2. This PowerPoint Presentation is ©2012 by Robin L. Simmons. All Rights Reserved. Robin L. SimmonsRobin L. Simmons This PowerPoint Presentation is ©2012 by Robin L. Simmons. All Rights Reserved. Robin L. SimmonsRobin L. Simmons

3. ENC 1101, Freshman Composition I Pronoun Reference Even more pronoun rules to learn! Even more pronoun rules to learn!

4. Now read this sentence: Rule 1: Each pronoun must refer clearly to a single antecedent. Samuel told Brian that his skirt was too short and too tight. hishis Is there a problem?

5. Isn’t it possible to see two different pictures? This one … Dude, that skirt is a little tight! Dude, that skirt is a little tight! You really think so? You really think so?

6. … or this one? I know, I know … It’s too tight! I know, I know … It’s too tight! No time for laundry this week, huh? No time for laundry this week, huh?

7. Samuel told Brian that his skirt was too short and too tight. To fix the mistake, try Strategy 1. Use a specific word to replace the pronoun. The correction looks like this: Brian’s skirt Yeah, but I don’t like the repetition of the name! Yeah, but I don’t like the repetition of the name! Samuel’s skirt

8. Samuel told Brian that his skirt was too short and too tight. Or try Strategy 2. Completely revise the sentence, like this: Brian, “Your skirt is too tight.” Brian, “My skirt is too Use Strategy 1 or 2 depending on what works best for the sentence! Use Strategy 1 or 2 depending on what works best for the sentence!

9. Rule 2: A pronoun should not refer to a possessive noun [one that ends in ’s or s’ ]. Now read this sentence: The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as it attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled soda. itit Is there a problem, my friends? Is there a problem, my friends?

10. The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as it attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled soda. To fix the problem, try Strategy 1. Strategy 1: Use of to show possession instead of ’s or s’. Notice that now cockroach is free of the ’s! Notice that now cockroach is free of the ’s! The antennae of the cockroach searched

11. Warning!Warning! Don’t use Strategy 1 if the sentence will sound really weird. Bob’s eyes grew more and more tired as he studied his pronoun reference rules. The eyes of Bob grew … Sounds like the title of a horror movie. Coming this summer to a theater near you … The Eyes of Bob! Sounds like the title of a horror movie. Coming this summer to a theater near you … The Eyes of Bob!

12. The eyes of Bob say know Strategy 2! The eyes of Bob say know Strategy 2!

13. Strategy 2 Change the unclear pronoun to a specific noun. The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as it attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled soda. No pronoun = no pronoun reference error! No pronoun = no pronoun reference error! this insect attempted to find

14. Rule 3: Use they with precision. They should have a single, clear antecedent. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. They say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. Now read this sentence: Is there a problem? TheyThey

15. They who? Clowns from the circus? Talking ducks from Lake Eola? Market analysts ? Pay attention! I know you can hear me! Pay attention! I know you can hear me!

16. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Circus clowns say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. The talking ducks at Lake Eola say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Market analysts say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. Say what you mean!

17. Rule 4: Use it with precision. It should have a single, clear antecedent. It says in this week’s National Inquisitor that the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis Presley. Now read this sentence: Is there a problem? ItIt

18. What says? Who says? It says in this week’s National Inquisitor that the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis Presley. This says that the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis Presley. I must admit that Elvis tasted pretty bad. I must admit that Elvis tasted pretty bad.

19. In addition, use it sparingly. Allow yourself no more than two it s it s per sentence! Who says? Who says? We do! The talking ducks from Lake Eola! We do! The talking ducks from Lake Eola!

20. Rule 6: Use you [or any other second-person pronoun] only for direct address. Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria because you pay too much for a soda. Now read this sentence: youyou Is there a problem?

21. Fix the problem this way: Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria because you pay too much for a soda. he pays too much for a soda. $1.89 for 16 ounces! Are you kidding me? $1.89 for 16 ounces! Are you kidding me?

22. Rule 7: Make sure that who, which, and that refer to the right types of nouns. My German shepherd King, which barks incessantly, works better at deterring thieves than an alarm system. Now read this sentence: Is there a problem? whichwhich

23. Use who for people, famous animals, or named pets. Roberto, who plays guitar … King, who guards the house … Flipper, who had his own TV show …

24. Use which for inanimate objects and unnamed animals. Our fridge, which makes strange noises … My lucky pen, which I use to write … The stray cat which my neighbor juggles …

25. Use that for anything unnamed, though who is best for people. The jerk that lives next door … The iguana that Jason has as a pet … The coffee maker that we got as a gift …

26. The End. Study for your pronoun reference quiz! It’s a hard nut to quack! Study for your pronoun reference quiz! It’s a hard nut to quack!