Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pronouns: What Are Pronouns and Antecedents?
Pronouns: What Are Pronouns and Antecedents?
Pronouns: What Are Pronouns and Antecedents?
23
Pronouns
Learning Goals
Getting There
2 Determine
3 Ensure
4 Ensure
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns or other pronouns. Antecedents
are the nouns (persons, places, things, ideas) the pronouns stand for.
Antecedent
Pronoun
Pronoun
Olivia hopes to finish her paper today. She is working on her final draft.
These words can be used as pronouns:
486
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 486
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
all
another
any
anybody
anyone
anything
both
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
few
he
her
hers
herself
him
himself
his
I
it
its
itself
little
many
me
mine
more
most
much
myself
neither
nobody
none
no one
nothing
one
other
others
ours
ourselves
several
she
some
somebody
someone
something
that
theirs
them
themselves
these
they
this
those
us
we
what
whatever
which
whichever
who
whoever
whom
whomever
whose
you
yours
yourself
yourselves
487
Heads Up!
Some of these also
function as other
parts of speech.
Types of Pronouns
Pronouns are divided into six categories:
demonstrative
relative
interrogative
personal
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns point out (demonstrate) a definite person, place, or thing.
Learning Goal
2 Determine the
correct pronoun
to use, according
to its antecedent
Heads Up!
Some pronouns can
be used in more
than one category.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 487
8/24/12 3:48 PM
488
Chapter 23Pronouns
Incorrect
Correct
Incorrect
Correct
Techno Tip
For an online quiz
on demonstrative
pronouns, search the
Internet for this site:
Demonstrative
Pronoun Quiz
TICKET
to WRITE
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns connect (relate) a subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence.
whowhomthatwhichwhoeverwhomeverwhichever
Relative pronoun
Correct
Who is my cousin is a subordinate clause (it has a subject and verb but cannot
stand alone as a sentence). The pronoun who relates the clause back to man.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 488
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
489
The Problem
THE FIX #1
Substitute he or him
Isolate the clause who or whom is in. Rearrange the words to form a declarative
sentence (a sentence that states a fact). Then substitute he or him for who or whom.
If your ear tells you that he is correct, use who; if your ear tells you that him is correct, use whom.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 489
Heads Up!
Use this mnemonic:
he = who
hiM = whoM
8/24/12 3:48 PM
490
Chapter 23Pronouns
Raul asked (who, whom) he would be paired with for the presentation.
and isolate the clause.
Substitute he and him and let your ear determine which sounds correct.
Directions: Read the following sentences and underline the correct relative pronoun in each.
1. Professor Randall, who/whom I respect, is speaking at an assembly in
Strawn Auditorium.
2. My roommate, who/whom is from Haiti, will not go home for Thanksgiving.
3. The woman who/whom sits beside me in class has three children.
4. The womans children, who/whom she speaks of often, are proud that
shes in college.
5. Im conducting a survey with Heather, who/whom I just met.
6. The student who/whom is in line has already called in an order.
7. Ive often wondered who/whom was the architect for the football field.
8. For this assignment, we can pair with whoever/whomever we want.
9. Chef John Abbott, who/whom is an adjunct professor here, recently
appeared on television.
10. Our colleges Quick Start program provides college courses for high
school students who/whom want to begin classes early.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 490
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
491
Interrogative Pronouns
In questions, interrogative pronouns take the place of unnamed nouns.
Who What
Whom Which
These
refer
Whose Whatever
only to
Whoever Whichever
people
Whomever Whatsoever
Whosoever Whosoever
Whomsoever
These refer
to people,
places, or
things
Whosoever and
whomsoever are
archaic words not
used often today.
THE FIX #1
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 491
8/24/12 3:48 PM
492
Chapter 23Pronouns
Substitute he or him
Heads Up!
Use this mnemonic:
he = who
hiM = whoM
Isolate the clause who or whom is in. Rearrange the wording to create a declarative
sentence (a sentence that states a fact) rather than a question. Then substitute he or
him for who or whom. If your ear tells you that he is correct, use who; if your ear tells
you that him is correct, use whom.
