COMMUNICATION SKILLS-I

Pronoun The part of speech that substitutes for nouns or noun phrases and designates persons or things asked for It can take the place of a subject word (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) It can take the place of an object word (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) It can take the place of a possessive word (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs)

What does reference mean? When you refer to something, you point to something specific. A reference is a way of pointing out a connection or relationship between two things. If your references are unclear, your readers and listeners can’t make connections.

Pronouns and antecedents A pronoun stands for, or refers to, another word or word group, called the antecedent. Example-Saurabh wanted to visit the museum, but it had closed for the day.

Pronouns and antecedents Generally, the meaning of a pronoun is clear only when the reader knows to which word or word group the pronoun refers Shambhavi assured Vinay that she would help him in managing the co-curricular activities. The meaning of she is clear because we know she refers to Shambhavi. The meaning of him is clear because we know him refers to Vinay .

Pronouns and antecedents A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent. A pronoun reference is sometimes unclear because the pronoun and its antecedent do not agree—in number, gender, person, or case. Sairas is always thinking about holidays. It seems to be her only interest. Unclear Clear Sairas is always thinking about holidays. They seem to be her only interest. Sairas is always thinking about his leisure time. It seems to be heronly interest. Clear

Pronouns and antecedents The noun that a pronoun stands for Lambert purchased an airline ticket, and now he can’t find it. “Lambert ” is the antecedent for “he.” “airline ticket” is the antecedent for “it.”

Number Examples- Lambert purchased an airline ticket, and now he can’t find it. Lambert is singular; the pronoun he is also singular. Airline ticket is singular; the pronoun it is also singular. Airline passengers must show their photo-identification cards to the ticket agent. Airline passengers is plural; the pronoun their is also plural.

Gender Examples- Each passenger is responsible for getting his or her passport. Each passenger is a singular genderless antecedent, so the singular pronoun his or her is preferred usage. The university has changed its recommendations for the new parking lot facility. University is a singular neuter antecedent, so the singular neuter pronoun its is used.

Person Examples- Incorrect: When a person turns twenty, your perspective on life changes in many ways. (The first half of the sentence is written in third person, while the second half is in second person.) Correct: When a person turns twenty, his or her perspective on life changes in many ways. (The entire sentence is written in third person.)

Some Tips to Keep in Mind WHO and WHOM refer to PEOPLE WHICH refers to PLACES and THINGS WHERE refers to PLACES THAT refers to any of the above and anonymous groups The novels that are on my book club’s reading list are all bestsellers. WHOSE refers to PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGS The book whose pages are torn is an antique. HISSELF, THEYSELF, THEIRSELF, and THEIRSELVES are NOT words! POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS DO NOT REQUIRE APOSTROPHES: his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs

RULE #1 Every pronoun must have a clear and conspicuous antecedent (word to which it refers). The antecedent must be a single noun, not an entire sentence or idea. Therefore, do not use the pronouns it, which, that, and this to refer to an entire sentence.

Watch for “it”! INCORRECT Sunny is inquisitive whether his name will appear. It doesn’t surprise me. CORRECT Sunny being inquisitive whether his name will appear doesn’t surprise me. OR I am not surprised that Sunny is inquisitive whether his name will appear.

Watch for “this”! INCORRECT Nisar is inquisitive whether his name will appear. This doesn’t surprise me. CORRECT Nisar is inquisitive whether his name will appear. This attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR Nisar is inquisitive whether his name will apear. His attitude doesn’t surprise me.

Watch for “that”! INCORRECT Everyone is eager to know who is next. That doesn’t surprise me. CORRECT Everyone is eager to know who is next. That attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR All are eager to know who is next. Their attitude doesn’t surprise me.

Watch for “which”! INCORRECT Rajendra is sleeping during my class which doesn’t surprise me. CORRECT Rajendra sleeping during my class doesn’t surprise me. OR Rajendra is sleeping during my class, a fact which doesn’t surprise me.

RULE #1 Examples UNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. CLEAR: Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. UNCLEAR: In Vaibhav’s feedback, he said English course can be taken off from the curriculum CLEAR: In his feedback, Vaibhav said English course can be taken off from the curriculum .

