1. RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 1

2. Every man should help his wife with ___ housework. CHOOSE ONE: her, his, their 2

3. Every man should help his wife with ___ housework. her = the “sexist”/politically incorrect response his = the not-so-popular response their = the politically correct response 3

4. Every man should help his wife with ___ housework. THIS CHOICE INVOLVES MAKING A DECISION ABOUT PRONOUNS AND THEIR REFERENCES OR ANTECEDENTS. 4

5. Writers must make these and other pronoun choices in order to eliminate gender-bias pronouns and other “problem pronouns” from their writing. 5

6. PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT This terminology describes a writer’s selection of a pronoun in reference to the noun (or pronoun) it replaces. This terminology describes a writer’s selection of a pronoun in reference to the noun (or pronoun) it replaces. 6

7. PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT SINGULAR PRONOUNS SINGULAR PRONOUNS MASCULINE FEMININE NEUTER MASCULINE FEMININE NEUTER he, his, him she, shis, shim it, its she, her, hers she, her, hers PLURAL PRONOUNS they, their, theirs, them 7

8. PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT If a student is absent, can he or she make it up? If a student is absent, can he or she make it up? The pronouns “he or she” have an antecedent. The problem pronoun is “it.” The pronoun “it” has no reference point. 8

9. Every pronoun needs an antecedent – a reference point. HERE ARE TWO PROBLEM PRONOUNS: HERE ARE TWO PROBLEM PRONOUNS: If a student is absent, can he or she make it up? If a student is absent, can he or she make it up? I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and it was all over my face. I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and it was all over my face. Where is the antecedent for these pronouns? Where is the antecedent for these pronouns? 9

10. What is an antecedent? THE ANTECEDENT IS THE NOUN (OR ANOTHER PRONOUN) TO WHICH THE PRONOUN REFERS. THE ANTECEDENT IS THE NOUN (OR ANOTHER PRONOUN) TO WHICH THE PRONOUN REFERS. 10

11. SOLVING YOUR ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and it was all over my face. REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun. REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun. I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and the embarrassment was all over my face. My embarrassment about my grammatical blunder showed all over my face. 11

12. SOLVING YOUR ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT If a student is absent, can he or she make it up? REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun. REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun. If a student is absent, can he or she make up the assignment? If a student is absent, can he or she make up the absence? 12

13. “Every pronoun must agree with their antecedent.” ONLY ONE PRONOUN BELOW AGREES WITH ITS ANTECEDENT. Each of the young ladies has their own explanation for why the team lost. Each of the young ladies has their own explanation for why the team lost. Every one of the girls brought her own lunch. Every one of the girls brought her own lunch. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has their characters well defined. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has their characters well defined. The company built their reputation by regularly coming up with innovations that kept them a step ahead of their competitors. The company built their reputation by regularly coming up with innovations that kept them a step ahead of their competitors. Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what their score is. Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what their score is. 13

14. Every pronoun must agree with its antecedent. Each of the young ladies has her own explanation for why the team lost. Each of the young ladies has her own explanation for why the team lost. Every one of the girls brought her own lunch. Every one of the girls brought her own lunch. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has its characters well defined. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has its characters well defined. The company built its reputation by regularly coming up with innovations that kept it a step ahead of its competitors. The company built its reputation by regularly coming up with innovations that kept it a step ahead of its competitors. Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what his or her score is. Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what his or her score is. 14

15. Things to Know Before You Begin How to proofread and edit for Pronoun Reference and Antecedent Agreement Errors: Locate all the pronouns. Locate the antecedent for each pronoun. Ensure that every pronoun agrees with its antecedent. 15

16. Pronoun Reference This terminology refers to the use of a pronoun to refer to someone or something explicitly rather than to an unknown or implied reference. This terminology refers to the use of a pronoun to refer to someone or something explicitly rather than to an unknown or implied reference. 16

17. Pronoun Reference Scenario Customer: I’d like to get a new key made. Customer: I’d like to get a new key made. Sales Associate: It’s broken. Sales Associate: It’s broken. Customer (looking at her key): No, it’s not broken. Customer (looking at her key): No, it’s not broken. Obviously, the key machine is broken, but the pronoun “it” has no reference point other than “key.” 17

18. Common Pronoun Reference Mistakes Ambiguous – pronoun could refer to more than one noun The partnership between Hogue and Stith dissolved when he retired. Remote – the antecedent is too far from the pronoun, making the relationship between the two unclear The ultramodern condominiums are located in an area of town where there are no streetlights. However, they are perfectly safe. Implied – the pronoun refers to an antecedent not explicitly stated Randi thinks flying is the best way to travel though she has never been on one. 18

19. Common Pronoun Reference Mistakes Broad – use of “which,” “it,” “this,” or “that” to refer to an entire sentence or idea The cost of living went up another two percent, which caused a serious problem for retired people on a fixed income. Indefinite – pronoun (usually “it” or “they”) refers to a group or entity not seen or known When I read the actor’s autobiography, it made me realize what hard work acting is. Unexpressed – pronoun stands for noun that is not present The library is a great place to work, but they have to stand up often. Irregular use of “you” – unfairly referring to the reader In Uruguay, you can be fined for not voting. 19

20. 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. Ironically, the route that will get us there the fastest is straight through a mountain range. WHOSE refers to PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGS The book whose pages are torn is an antique. The cucumber plants, whose leaves were infested by moths and bugs, turned brown. HISSELF, THEYSELF, THEIRSELF, and THEIRSELVES are NOT words! POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS DO NOT REQUIRE APOSTROPHES: his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs 20

