Download 1) Choice between subjective and objective case

Lecture 8 Pronouns （ II）
Objectives:
 1. The concord of pronouns (and
corresponding determiners) with their
antecedents in number , gender and
person.
 2. The choice of case forms of
pronouns
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Pronouns （ II）
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In English, personal, possessive, and reflexive
pronouns and corresponding determiners have some
special forms:
person : the first person, the second and the third
person)
Number: singular and plural form
Gender: masculine (father ,brother he ,him）;
feminine (mother, sister, she ,her）;
Neuter (desk, ship), and common gender (student,
teacher)
case : the subjective and the objective case.
Pronouns （ II）
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Possessive pronouns can be divided into
determinative genitive pronouns (his , her, its);
nominal genitive pronouns (hers , yours)
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This lecture will deal with the concord of
pronouns (and corresponding determiners) with
their antecedents in number, gender and person
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1. Pronoun concord in number
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The choice of pronoun number forms is
generally determined by the number of its
antecedent, that is , a pronoun should agree
with its antecedent in number.
1）pronoun concord with every-,some-,any-,
no- as antecedent
When the antecedent is a compound such as
everyone everybody, somebody, someone,
anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, the pronoun
and the corresponding determiner usually take
the singular form.
1）pronoun concord with every-,
some-,any-, no- as antecedent
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Usually we use its masculine gender in singular
form: he, his, him, himself. eg:
--Anyone can attend the meeting if he is interested.
--Everybody talked at the top of his /their voice.
--Everyone was clapping his/their hands.
--Nobody wants to go there, does he?
1）pronoun concord with every-,
some-,any-, no- as antecedent
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No one can be happy if he doesn’t know how
to make himself happy.
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I shall be glad to help every one of the girls in
her studies.
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I shall be glad to help each of them in his
studies.
1）pronoun concord with every-,
some-,any-, no- as antecedent
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Note that with everything, something, anything
and nothing as antecedent, the pronoun and
corresponding determiner can only take the
singular form: it.
Anything on the table can be thrown away,
can’t it?
Nothing could make me give it up , could it?
1）pronoun concord with every-,
some-,any-, no- as antecedent
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If “one” is used as subject, the corresponding
pronoun and determiner should be “one, one’s,
oneself (BE.) ; he ,his , himself” (AE)
(In one sentence, we should try not to use different
forms of “one” in order to avoid repetition)
If one doesn’t work hard , one/he can not succeed.
One should always make use of his abilities if he
wants himself to be successful in life.
2) Pronoun concord with coordinate
construction as antecedent
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When the antecedent is a coordinate construction,
the number forms of the pronoun and corresponding
determiner are generally determined by the plural or
singular meaning of the coordination;
2) Pronoun concord with coordinate
construction as antecedent
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--The owner and the captain decided to abandon
their burning ship.
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--The editor and publisher of this magazine has been
very strict with himself as well as his workers.
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--My friend and roommate has/have agreed to lend
me his/their car (s). (either is right)
3) Pronoun concord with collective noun as antecedent
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When the antecedent is a collective noun, the
choice of the number forms of the pronoun and
corresponding determiner depends on the meaning
of the pronoun in the context.
--The government is paying its attention to raising
the people’s living standard.( as a whole unit)
--The football team ____discussing __ training
program ____ all look excited.
A. Is, its… He
B. is, his.. they
C. are, their …they D. are, their…. he
4) Pronoun concord with “plural
noun/pronoun +each” as antecedent
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The choice of the number forms of the pronoun. and
corresponding determiner depends on the position of
the appositive each:
--Each boy and girl has his own toy.
--The boy and girl each have their own toys.
--They each had their problems.( “each” before the
verb, plural form)
--They had each his own problem. (after the verb,
take singular form)
4) Pronoun concord with “plural
noun/pronoun +each” as antecedent
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If A and B share the same gender, the pronoun
should be singular, if on the other hand, they are
different in gender, pronoun and determiner take
the masculine one (he, him, his)
Each man and woman has his own right.
Every girl and boy got what longed for
A. they B. she C. he D. him
Every mother and daughter in town has been
invited to the party is longing for.
A. they B. she C. he D. him
5) Coordination with “or”; “either…or”
“neither …nor” “not only…but also”
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The choice of Pronoun and corresponding
determiner which follows the principle of
proximity depends on a closely preceding noun.
Did John or Rose finish her homework?
Neither his brothers nor the boy ____taller
than ____father.
A. is, his B. are, their C. are, they D. is,
himself
2. Pronoun concord in gender
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Gender is a grammatical category. It is a set
of grammatical forms of nouns, determiners
and adjectives that tell of the distinctions of
sex. English nouns have four genders:
masculine, feminine, neuter, and common
gender.
2. Pronoun concord in gender
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Some English pronouns, however, have
grammatical contrasts between personal and nonpersonal reference and between masculine and
feminine gender. These gender distinctions are
largely restricted to the third person singular of
personal, possessive, and reflexive pronouns and
corresponding determiners. In the use of these
pronouns and determiners we must see to it that
they agree with their antecedents in gender.
