1. PRONOUNS English 3 CP

2. Pronouns  Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns, groups of words acting as nouns, or other pronouns. Pronouns are necessary to avoid sentences that look or sound like these: Walt Whitman went to school until Walt Whitman was eleven. Walt Whitman then worked as an office clerk, and for a time Walt Whitman taught school.

3. Pronouns  Pronouns take the place of nouns:  Bob forgot his homework.  In 1855, Walt Whitman published his collection under the title Leaves of Grass.

4. Pronouns  Pronouns take the place groups of words acting as nouns:  Running daily is one of my favorite pastimes. It really helps me cope with stress.  My brother’s refusal to maintain his cars really irks me. It is his most annoying habit.

5. Pronouns Pronouns also take the place of other pronouns:  Several are bringing their lunches.  Both decided they would practice after school.

6. Antecedents The word or words the pronoun takes the place of is an antecedent. For example: The students all opened their notebooks, and began writing.

7. Antecedents Now, the problem: what if the sentence looks like this? The students all opened his notebook, and began writing.

8. Agreement  Your task is to make sure that the pronoun and its antecedent always agree, in terms of 1. Number: singular, plural 2. Gender: male, female, neuter

9. Agreement  Usually, agreement is no problem:  Summer is a great season; it feels so comforting!  Little girls tend to want to play with their friends.

10. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement But sometimes it gets tricky. Are these words singular or plural? -Each-All -Many-Both -Everyone-Anything -Neither-Anybody

11. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Use the verb “to be” to find out if a confusing word is singular or plural. For example, Anybody is welcome. Anybody are welcome. Which is correct? “Is” works in the sentence, so “anybody” must be singular.

12. General Guidelines Singular -one -body -thing each Either / or Neither/nor Billy or Sally Plural several both few many Billy and Sally

13. A common mistake: Using plural pronouns for singular antecedents. For example: Everyone did well on their exam. “Everyone” is singular, as in Everyone is coming. The corrected sentence would be: Everyone did well on his or her exam.

14. Don’t fall into the trap! Don’t mistake a singular noun that ends in “s” for a plural noun: Which is correct? General Motors will probably recall most of their four- wheel-drive vehicles. General Motors will probably recall most of its four- wheel-drive vehicles.

15. Practice: Do they agree in number?  One of the students must give their oral report tomorrow.  Everybody was hoping to have his lottery number picked.  If anyone doesn't like the music I'm playing, they can go somewhere else.  If anybody wants to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.

16. Which is Correct?  Each member of the committee must submit (their, his) response in writing.  Neither of the girls knew that (her, their) teacher had seen the police report.  Either of the boys may take (his, their) seat in the front of the room.  Sara and Jen had to finish (their, her) homework before they could go to the movies.

17. Another common mistake: Me or I? Connecting another noun with with “Me” or “I” can be tricky. To figure it out for yourself, subtract everything except the personal pronoun. She gave the reward to Jake and I. Subtract “Jake and,” and you’re left with…

18. Another common mistake: Me or I? She gave the reward to I. Which is obviously wrong, so the correct sentence would be She gave the reward to Jake and me.

19. What about “Leave Jake and me alone!” Subtract everything but “me” from the subject, and you have… “Leave me alone,” which is perfectly acceptable.

20. Every student should turn in his book. This sentence, although it was once standard practice, unfairly excludes female students. Using gender inclusive language

21. Possible solutions include: Every student should turn in his or her book. All students should turn in their books. or Using gender inclusive language

22. You can alternate use of “his” and “her” in different sentences. Every student should turn in his book. Any student who plans on going to college should study her vocabulary. Using gender inclusive language

23. Some warnings if you use the alternating method: Don’t do it if the reference is to the same student. Any student planning to go on the field trip should turn in his permission slip and remember to pack her lunch. Using gender inclusive language

24. Some warnings if you use the alternating method: Don’t do it if the reference is to a person who can be only of one gender: Any person who believes he may be pregnant should be careful about the use of alcohol. Using gender inclusive language

25. Some warnings if you use the alternating method: Some teachers and editors do not accept this method. Using gender inclusive language

26. Some teachers and editors recommend using the plural pronoun even for singular antecedents as a way to avoid the gender issue: Any person who loses their passport will have to apply for a new one. Using gender inclusive language

27. Some teachers and editors recommend using the plural pronoun even for singular antecedents as a way to avoid the gender issue. I, however, do not. Using gender inclusive language

28.  Consider this one:  John or Mary should bring his keys.

29.  Consider this one:  John or Mary should bring his keys. To make sense, it must read John or Mary should bring his or her keys.

30.  Consider this one:   The jury is making their decisions. To make sense, it must read The jury is making its decision. or The jury are making their decisions.