21. 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. 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. 21

22. Watch for “it”! INCORRECT INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. It doesn’t surprise me. REVISED REVISED Our contractor’s being skeptical about solar energy doesn’t surprise me. OR I am not surprised that our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. 22

23. Watch for “this”! INCORRECT INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. This doesn’t surprise me. REVISED REVISED Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. This attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me. 23

24. Watch for “that”! INCORRECT INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. That doesn’t surprise me. REVISED REVISED Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. That attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me. 24

25. Watch for “which”! INCORRECT INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, which doesn’t surprise me. REVISED REVISED Our contractor’s skepticism about solar energy doesn’t surprise me. OR Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, a fact which doesn’t surprise me. OR Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, a fact which doesn’t surprise me. 25

26. RULE #1 Examples UNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. UNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. CLEAR: Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. CLEAR: Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. UNCLEAR: In the President’s speech, he said Americans need better health care insurance. UNCLEAR: In the President’s speech, he said Americans need better health care insurance. CLEAR: In his speech, the President said Americans need better health care insurance. CLEAR: In his speech, the President said Americans need better health care insurance. UNCLEAR: In my senior seminar, you have to write three research papers. UNCLEAR: In my senior seminar, you have to write three research papers. CLEAR: In my senior seminar, students have to write three research papers. CLEAR: In my senior seminar, students have to write three research papers. 26

27. RULE #1 Examples, cont. UNCLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in it. UNCLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in it. CLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in teaching. CLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in teaching. UNCLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, which is frustrating. UNCLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, which is frustrating. CLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a situation which is frustrating. CLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a situation which is frustrating. UNCLEAR: Javier wrote to his brother when he was away at college. UNCLEAR: Javier wrote to his brother when he was away at college. CLEAR: When Javier was away at college, he wrote to his brother. CLEAR: When Javier was away at college, he wrote to his brother. UNCLEAR: At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. UNCLEAR: At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a writing test. CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a writing test. 27

28. RULE #2 Every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular too; if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural too. And--every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in gender: Use masculine, feminine, or neuter pronouns (it or its) to match the masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents. Every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular too; if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural too. And--every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in gender: Use masculine, feminine, or neuter pronouns (it or its) to match the masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents. 28

29. Dual gender/singular antecedent INCORRECT INCORRECT Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing their job. CORRECT CORRECT Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing his or her job. 29

30. 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. 30

31. Singular Indefinite Pronouns continued INCORRECT INCORRECT When someone has been drinking, they are more likely to speed. REVISIONS REVISIONS When someone has been drinking, he or she is more likely to speed. When drivers have been drinking, they are more likely to speed. Someone who has been drinking is more likely to speed than someone who has not. Someone who has been drinking is more likely to speed than someone who has not. 31

32. Generic/singular antecedents INCORRECT INCORRECT Every taxpayer must pay their taxes. A student must study hard if they want to succeed. REVISED REVISED Every taxpayer must pay his or her taxes. A student must study hard if he or she wants to succeed. 32

33. Genderless antecedents – collective nouns INCORRECT INCORRECT The team has never won on their home court. The jury has reached their decision. CORRECT CORRECT The team has never won on its home court. The jury has reached its decision. 33

34. Compound antecedents Stewart and Rosemary moved to the mountains, where they built a log cabin. Stewart and Rosemary moved to the mountains, where they built a log cabin. Either Jason or Rus should have received first prize for his Flash Fiction essay submission. Either Jason or Rus should have received first prize for his Flash Fiction essay submission. Neither Mrs. Moore nor her students found their way to the conference room. (Match the pronoun with the closer antecedent.) Neither Mrs. Moore nor her students found their way to the conference room. (Match the pronoun with the closer antecedent.) 34

35. RULE #2 Examples The prosecuting attorney presented his case. The prosecuting attorney presented his case. Each witness gave his or her testimony. Each witness gave his or her testimony. Judge Judy made her decision. Judge Judy made her decision. The jurors gave their verdict. The jurors gave their verdict. The court made its decision. The court made its decision. Every journalist wrote his or her story. Every journalist wrote his or her story. 35

36. Let’s Practice!!! Any student wishing to add a new course after January 10 must file a petition with (his or her, your, their) advisor. Any student wishing to add a new course after January 10 must file a petition with (his or her, your, their) advisor. HIS or HER HIS or HER The college plans a variety of entertainment and instruction so that (its, it’s, their) graduates can keep abreast of modern education. The college plans a variety of entertainment and instruction so that (its, it’s, their) graduates can keep abreast of modern education. ITS ITS Carlos’s interest in horseback riding stems from the fact that his grandparents raise them. Carlos’s interest in horseback riding stems from the fact that his grandparents raise them. …RAISE HORSES. …RAISE HORSES. 36

37. Let’s Practice a Little More!!! Mumps is an unpredictable disease; some of the family contracted them, and others did not. Mumps is an unpredictable disease; some of the family contracted them, and others did not. …CONTRACTED IT… …CONTRACTED IT… Does either of the applicants for the job have their degree in marketing? Does either of the applicants for the job have their degree in marketing? …HAVE HIS OR HER DEGREE… …HAVE HIS OR HER DEGREE… The economists forecast a rise in production; this was certainly encouraging to all of us looking for jobs. The economists forecast a rise in production; this was certainly encouraging to all of us looking for jobs. THIS FORECAST WAS… THIS FORECAST WAS… In this chapter, it states that an essay should have a thesis statement. In this chapter, it states that an essay should have a thesis statement. …THE AUTHOR STATES… …THE AUTHOR STATES… 37