multiple personalities pronoun-antecedent agreement

1. Multiple Personalities? Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A Short Course for Writers Prepared by Dr. Brenda Cornell Central Texas College

3. Okay, try to think of multiple personalities--a confusing idea, right? You don�t know who the real person is? Never confuse your audience by changing the way you talk about your subject. A �he,� �she,� or �it� refers to ONE person or thing. �They,� �them,� or �their� refers to MORE THAN ONE person or thing. If your second reference is to �they,� �them,� or �their,� and your subject is singular, your idea is as confusing as multiple personalities.

4. If the subject�s already plural. . . The solution is simple. Try this one out. Our instructor said, �All students will receive_______graded essays on Thursday.� Which pronoun did you choose, and what were your clues?

5. Indefinite pronoun subjects When indefinite pronouns, such as each, either, neither, any, everybody, somebody, and nobody are used, think of a singular subject. EXAMPLES: �Neither of the actors had learned his lines.� �Either Joanne or Jennifer will lend you her notes.�

6. When gender is inclusive or unknown: Follow the pronoun with his or her. If your sentence is awkward, re-write it with a plural subject. EXAMPLE: �Anyone who has studied his or her lessons properly should do well on the test.� OR: �Those who have studied their lessons properly should do well on the test.�

7. Two singular subjects Usually, 2 or more antecedents joined by and call for a plural pronoun. EXAMPLE: �The briefcase and umbrella were missing from their usual place on the hall table.�

8. Singular and Plural subjects If one singular and one plural subject are joined by or, either-or, or neither-nor, the pronoun agrees with the one closer to the verb. EXAMPLE: �Either Terrance or the Browns will let us use their mower.� OR: �Either the Browns or Terrance will let us use his mower.�

9. Collective noun subjects When a collective noun is considered to be a single unit, the pronoun referring to it is singular. EXAMPLE: �The troop of scouts made its way slowly through the woods.� BUT when the collective noun refers to separate individuals in the group, use a plural pronoun. EXAMPLE: �The staff lost their jobs when the factory closed.�

10. Ready for a bit of practice? Neither the Grangers nor Tom Caldwell knew (his, their) lines by opening night. Maria and Tim completed (his/her, their) project on time. The class rushed into the computer lab and took (his/her, their) seats. Either Richard or Frank will be able to lend (his, their) help in planning the film festival.

11. In summary, when dealing with pronoun agreement Remember the rules! Avoid the suggestion of multiple personalities if you want to give your reader a clear message!

12. Works Cited Reinking, Hart, and von der Osten. Strategies for Successful Writing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2002.