Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Unit 17

2 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Generic Pronouns Generic Pronouns Singular Personal Pronouns Singular Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns Before Verbs Ending in - ing Personal Pronouns Before Verbs Ending in - ing Relative Pronouns Who and Whom Relative Pronouns Who and Whom

3 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Generic Pronouns In order not to discriminate when referring to groups, avoid limiting the pronoun to any one gender. You do this by altering the sentence or by using both the masculine and feminine pronouns (he or she, him or her). Each person waiting in line had a number assigned to him or her. Each person waiting in line had a number assigned to him or her. All students opened their booklets as the test began. All students opened their booklets as the test began.

4 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Tryout Sentences 1. Every agent must send (his, his or her) monthly tally sheet to the main office. 2. Each member of the organization paid (his, his or her) dues on time. 3. If wronged, any citizen can take (his, his or her) case to the courts. 4. The average person will have no problem when (he, he or she) goes to the polls. 5. When a taxpayer has a question, (he, he or she) may call the IRS.

5 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Singular Personal Pronouns These words are followed by singular pronouns: anotherevery no one anybodyeverybodynothing anyoneeveryoneone anythingeverythingsomebody eachneithersomeone eithernobodysomething

6 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Singular Personal Pronouns (cont) Anyone, everyone, and someone are spelled as two words when followed by a phrase beginning with of. Every soldier is ready to defend his or her country. Every soldier is ready to defend his or her country. Every woman in the military is ready to defend her country. Every woman in the military is ready to defend her country. Ask any one of the men for his opinion. Ask any one of the men for his opinion.

7 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Tryout Sentences 1. Each senator will visit (his or her, their) constituents during the recess. 2. (Everyone, Every one) of the employees indicated (his or her, their) agreement to participate in the plan. 3. Please ask (anyone, any one) of the ushers to guide you with (his or her, their) flashlight. 4. No one in my family returned (his or her, their) gifts after Christmas. 5. I am sure that any one of the guests knows (his or her, their) way here.

8 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Personal Pronouns before Verbs Ending in - ing Personal pronouns that precede verbs ending in -ing are expressed in the possessive form: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. Personal pronouns that precede verbs ending in -ing are expressed in the possessive form: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. Your arriving late every day is cause for dismissal. Your arriving late every day is cause for dismissal. The doctor warned Esteban about his smoking. The doctor warned Esteban about his smoking.

9 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Tryout Sentences 1. The coach forbade (us, our) eating before the game. 2. (Me, My) going depends solely on the weather. 3. I am annoyed about (you, your) gossiping behind my back. 4. The instructor would accept no excuse for (their, them) missing the test. 5. Geraldo’s supervisor objected to (his, him) being absent so often.

10 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Relative Pronouns Who and Whom Who and whom are relative pronouns that may be either singular or plural in meaning. When deciding between who and whom, mentally turn the sentence around and substitute a personal pronoun for who and whom. Who is at the door? Who is at the door? (I am at the door.) (I am at the door.) Whom did Augusta appoint for the job? Whom did Augusta appoint for the job? (She appointed him for the job.) (She appointed him for the job.)

11 of 11 Unit 17 Troublesome Pronouns (Concluded) Tryout Sentences 1. Tell me to (who, whom) the package is to be sent. 2. After careful study the detective has discovered (who, whom) is guilty of the crime. 3. (Who, Whom) is the person in charge? 4. List the names of four people (who, whom) I should contact for interviews. 5. The clerk cannot tell me (who, whom) is to receive the package.