Techno Tip
For an online quiz
on who and whom,
search the Internet
for this site:
Grammar: Quiz on
Forms of Who
For an online quiz
on interrogative
pronouns, search the
Internet for this site:
Interrogative
Pronoun Quiz
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 492
In the sentence
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
TICKET
to WRITE
493
TICKET
to WRITE
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to specific persons, places, or things. They change their
form depending on person, number, case, or gender.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 493
8/24/12 3:48 PM
494
Chapter 23Pronouns
1. Person refers to point of view, the relationship between a writer and a reader.
First person refers to the person writing.
Second person refers to the person written to.
Third person refers to a person or thing written about.
2. Number refers to singular and plural words.
Techno Tip
To review singular
and plural personal
pronouns, search the
Internet for these
videos:
Personal Pronouns
Singular Subject &
Object Form
Personal Pronouns
Plural Subject Form
The writer
The writers
4. Gender refers to whether the pronoun stands for a male or female person or a
neutral object.
Male:
Female:
Neutral:
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 494
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
495
Heads Up!
Remember that its
means it is; its means
belonging to it.
THE FIX
TICKET
to WRITE
Directions: Read the following sentences and underline the correct possessive pronoun in each.
1. The police officer asked if the car parked on the grass was (theirs,
theirs).
2. I study in the library because (its, its) computers have the best
programs.
3. Julio and (his, his) family sent a card when I was sick.
4. This billfold is (yours, yours), isnt it?
5. The moon lost (its, its) glow after midnight.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 495
8/24/12 3:48 PM
496
Chapter 23Pronouns
THE PROBLEM
Gustavo and (I, me) cant wait for the game to start.
Rosa and (she, her) are having car troubles.
THE FIX
Change the verb; say only one of the pronouns and the verb
Change the verb to a singular form; then say the verb and only one of the pronouns.
Your ear will tell you if the pronoun is correct. In the examples, you would never
write
Incorrect
Incorrect
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 496
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
TICKET
to WRITE
497
THE PROBLEM
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 497
8/29/12 10:14 AM
498
Chapter 23Pronouns
Techno Tip
For an online quiz on
personal pronouns,
search the Internet
for this site:
Personal Pronouns
Quiz
Correct
Correct
Directions: Read the following sentences and underline the correct object
in each.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 498
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
499
THE PROBLEM
THE FIX
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 499
8/24/12 3:48 PM
500
Chapter 23Pronouns
These words are nonstandard and should not be used in academic or other formal
writing:
These words are
considered colloquial. Although they
are sometimes heard
in speech, they
should not appear
in academic or other
formal writing.
hisselftheyselftheyselvestheirselftheirselves
THE FIX
Techno Tip
For more on reflexive and intensive
pronouns, search the
Internet for this video:
Reflexive and
Intensive Pronouns
To find online quizzes
on reflexive and intensive pronouns, search
the Internet for these
sites:
Reflexive and
Intensive Pronoun
Quizzes
Directions: Read the following sentences, identify the error(s) in each, and
then write the corrected version on the line below.
1. Shawn helped hisself to the candy on the desk.
Shawn helped himself to the candy on the desk.
2. Claudia was surprised herself with how hard the test was.
Claudia herself was surprised with how hard the test was.
3. Papers were handed out by herself.
Papers were handed out by her.
4. Those toddlers cant stop theirselves after they start giggling.
Those toddlers cant stop themselves after they start giggling.
5. Austin knew himself hed get a call from the dean.
Austin himself knew hed get a call from the dean.
6. All the class members have introduced theyselves to each other.
All the class members have introduced themselves to each other.
7. Leave your paper with either Tori or myself and well turn it in.
Leave your paper with either Tori or me and well turn it in.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 500
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
501
8. We ourself are proud of the money the club raised to support underprivileged children.
We ourselves are proud of the money the club raised to support
underprivileged children.
9. If Henry and Kaylee want copies of my notes, they can help theirself to
them.
If Henry and Kaylee want copies of my notes, they can help
themselves to them.
10. How can class go on without Bryce or myself?
How can class go on without Bryce or me?
