B-1
How many times in one day do you use pronouns in a conversation with a friend, teacher, etc…?
You, for instance may use the pronoun we as you tell a friend how poorly your English class performed the midterm. There is not need to name everyone in the class; just say we did poorly on the midterm. Convenient, isn’t it?
Why are we so fond of using words like you and I, he and she, we and they? Well, read the following paragraph.
Rosa asked Alfredo if Alfredo would help Rosa with Rosa’s English composition. Alfredo told Rosa that Alfredo would be happy to help Rosa, but Alfredo asked Rosa to proofread Rosa’s paper carefully because there were mistakes on Rosa’s paper that Rosa could correct herself.
Now read the revised version of the paragraph above in which pronouns have been used to avoid needless repetition of the names of Alfredo and Rosa. What do you think of the paragraph now?
Rosa asked Alfredo if he would help her with her English composition. Alfredo told her that he would be happy to help her, but he asked Rosa to proofread her paper carefully because there were mistakes on her paper that she could correct herself.
Definition: Pronouns are words used in place of nouns in order to avoid repetition. They are substitutes for names of persons, places, and things.
Definition: The antecedent of the pronoun is the word that a pronoun refers to.
Examples: Mark said that he was upset.
NOUN PRON.
In the sentence above, he refers to Mark. Mark is the antecedent of he.
The building was condemned after it burned down.
NOUN PRON.
In this sentence, it refers to building. Building is the antecedent of it.
She and I have dated since our high school days.
PRON. PRON. PRON.
Our refers to she and I. She and I is the antecedent of our.
In each of the sentences below a pronoun is underlined. Write the pronoun and its antecedent as shown in the example.
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EXAMPLE:
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PRONOUN |
ANTECEDENT |
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1. The mechanic lost his tools.
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his
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mechanic |
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2. Jeff worked on his car. |
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3. The ships made their way into the harbor.
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4. The children waited for the school bus to pick them up.
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5. My piano teacher says that she needs more students.
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6. Randy wrote another long letter to her friend.
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7. You and I will arrive when no one expects us.
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8. Marta, when will your evaluations be done? |
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9. We drove our relatives to the airport, for they had to return to their home suddenly. |
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10. I can’t find my red pen. |
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ANTECEDENT |
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11. You must never leave your children unattended.
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12. I love photography, for it is an exciting hobby.
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13. Susan prepared a delicious dinner for her guests. |
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14. The bank teller cannot identify the two robbers because they were wearing ski masks. |
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15. Cary studied political science for three years before she decided to major in English. |
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16. Bill and Ronald can crush beer cans with their hands.
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VAGUE PRONOUN REFERENCE
Humpty Dumpty once remarked: “When I use a word it means what I wish it to mean, neither more or less.” That may have worked for Humpty Dumpty, but maybe he was present to answer any questions about his paper when it was read out loud. In most cases, however, the writer is not present; therefore, he must make sure that what he means to write and what he actually writes are one and the same.
In this section we will learn about a very common error involving pronouns: vague references. This type of error is best illustrated with several examples. Read each sentence below carefully and compare it with the correct version of the same sentence.
VAGUE: Jim remarked to Larry that he was losing his hair.
PRON.
Who does he refer to, Larry or Jim?
Who was losing his hair?
BETTER: Jim remarked to Larry, “I am losing my hair.”
PRON.
VAGUE: In the Writing Lab, it says that no eating is allowed.
PRON.
What is it?
BETTER: In the Writing Lab, a sign says that no eating is allowed.
Revise the following sentences to avoid vagueness.
1. At the station, he said I should file charges.
REVISION:
2. The striking pilots were eager to discuss the new proposals, but they were not serious.
REVISION:
3. This made our class exciting and challenging.
REVISION:
4. The dog ran after the car. It sped along at twenty miles an hour. It collapsed and died.
REVISION:
5. The baskets were filled with fruits. They were green.
REVISION:
6. At the welfare office, they get many requests for low-income housing.
REVISION:
7. Marta was furious with Maria, and she looked miserable.
8. He reported on the eleven o’clock news that the abducted child was safe.
REVISION:
9. Robert and Frank were best friends until he told him that he would be dating his sister.
REVISION:
10. Laura and her sister went shopping. They had to return home when she became ill.
REVISION:
Remember the paragraph about Alfredo and Rosa? That example served to illustrate how pronouns, when used correctly, can improve readability and comprehension significantly. Excessive use of them, on the other hand, can ruin an otherwise acceptable sentence.
Do not repeat a pronoun directly after its antecedent. Use either the pronoun or the antecedent – not both.
