the movie more than him. (The words more than she liked him complete this comparison.) While incorrect pronouns in elliptical constructions can cause misunderstandings, incorrect references between pronouns and their antecedents can be confusing to readers.

Pronouns and Antecedents Because a pronoun takes the place of a noun, a pronoun must refer to a noun that usually appears before the pronoun. This noun is the antecedent. When the pronoun and the noun do not agree, readers are confused. Pronouns and their antecedents must agree in number. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular. The girls took her dogs along. (Who is her? If girls is the antecedent, the pronoun that refers to girls should be their.) Pronouns and their antecedents must agree in gender. If the antecedent is masculine, the pronoun must be masculine. Travis or Andy will loan us his ice chest.

Let’s Practice! Write the pronoun that agrees with its antecedent in each sentence. Do not use you. 1. The boy and his little sister walked quickly through the trees on _____ way home. 2. This would be the perfect opportunity for a girl like ____. 3. What a show Mary and Carol put on with _____ marionettes! 4. Either Nancy or Rosa will be playing _____ guitar. 5. Stan and Ed are working on _____ animation of a snowball’s life.

Let’s Practice! Write the pronoun that agrees with its antecedent in each sentence. Do not use you. 6. Arthur and Enid are practicing _____ lines now. 7. Have you asked Mr. Jackson or his son to contribute _____ skills? 8. Each member of the committee must do ____ part to make the pageant a success. 9. Neither Mr. Colter nor Mrs. Farrell had ____ laptop. 10. Both boys and girls must master the obstacle course to win _____ badge.

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 1. Greg spends more time with them than with _____. A I B me

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 2. Do you think I’m as tall as _____? A he B him

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 3. Our teacher didn’t review the test with us as much as with _____. A they B them

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 4. Is Toby as old as _____? A she B her

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 5. I studied longer than _____. A they B them

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 6. The tennis tournament seemed more exciting to them than to _____. A we B us

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 7. Helmut lifts as many weights as _____. A he B him

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 8. I think Marvin is a better singer than _____. A she B her

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 9. Our cat means more to Shelby than to _____. A I B me

Let’s Practice! Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. 10. Hayes likes hot weather as much as _____. A they B them