1. Pronouns A matter of agreement

2. Pronouns A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Pronouns may refer to the person speaking: This is a first-person pronoun. I, mine, we, our They may refer to the person spoken to. These are second-person pronouns. you, your They may refer to other people, places, or things. These are called third-person pronouns. she, him, its, they, their

3. Pronouns As the previous examples show, a pronoun usually refers to a person. Thus, the largest group of pronouns is made up of personal pronouns. They can be singular: I, me, mine, my, he, she, it, him, her, its Or they can be plural: we, us, our, ours, they, them, their, theirs

4. Pronouns Pronouns can also be classified by gender: feminine pronouns refer to females (she, her); masculine pronouns refer to males (he, his, him). Pronouns that refer to things (and often animals) are in the neuter gender.

5. Pronouns What are the pronouns used in place of the italicized nouns in the following sentences? A crane lifted the boulder and loaded it onto a truck. Mark said, “I was born in Michigan.” The paramedics finally arrived, and they immediately took charge.

6. Pronouns The antecedent of a pronoun is the noun or other pronoun for which the pronoun stands. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender. The mean girls coordinated their wardrobes. Jack loves his imaginary girlfriend. Emma put a beat-down on her swimming opponent.

7. Pronouns Agreement in number: rules If the antecedent of a pronoun is singular, use a singular pronoun. If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. Did either Jared or Ethan think that his brilliant writing would be read generations from now?

8. Pronouns If the antecedents joined by or or nor are not both singular, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent nearer the verb. Neither this poem nor other poems by Hannah use strict rhythm for their effect. Use either a singular or plural pronoun to refer to a collective noun antecedent, depending on the meaning you intend. The class will present its program of modern verse. The class will read their chosen poems aloud.

9. Pronouns Correct or incorrect? Everybody should write their own poem. Everybody should write your own poem. Everybody should write his or her own poem.

10. Pronouns: Review: A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun or another pronoun. The largest group of pronouns is made up of personal pronouns. Pronouns can also be classified by gender. The antecedent of a pronoun is the noun or other pronoun for which the pronoun stands.

11. Pronouns Some pronouns do not refer to a definite person or thing. These are called indefinite pronouns. another, each, anybody, anything, anyone, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, someone

12. Pronouns Use singular possessive pronouns with singular indefinite pronoun antecedents. Everyone has his or her favorite poet. Neither of the poets – Tess or Hailey – would think of herself as a writer of simple poetry. Use plural possessive pronouns with plural indefinite pronoun antecedents. Both of the poets have had their poems reprinted. Many of us wish our poems were as good as theirs.

13. Pronouns: Examples A person should be responsible for themselves. A person should be responsible for himself or herself. Whomever would do that is definitely not a good friend, and they obviously should not be trusted. Whomever would do that is definitely not a good friend, and he or she obviously should not be trusted.

14. Pronouns: examples I believe that it is easy for someone to turn a blind eye to their personal shortcomings. I believe that it is easy for one to turn a blind eye to his or her personal shortcomings. This person might be so used to plagiarizing work that when they write up a report, it is mostly copied work. This person might be so used to plagiarizing work that when he or she writes up a report, it is mostly copied work.

15. Pronouns: examples I once let a friend copy my homework because they forgot to do it. I once let a friend copy my homework because he forgot to do it. If someone doesn’t listen to their friends about cheating, they may lose their social status among friends. If someone doesn’t listen to his or her friends about cheating, he or she may lose social status among friends. Eventually, everyone is going to have to fend for themselves. Eventually, everyone is going to have for himself or herself.

16. Pronouns: examples Sometimes, you can change the antecedent. Even if that person does get a bad grade on the test or assignment, in the long run they will feel better about themselves for not cheating. Even if people do not get a bad grade on the test or assignment, in the long run they will feel better about themselves for not cheating.

17. Pronouns: examples High school students need more patience, or they need different friends. They need different friends because his or her dishonesty might be a result of his or her acquaintance peer pressuring the student. High school students need more patience, or they need different friends. They need different friends, because their dishonesty might be a result of their acquaintances peer pressuring them.

18. Pronouns: Review: 8 Rules A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender. If the antecedent of a pronoun is singular, use a singular pronoun. If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. If the antecedents joined by or or nor are not both singular, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent nearer the verb. Use either a singular or plural pronoun to refer to a collective noun antecedent, depending on the meaning you intend. A personal pronoun must be in the same person as its antecedent. Use singular possessive pronouns with singular indefinite pronoun antecedents. Use plural possessive pronouns with plural indefinite pronoun antecedents.