CHAPTER SEVENTEEN SUBJECT, OBJECT, AND POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

Pronouns- words that are used to refer to persons, places, things, and ideas without repeating their names. Singular Pronouns Subject ObjectPossessive I memy, mine You youyour, yours He himhis She herher, hers She herher, hers It itits It itits

Plural Pronouns Subject ObjectPossessive We usour, ours You youyour, yours They themtheir, theirs

Subject Pronouns- used as the subject of a sentence or clause. He is a good dancer. In formal speech and writing, subject pronouns are also used after forms of the verb BE In formal speech and writing, subject pronouns are also used after forms of the verb BE That is she singing in the choir. It is I. If I were she, I’d have come to the lecture. They are used this way because they refer to the same thing or person as the subject: as a Predicate Nominative. They are used this way because they refer to the same thing or person as the subject: as a Predicate Nominative. In informal speech, many people would use object pronouns like the examples below: In informal speech, many people would use object pronouns like the examples below: That is her singing in the choir. It is me. If I were her, I’d have come to the lecture.

Object Pronouns- used as objects of prepositions, as direct objects and as indirect objects. Object of Preposition: The award was given to him. Please sit by her. Object of Preposition: The award was given to him. Please sit by her. Direct Object: The artist painted it. He composed it last night. Direct Object: The artist painted it. He composed it last night. Indirect Object: She made him a chocolate cake. Ben gave her a gift. Indirect Object: She made him a chocolate cake. Ben gave her a gift.

Possessive Pronouns- used to show ownership. Possessive Pronouns- used to show ownership. The cat scratched its neck. The children stamped their feet in joy.

Errors in Usage: When more than one subject or object appears, see the example below. Barbara bought Kevin and (I, me) some good cookies. To determine which pronoun is correct, make 2 sentences. To determine which pronoun is correct, make 2 sentences. Barbara bought Kevin some good cookies. Barbara bought Kevin some good cookies. Barbara bought me some good cookies. Barbara bought me some good cookies. DO NOT depend on the “sounds better” idea. DO NOT depend on the “sounds better” idea.

It is always correct to say between you and ME. It is always correct to say between you and ME. In construction like: We seniors must graduate. Take out the noun to determine PN. In construction like: We seniors must graduate. Take out the noun to determine PN.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN PRONOUNS IN COMPARISONS AND PRONOUNS WITH –SELF, - SELVES

Comparing two things to each other is common. Rose is older than I am. *determine which pronoun is correct by mentally filling in the words that have been left out of the comparison. *determine which pronoun is correct by mentally filling in the words that have been left out of the comparison. Mary Anne plays tennis better than I (do). The accident injured Sam more than (it injured) me. Misuse of pronouns can lead to unintentional silly sentences. Misuse of pronouns can lead to unintentional silly sentences. My husband like sports more than me. Likes sports better than he likes you? Correct: My husband likes sports more than I (do). Correct: My husband likes sports more than I (do).

Avoid Doubled Subjects- do not double or repeat the subject of a sentence by repeating the noun in its pronoun form. Avoid Doubled Subjects- do not double or repeat the subject of a sentence by repeating the noun in its pronoun form. Incorrect: My sister, she is a nurse. Correct: My sister is a nurse.

Pronouns with –self, -selves SingularPlural Myselfourselves Myselfourselves Yourselfyourselves Yourselfyourselves Himselfthemselves Himselfthemselves Herself Herself Itself Itself

They can be used as: Reflexive Pronouns: used hen the object of the verb or object of preposition is the same person or thing as the subject. I cut myself. They will do the job by themselves. Reflexive Pronouns: used hen the object of the verb or object of preposition is the same person or thing as the subject. I cut myself. They will do the job by themselves. Emphasis: Frank himself admits that he is lazy. We ourselves are responsible for taxes. Emphasis: Frank himself admits that he is lazy. We ourselves are responsible for taxes. *MYSELF is not sued in place of a subject or an object pronoun. *MYSELF is not sued in place of a subject or an object pronoun. Incorrect: John and myself are going out. Correct: John and I are going out.

CHAPTER NINETEEN AGREEMENT OF PRONOUNS WITH THEIR ANTECEDENTS

Antecedent- the noun to which a pronoun refers. If the Antecedent is singular, the pronoun should be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun is plural. Because the teacher is ill, she will not be at school today. Because the teacher is ill, she will not be at school today. Because the teachers are ill, they will not be at school today. Because the teachers are ill, they will not be at school today.

Incorrect: If an airline passenger wants to catch their flight, they should arrive early. Correct: If an airline passenger wants to catch his flight, he should arrive early. If an airline passenger wants to catch the flight, he or she should arrive early. If an airline passenger wants to catch the flight, he or she should arrive early.

Indefinite pronouns- are singular and require singular verbs. Same with pronouns. Following are singular indefinite pronouns: Anybody, anyone, anything Each, each one Either, neither Everybody, everyone, everything Nobody, no one, nothing Somebody, someone, something

Examples Everyone did as he pleased. Somebody has forgotten her purse.

Avoiding Sexist Language. Each student must bring his or her books to class each day. Each student must bring his or her books to class each day. Simpler: All students must bring their books to class each day. Simpler: All students must bring their books to class each day.

Agreement in Person First Person- the person who is speaking. First Person- the person who is speaking. Second Person- the person being spoken to. Second Person- the person being spoken to. Third Person- the person or thing being spoken about. Third Person- the person or thing being spoken about.

SingularPlural SingularPlural First person Iwe First person Iwe Second person youyou Second person youyou Third Person he, she, it they Third Person he, she, it they Incorrect: If anyone wants to vote, you must register first. Correct: If anyone wants to vote, he or she must register first.

**This kind of mistake is call a shift in person and is considered a serious grammatical error. **This kind of mistake is call a shift in person and is considered a serious grammatical error. **Also, stay consistent throughout essay. **Also, stay consistent throughout essay.