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to nouns that are not identified.
all
another
any
anybody
anyone
THE PROBLEM
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 501
8/24/12 3:48 PM
502
Chapter 23Pronouns
These indefinite pronouns may look plural, but each is singular and takes a singular
pronoun and a singular verb.
anybody each everybody everything nobody somebody
anyone either everyone neither one
someone
Some instructors
classify my, our, your,
his, her, their, and
its as possessive
adjectives.
Correct
TICKET
to WRITE
Directions: Read the following sentences and underline the correct indefinite pronoun in each.
THE PROBLEM
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 502
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Types of Pronouns
503
THE FIX
Heads Up!
Use the mnemonic
A MANS to remember these:
All
Most
Any
None
Some
If one of the indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, or some is followed by a prepositional phrase, look at the object of the preposition. If that object is singular, use
a singular verb; if the object is plural, use a plural verb.
In both of these sentences, the indefinite pronoun none is the subject:
Money is singular, so the verb is singular.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 503
8/24/12 3:48 PM
504
Chapter 23Pronouns
Unclear antecedents
To avoid confusion, be sure a pronoun has a clear antecedent.
Every pronoun
necessarily has an
antecedent. Which
person or thing in
the sentence that
antecedent is must
be immediately clear
to the reader.
Jacques Barzun
Incorrect
Allison hoped Kelsey would join her study group because she was shy.
AllisonKelseyWho is she?
The meaning is unclear; the reader doesnt know if Allison or Kelsey is the person
who is shy.
Incorrect
Kyle took the doors off the jambs and painted them.
doorsjambs What is them?
The meaning is unclear because the reader doesnt know if Kyle painted the jambs
or the doors.
Incorrect
The meaning is unclear because the reader doesnt know who they is; the pronoun
has no antecedent.
THE FIX
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 504
8/24/12 3:48 PM
505
Rewording the sentence lets the reader know which meaning was intended:
Correct
or
Allison hoped Kelsey would join her study group because Allison was shy.
Now the reader understands who was shy.
Correct
Allison hoped Kelsey would join her study group because Kelsey was shy.
Correct
Kyle painted the jambs after taking the doors off them.
or
Correct
Kyle painted the doors after taking them off the jambs.
Correct
Three people in English 085 said class will be in the library today.
TICKET
to WRITE
Directions: Read the sentences below and rewrite them so they are no
longer unclear. Answers will vary.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 505
8/24/12 3:48 PM
506
Chapter 23Pronouns
This example is incorrect because the pronoun them is plural and its antecedent
essay is singular.
Singular antecedentSingular pronoun
Correct
This example is correct because both the pronoun it and its antecedent essay
are singular.
THE PROBLEM #1
Some writers incorrectly use they, them, or their to refer to an antecedent that is
singular and can be either masculine or feminine.
Incorrect
THE FIX
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 506
8/24/12 3:48 PM
Use he or she, him or her, or his or her. These are called gender-neutral
constructions because they are free of reference to a specific sex.
Correct
507
Some instructors
classify his and
her as possessive
adjectives.
THE PROBLEM #2
Techno Tip
For more on
pronoun-antecedent
agreement, search
the Internet for this
video:
Directions: Read the sentences below and rewrite them to correct problems with pronoun number. Answers will vary.
1. Everyone should do their part to help the environment.
2. Each student should have their ID to get in free.
(continued)
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 507
8/24/12 3:48 PM
508
Chapter 23Pronouns
Visit MyWritingLab.com and complete the exercises and activities in the Pronouns and Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
topic areas.
LEARNING GOAL
4 Ensure pronouns
agree in number
with their
antecedents
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 508
8/29/12 10:14 AM
509
2. What is an antecedent?
Complete
this
Exercise
5. How does a writer determine when to use who and when to use whom?
Isolate the clause the pronoun is in and decide if the pronoun is used as a
subject or an object. Use who if it is a subject; use whom if it is an object.
13. What does the rule that pronouns must agree in number mean?
The rule that pronouns must agree in number means that if the antecedent
of a pronoun is singular, the pronoun must be singular; if the antecedent of
a pronoun is plural, the pronoun must be plural.
THUR_2754_Ch23_pp486-509.indd 509
8/24/12 3:48 PM