2. Pronoun concord in gender
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1) Pronoun concord with male/ female noun as
antecedent
When the antecedent is a personal male/female noun,
the pronoun and corresponding determiner should be
masculine or feminine respectively. For Chinese
students it is difficult for us to decide whether they
are male or female.
Doyle prides himself upon his skill as a pianist.
(male person)
Amy will be given considerable authority if she
accepts the new position. (female person)
1) Pronoun concord with common
gender noun as antecedent
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(1) Common gender nouns, such as baby, person,
customer, doctor, speaker, teacher, students etc, can
either be male or female. When used in the singular
for generic reference, these nouns are generally
referred to as “ he, his or him”, or use plural forms
“they , their or them” instead .
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An instructor should offer his students challenging projects.
Instructors should offer their students challenging projects.
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1) Pronoun concord with common
gender noun as antecedent
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(2) Some common gender nouns such as baby, infant,
and child may be referred to either by a personal or a
nonpersonal pronoun. Generally speaking we use the
neutral “it”, if the speaker knows the baby’s sex, he/
she will have to choose between the masculine and
the feminine pronoun.
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2) Pronoun concord with neutral gender noun as
antecedent
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(1) When the antecedent is a singular noun of
neutral gender, that is , a noun denoting an
inanimate object, we generally use the neutral
pronoun or determiner (it, its, itself)
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There is a baby in the pram. It’s crying.
A baby is crying in the pram. She must be hungry.
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2) Pronoun concord with neutral gender
noun as antecedent
That book has lost its cover. I will put a new one on
it tomorrow.
 The machine works by itself.
(2) Just as a baby may be designated“it”, so a
member of a nonhuman species may be
designated “he or she”
 eg, a ship or a car may be referred to as “she or
her”.
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2) Pronoun concord with neutral
gender noun as antecedent
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(3) When the antecedent is an animal noun, it is
generally referred to as “it”. if, on the other hand , the
animal is spoken of with emotion or is personified, it
may be referred to as he or she. This is also true of the
names of celestial bodies or abstract ideas. (Referring to
“the sun” we use “he or his” and the moon “she, or her”)
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The cat leaped onto my bed and coiled herself there.
The sun was shining in all his splendid beauty.
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2) Pronoun concord with neutral
gender noun as antecedent
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(4) Names of countries may be treated either as
feminine or neutral. When used as geographical
units , they are inanimate and therefore neutral. If
used as political /economic units, the names of
countries are often feminine, and are generally
referred to as “She or her”.
--The ship struck on an iceberg, which tore a huge
hole in her side.
2) Pronoun concord with neutral
gender noun as antecedent
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--China is in east Asia. It is one of the largest countries in
the world.( as geographical units )
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--In the last decade of the 20th century, China began to
assume her role as a world power.( as political units)
3. Pronoun concord in person.
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Person is a grammatical category. It is a
grammatical form that shows the referential
meaning of pronouns. In English, personal,
possessive, and reflexive pronouns and
corresponding determiners have three special forms:
the first person, the second and the third person.
Hence , in the use of pronouns, we must see to it that
they agree with their antecedents in person.
3. Pronoun concord in person
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By pronoun concord in person, we mean two
things: first, a pronoun must agree with its
antecedent in person on the sentential level;
secondly, in a broader context, that is, in texts or
connected discourses, the speaker or writer must
keep a consistent person in the use of pronouns. A
story may be told either in the first or in the third
person. Whichever person is used, it must be
consistent from beginning to end.
Let’s look at two examples on the sentential level:
3. Pronoun concord in person
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--Tom spoke to his mother, but she didn’t hear him.
Their mother told them to return the toy, but they
said it was theirs.
Note that in one sentence, personal pronouns used as
generic reference should be consistent from the
beginning to end.
3. Pronoun concord in person
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As for generic reference. personal pronouns “we,
they, you”（informal） and “one” or
“ everybody, everyone…”(formal) can be used.
We all get into trouble sometimes.
You have to exercise if you are to keep fit.
One is never too old to learn.
3. Pronoun concord in person
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Everybody should obey the law.
---If we are making statements about people in
general, we should not shift from one person to
another, but we should be consistent in our use of
pronouns of generic person.
3. Pronoun concord in person
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In English , most personal pronouns and the
interrogative / relative pronouns who have
three case forms: the subjective case, objective
case and genitive case. The genitive case falls
into two categories: the determinative genitive
and the nominal genitive. The following
concerns the choice of case forms of pronouns
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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Generally speaking, when a personal pronoun is
used as the subject of a sentence, it takes the
subjective case; when used as the object, the
objective case; when used to show possession, the
genitive case. But things are by no means all that
simple , there are exceptions to this general rule.
With regard to the choice of pronoun case forms, the
following points are to be noted.
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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(1) In comparative clauses,(…than/ as…)
The choice between subjective and objective case
follows the general rule. That is, in formal style
when the verb is an intransitive one, we use the
subjective case of the pronoun; when the verb is a
transitive one, we use its objective case, when the
pron. after “as /than” is used as subject , we use its
subjective case, otherwise objective case.
