Pronouns & Expletives Jennifer Bennett Sanderson High School Raleigh, NC WCPSS

Writing Vigorous writing is concise! Style guidelines ensure vigorous, concise writing: –Use third person pronouns (avoid first person references--certain exceptions apply) NO! I think that birds of prey represent Macbeth. YES! Birds of prey represent Macbeth. –Use specific, active verbs (avoid expletives) –Use active voice constructions

Expletives Definition: filler words; take up unnecessary space Formula: There or It followed by a form of the verb to be (be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being) –Ex. There are, there were, there was, there will be, there has been, etc. –Ex. It is, it was, it will be, it has been, etc. Often appear at the beginnings of sentences- Watch out!

Revising Expletives Find the real subject and place at the beginning of the clause. Rid the sentence of its “to be” verb (as the main verb) –shows only existence –covers everything and says nothing Replace to be verb with a verb that says specifically what you need it to say: Use POWER VERBS! Be concise!

Expletive Revision There was thunder in the distance. To Revise— –Find the true subject of the sentence: thunder –Make its verb specific. –The thunder _________________. rumbled, roared, ended, rattled, whispered, clashed, banged, rolled, erupted, etc. * “There was” covers all of the above but says none of them specifically!*

Voice Definition: the relationship between the subject and verb in a sentence. Active Voice: when the subject performs the action of the verb –Ex. John drove the car. –Ex. John is driving the car.