REPETITIOUS: My father, he said I should not drink and drive.
ANT. PRON.
The pronoun he unnecessarily repeats the antecedent father, which is right before it.
BETTER: My father said I should not drink and drive.
Be especially careful when using the pronoun it in a sentence. Study the example below.
EXAMPLE: These are some of the reasons, I believe, writing correctly it is very important for everybody.
In the sentence above, the pronoun it refers to writing correctly, but since it immediately follows writing correctly, it is not necessary.
BETTER: These are some of the reasons, I believe, writing correctly is very important for everybody.
1. My friend, Billy, he studied psychology at the University of Florida.
REVISION:
2. I remember a time my friends and I were punished for something we didn’t do it.
REVISION:
3. The records, they showed that Regina owed money to Alfredo.
REVISION:
4. In the article, it says that drinking skim milk may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
REVISION:
5. One of the things I did that I was proud of it was when I earned my high school diploma.
REVISION:
6. Make sure this is the job, which you will be satisfied with it.
REVISION:
7. Carmen, she is an expert on the anatomy of the pig.
REVISION:
8. The doctor, he said that Marlene suffers from five different allergies.
REVISION:
Each of the words from the list below is singular. Any pronoun that refers to one of them must also be singular.
anybody everyone someone somebody each
anyone everybody no one nobody
EXAMPLES:
Everyone should do what he can to help.
ANT. PRON.
He refers to everyone, a singular antecedent. Consequently, he must also be a singular pronoun.
Each wanted to do his work.
ANT. PRON.
His refers to each. Since each is a singular antecedent, his must be a singular pronoun.
NOTE: In the past, writers used he or him to refer to both men and women. Now, however, many writers prefer he or she, his or her, or him or her.
Anyone is a singular antecedent which requires the singular pronoun he or she.
Fill in the correct pronoun in the blank. Then write the antecedent of each pronoun in the column on the right.
EXAMPLE: ANTECEDENT
Each man is responsible for his actions each
1. Anyone can learn to write if ____________tries ___________
2. A person should take care of ____________teeth. ___________
3. Each woman contributed in ____________own way ___________
4. No one wanted to donate ___________money to charity. ___________
5. Everybody is welcome to try ________hand at solving ___________
the problem.
6. The children never put away _________toys. ____________
7. Everyone can take ____________break outdoors. ____________
8. Many people are leaving ________cars home and are
riding Metro-rail to work.
9. Someone left __________books on the kitchen table. ____________
10. No man can control _________ destiny.
Any pronoun which refers to one of the singular constructions below must be a singular pronoun.
either of
neither of
each of
every one of
EXAMPLES: One of the books is missing from its place.
ANT. PRON.
Its, a singular pronoun, refers to one, a singular antecedent.
Neither of the boys did his homework.
ANT. PRON.
The singular antecedent neither is used with the singular pronoun his.
Fill in the correct pronoun in each blank. Then write the antecedent of each pronoun in the column on the right.
EXAMPLE: ANTECEDENT
Each of the girls did her chores. Each
2. Either of the coats will last if ________is not ____________
worn too often.
3. Each of us is responsible for_________actions. ____________
4. Every one of the buildings has _______own charm. ____________
5. Neither of the playwrights wanted to read ____________ _______________own play.
6. One of the tutors’ did not know_________students. _____________
7. Either of the bands can perform ________songs _____________
at the carnival.
8. The book had many of __________pages torn. _____________
9. Neither of the doctors is capable of curing ______________
_________patients.
10. Anybody can tell stories _________own way. ________________
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Pronouns ending in self or selves can be used in 2 ways.
In the sentence (1) Marlene did something to herself; she admired herself.
Here herself is called a reflexive pronoun.
In sentence (2) myself emphasizes the fact that I – much to my surprise – was to blame for the accident. Here myself is called an intensive pronoun.
ANTECEDENT REFLEXIVE or INTENSIVE PRONOUN
You (singular) Yourself
He Himself
She Herself
It Itself
We Ourselves
You (plural) Yourselves
They Themselves
In the sentences below, fill in the correct intensive or reflexive pronoun.
EXAMPLE: I could have told him myself.
1. Mike could not believe that he had missed his flight.
2. My friend and I treated to an expensive dinner last night.
3. Susan wanted all the honor for .
4. The new microwave oven is capable of cleaning .
5. I cannot believe it.
6. Don’t help them; let them find it .
7. You should be able to solve the puzzle.
8. Marta found in quite a predicament.
9. Which student considers the best writer in the class.
10. I did not do this handout by .
Written By: Alfredo Rodriguez
Cary Castro