1. Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement When everyone writes your paper, do they agree with what you wrote? Taken from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_pronuse.html

2. Using Pronouns Clearly  Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands which noun your pronoun is referring to.

3. Pronouns should:  1. Agree in NUMBER  2. Agree in PERSON

4. 1. NUMBER Agreement  INCORRECT: If a student parks a car on campus, they have to buy a parking sticker.  Student = Singular  They = Plural

5. 1. NUMBER Agreement (cont) If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun.  CORRECT: If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker. Student = Singular He or she = Singular (s/he)

6. Remember: The words EVERYBODY ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, A PERSON, are singular and take singular pronouns.

7. More practice:  Neither of the girls brought ________ umbrella.  Everybody ought to do __________ best.  People don’t appreciate what _______ have.

8. 2. PERSON Agreement  INCORRECT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready.  A person = third person  You = second person

9. PERSON Agreement (cont) If you are writing in the "first person" ( I), don't confuse your reader by switching to the "second person" ( you) or "third person" (he, she, they, it, etc.). Similarly, if you are using the "second person," don't switch to "first" or "third.“  CORRECT: When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready.  A person = third person  He or she = third person

10. More practice: 1. The mama rhinoceros searches for ___________ food bowl. 2. When a student gets an A, ____________ should be allowed to choose to not take the final exam. 3. When __________ are sick of ice cream, you should switch to chocolate!

11. Finally…  Incorrect: If anybody wants to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.  Incorrect: A student must see their counselor before the end of the semester.

12.  I get worried when the neighbors let their dog out.