How to use pronouns …or, they’re all that!

List of Common Pronouns Personal Pronouns: I, me, us, we, it, he, she, they, them, him, her, one, you, y’all (you all) Possessive Pronouns: her, hers, his, its, mine, our, ours, their, theirs, your, yours, whose Others: who, whom, which, that, everybody, anybody, anyone, each, either, neither, nobody, someone, somebody

Pronouns must agree in number –EX: If an athlete wants to succeed, he or she must practice daily NOT “…they must practice daily.” –EX: If one wants to be healthy, one should eat nutritious foods. NOT “…they should eat nutritious foods.” –EX: If a politician wants to be re-elected, _______ must not insult too many people Singular nouns are replaced with singular pronouns he or she

Pronouns must agree in number –EX: Somebody should have taken his or her shower today. NOT “…taken their shower.” –EX: Neither of the boys remembered his art supplies. NOT “…their art supplies.” –EX: Did everyone bring _________ raincoat? Everybody, anybody, anyone, each, either, neither, nobody, someone, somebody, etc are replaced with singular pronouns his or her

Pronouns must agree in number –EX: People ought to mind their manners. NOT “…his or her manners” –EX: The newlyweds had their luggage confiscated at the airport. NOT “…his or her luggage…” –EX: The wolves in the pack raised ________ voices in a prolonged howl. If you use a plural noun, you may use “they” as the pronoun. their

Pronouns must agree in number –EX: Mr. Universe refused to pose in his bikini. NOT “…his or her bikini” –EX: The boy’s mother packed his lunch. NOT “…his or her lunch…” –EX: A mama grizzly bear will ferociously defend _________ cubs. If you use an obvious gender reference, you may use a gender specific pronoun. her

Pronouns must agree in person –EX: If at first a person doesn’t succeed, he or she should try again. NOT: “…succeed, I should” or “…succeed, you should.” –EX: When I tell you something, I mean what I say. NOT: “…something, he means what he says.” –EX: If a man wants to get to know a girl, _________ should not seem too desperate. Stick with the point of view from which you are writing. he

Pronouns must refer to a specific noun –EX: Although the trophy hit the hardwood floor, it was not damaged. What was not damaged? The floor or the trophy? Try: “The floor was not damaged when it was hit by the falling trophy.” –EX: They shouldn’t let students dress that way. Who are “they”? Try: The administration shouldn’t let students dress that way. There must be no doubt as to which noun the pronoun is referring

Pronouns must refer to a specific noun There must be no doubt as to which noun the pronoun is referring –EX: We have two weeks off for Christmas, which is fun. What is fun? Christmas or having two weeks off? Try: –EX: When Maria told the mob about Jane’s activities, she was executed. Who was executed, Maria for telling the mob or Jane for her activities? Try: “When Maria told the mob about Jane’s activities, Jane was executed.” “Our Christmas break, which is two weeks long, is fun.”