We’re going to review Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement!

1. We’re going to review Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement! Journal #6: Grammar Lesson Series

2. What Are The Rules Of This Fun, Fun, Game!? • Every pronoun must have an antecedent! • Pronoun: a pronoun is a word or form that substitutes for a noun or noun phrase • Antecedent: a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another. • 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. • 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.

3. Last Rule… • Avoid using “you” as a pronoun in academic writing! • You should have watched the trial because it was important. • Citizens should watch the trial because it is important. • If one had watched the trial, then one would know the outcome. • Replace “you” with “one” or “people” or in some literary analysis papers, “readers” • Use a different sentence structure! Instead of saying “You can get to Ohio by bus,” try: • Travelling to Ohio can be accomplished by bus • Many people travel to Ohio by bus. • Ohio can be reached by bus.

4. Examples: Which is the pronoun, and which is the antecedent? • The prosecuting attorney presented his case. • Each witness gave his or her testimony. • Judge Judy made her decision. • The jurors gave their opinions. • The court made its decision. • Every journalist wrote his or her story. • The journalists asked each witness for his or her opinion. • The prosecution team has never won any of its cases.

5. Journal #6: Help this UNCLEAR writer! Re-write these 8 sentences. • Javier wrote to his brother when he was away at college. • My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in it. • In the short story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes he teaches us to always be kind to others. • At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. • It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. • In the President’s speech, he said Americans need better health care insurance. • In my senior seminar, you have to write three research papers. • Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, which is frustrating.