UNCLEAR: My students want me to become a better teacher, but I’m not sure about it. CLEAR: My students want me to become a better teacher, but I’m not sure about how to improve/ what can be done for the same. UNCLEAR: Aman is not doing well in his English class, which is irking. CLEAR: Aman is not doing well in his English class, a situation which is irking. UNCLEAR: At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a writing test.

RULE #2 Every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular too; Use masculine, feminine, or neuter pronouns (it or its) to match the masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents.

Dual gender/singular antecedent INCORRECT Everyone has to fill a feedback form describing their experience. CORRECT Everyone has to fill a feedback form describing his or her experience.

Pronouns ending with body, thing, etc. are singular. Every, no , some, any }body, one, thing Use singular pronouns with the above antecedents. Use his or her since the gender could be masculine or feminine.

Singular Indefinite Pronouns continued INCORRECT When someone has not been attentive, they are more likely to miss the content. CORRECT When someone has not been attentive, he or she is more likely to miss the content. When students have not been attentive, they are more likely to miss the content. Someone who has not been attentive is more likely to miss the content than someone who has been attentive.

Generic/singular antecedents INCORRECT Every citizen must pay their taxes. A student must study hard if they want to succeed. CORRECT Every citizen must pay his or her taxes. A student must study hard if he or she wants to succeed.

Genderless antecedents – collective nouns INCORRECT The team has never won on their home court. The jury has reached their decision. CORRECT The team has never won on its home court. The jury has reached its decision.

The Problems When a pronoun refers to either of two antecedents Incorrect: Shweta doesn’t enjoy playing chess with Archana because she is a much better player. Correct: Shweta doesn’t enjoy playing chess with Archana, who is a much better player. OR Shweta, who is a much better player than Archana, doesn’t enjoy playing chess with her.

The Problems When a pronoun refers to either of two antecedents Incorrect: Mansi’s mother was beaming with pride when she graduated from college with honors. Correct: When Mansi graduated from college with honors, her mother was beaming with pride.

hisself, theyself, themself, theirself, theirselves The Problems When nonstandard pronouns replace standard English pronouns Incorrect: Before the students come to class, they will need to check their UMS accounts for updates theirselves. Correct: Before the students come to class, they will need to check their UMS accounts for updates themselves. Nonstandard Pronouns hisself, theyself, themself, theirself, theirselves Correct Pronouns himself, themselves

The Problems When the antecedent is an indefinite singular, genderless pronoun Incorrect and Outdated: Everyone gave his version of the incident. Correct: Everyone gave his or her version of the incident. Correct: All of them gave their version of the incident.

The Problems When the antecedent is a genderless noun Incorrect and Outdated: A lawyer represents his clients. Correct: A lawyer represents his or her clients. Incorrect: Every employee has the combination to their private locker. Correct: Every employee has the combination to his or her private locker.

The Problems When the antecedent is a collective noun Incorrect: The choir decided that they would sing gospel music. Correct: The choir decided that it would sing gospel music. Incorrect: The soccer team will play their first game after Labor Day. Correct: The soccer team will play its first game after Labor Day.

The Problems When the pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular Incorrect : Congress must explain their reason for rejecting the President’s proposal. Correct: Congress must explain its reason for rejecting the President’s proposal.

The Problems When the antecedent is plural and the pronoun is singular Incorrect : Surjit and Ritesh agree on many of his principles. Correct: Surjit and Ritesh agree on many of their principles. Incorrect: Pongal and vada are the most common dishes in Tamil Nadu, and it is served in huge portions. Correct: Pongal and vada are the most common dishes in Tamil Nadu, and they are served in huge portions.

SUMMARY A Pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. An antecedent is the word to which the pronoun refers An antecedent should appear in the same sentence as its pronoun (or in the sentence immediately preceding the pronoun.

SUMMARY A Pronoun should agree with its antecedent. They should agree in terms of gender and in terms of how many persons or things are involved. Some indefinite pronouns – such as everyone, everything, somebody and anyone – are especially likely to be involved in agreement errors They seem to be plural but actually they are singular.

SUMMARY Avoid creating an agreement error when attempting to avoid outdated language. By using a plural pronoun such as they, them, or their along with a plural antecedent, you can avoid