I am taller than he( is)
You are as tall as I (am)
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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--He broke the window rather than she/her
--I trust you as much as her/ she.(…as I trust her)
（ (…as she trust you)
Compare: A: He likes Mary better than I
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B: He likes Mary better than me.
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# When such a pronoun has its own apposition, we
usu. use its objective case:
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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-- He is clever than us all.
--She is taller than them both.
(2) In a SVC construction where the subject
complement is a personal pronoun, the objective is
much more natural than the subjective case, that is,
the informal style is more useful.
--Who’s knowing at the door?
---- It’s me.
---The winners are them.
So it is with the following constructions:
think…to be; imagine…to be ;suppose… to be
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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--They imagine the new manager to be me.
--People supposed the best player to be her.
(3) In a cleft-sentence (it is/ was…that
/who… )where the focal element is a personal
pronoun, the subjective case is much more common
than the objective case though it is permissible to
use the objective case in informal style.
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1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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--It is he who did it.
--It was she/her who solved the problem.
But if the focal element is used as object in that- or
who-clause, we use the objective form of the
pronoun.
It is her that we are talking about
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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(4) when the subject of a sentence is the construction
of “everybody/nobody +but/except + personal
pronoun”,
usually the pronoun should occur in the objective
case , because it is after the preposition. but usage
requires that the subjective case is used when the
whole construction is used as the subject or
objective case when the whole construction is used
as object.
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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# If the prepositional phrase is shifted to the end of
the sentence, the pronoun usually occurs in the
objective case even though it remains part of the
subject.
--Nobody but she can solve our problems.
--Nobody can solve our problems but her.
---I interviewed everybody but him
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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(5) In a who-question , the case form of the
interrogative pronoun is determined by its function
in the sentence, In formal style, the pronoun should
be in the subjective when it functions as subject, and
in the objective case when it functions as object, but
now we usually use its subjective to replace its
objective case except it is after the preposition.
--Who /whom are you talking about?
--From who/whom did you receive the letter?
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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(6) In a relative clause introduced by who, where the
relative pronoun functions as the subject/object of
the clause and is followed by an insertion “I
believe/think” , the pronoun generally occurs in the
subjective case or objective case.
--She has an adopted child who/whom (she says)
was an orphan.
--I shall lent my book to the person whom I think I
trust.
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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(7) In a nominal clause introduced by whoever, the
choice of the case form follows the general rule. If
the personal pronoun functions as subject in the
nominal clause, we use its subjective case, otherwise
objective case. If this kind of relative pronoun acts
as the subject complement after a verb phrase
containing to be, it usu. occurs in the objective case,:
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--They always elect whoever is popular.
1) Choice between subjective and objective case
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--I trust whomever they will elect.
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--The woman (who, whom) we thought to be (she,
her) turned out to be her sister
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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As has been noted, when a personal pronoun is
used as the object of a sentence, it usually occurs
in the objective case, and, when used to denote
possession, in the genitive case. Apart from these,
the following points merit our attention.
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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When an –ing participle clause with a personal
pronoun as its own subject (personal pron.+-ing
form) functions as subject , object or subject
complement of the main clause, or object of
prepositional phrase , the pronoun usually occurs in
the genitive case. In informal style, however, the
pronoun may also appear in the objective case.
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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(1) as subject
Their coming to help was a great encouragement to
us .
It’s no use your telling me not to worry.
(2) as object
I appreciate your / you telling me that.
I want to avoid his/him thinking that I don’t want to
help.
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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(3) as subject complement
Our sole worry is your/you relying too much on yourself.
(4) Object of preposition
Likewise, when the above-mentioned –ing form is used
as prepositional complemention, the pronoun can occur
either in the genitive or in the objective case. the former
being more frequently used than the latter.
--I told them about your/you resigning from office.
--I am surprised at his/him making that mistake.
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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They insisted on my/me staying there for supper.
Compare:
Mary’s coming late annoyed him.
(as subject, only genitive case)
I hate Mary’s/ Mary/ her coming late.
(as object, three case forms)
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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(5) When “ personal pronoun with the generic
reference or an inanimate object + -ing form” is
used as object in a sentence, we use its common
gender.
--I don’t like young people / them smoking.
--She hate people losing their tempers.
--He was awaked by someone knocking on the
window.
--Is there any hope of our team winning the game?
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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(6) In an SVOC construction, where the object is
realized by a personal pronoun, and the object
complement by an –ing form , the pronoun can only
take the objective case.
in SVOC construction:
see/hear/feel / notice /find sb doing
get/ have/set sb/sth.doing
I saw him falling down into the river.
They caught him cheating on the exam.
2) Choice between objective and genitive case
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(7) when an infinitive clause with a personal
pronoun as its own subject functions as the object of
the main clause, the pronoun can only occur in the
objective case.
personal pron.+to infinitive:
teach/order/…sb to do
(intend/ trouble/forbid/order/ cause/enable…)
--They advised me to reconsider my decision.
--Everyone wanted me to be the leader of the
movement.