Download Grammar Notes - Mrs. Freeman - English II

Grammar Notes
Chapter 8: Using Pronouns
(Part 2)
English II
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
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• A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number,
gender, and person.
• An antecedent is the word – a noun or another pronoun –
that a pronoun replaces or refers to.
Agreement in Number
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• Most of the time a plural antecedent takes a plural pronoun and a singular
antecedent takes a singular pronoun.
• Three Trouble Spots:
1. Collective Nouns:
Use a singular pronoun to refer to a collective noun whose
parts act as a single unit. Use a plural pronoun to refer to a
collective noun whose parts act individually.
Examples: The orchestra will give its final performance tonight.
The orchestra have tuned up their instruments.
Agreement in Number, Cont.
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2. Joined by and:
A plural pronoun is used to refer to nouns or pronouns joined
by and.
Example: Marla and Denise played their trumpets together.
3. Joined by or or nor:
A pronoun that refers to nouns or pronouns joined by or or
nor should agree with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
Example:
Neither the conductor nor the musicians have taken their
places on stage.
Agreement in Gender
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• The gender of a pronoun must be the same as the gender
of its antecedent.
• When the antecedent of a singular pronoun could be either
feminine or masculine, you can use the phrase his or her.
Example: Each musician played his or her solo.
• If using his or her sounds awkward, try making both the
pronoun and its antecedent plural.
Example: All the musicians played their solos.
Agreement in Person
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• The person of a pronoun must patch the person of its
antecedent.
their
Example: All students should bring your favorite CD to class.
• The pronouns one, everyone, and everybody are third person
and singular. They are referred to by he, him, his, she, her, and
hers.
Example: Everyone has his or her favorite recordings.
Indefinite Pronouns as Antecedents
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• An indefinite pronoun may be the antecedent of a personal
pronoun.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
• Use a singular personal pronoun to refer to a singular indefinite
pronoun.
• The singular indefinite pronouns are: another, anybody, anyone,
anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, much,
neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone,
something
Examples:
Each of the instruments has its own special sound.
Everyone brought his or her clarinet.
Indefinite Pronouns, Cont.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
• Use a plural pronoun to refer to a plural indefinite pronoun.
• The plural indefinite pronouns are: both, few, many, several
Examples: Both of the pianists played their own compositions.
Few of us brought our sheet music.
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Indefinite Pronouns, Cont.
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Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns
• Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural. They are: all,
any, more, most, none, some
• If the indefinite pronoun refers to a portion of a whole, use a
singular personal pronoun.
Example:
Some of the music has lost its appeal.
• If the indefinite pronoun refers to members of a group, use a
plural personal pronoun.
Example:
Some of the musicians play their instruments.