Using Pronouns Clearly An ALC Writing Workshop

Using Pronouns ClearlyAn ALC Writing Workshop

What is a pronoun? Click here!

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Using Pronouns Clearly A pronoun’s purpose is to take the place of a noun. The pronoun must take the correct form so that it is clear to the reader what noun you are replacing. Therefore, pronouns must: • Agree in number • Agree in person • Refer clearly to a specific noun

Agreeing in number If a studentwants to play football on the school’s team, he must earn good grades.

Agreeing in number The words Everybody, Anybody, Each, Neither, Nobody, Someoneand A Personare singular and use singular pronouns as well. Everybody ought to be responsible for his or herown actions. Other Examples?

Agreeing in Person Be careful when you are writing in first person that you do not switch to writing in second or third person. This will confuse your audience. The same goes for when you are writing in second or third person. George needs to check out a book from the library across town for a report he is writing on beta fish. The report is due tomorrow, and George does not own a car. He might not make it on time to check out the book, so it might be best for him to use an internet source instead.

Referring to a Specific Noun Don’t bevagueorambiguous. When Rachael dropped her cell phone on the pavement, it broke. What broke, the pavement, or the cell phone? How can we fix this sentence? When Rachael dropped her cell phone on the pavement, her cell phone broke.

Pronoun Case • Subjective case: pronouns used as subjects • I saw her buy the car. • Objective case: pronouns used as objects of verbs or prepositions. • I watchedherdrive the car. • Possessive case: pronouns which express ownership. • That was mypizza.

Pronoun Case • Pronouns as: Pronouns as: Pronouns as: • Subjects Objects Possession • I Me My (Mine) • You You Yours • he, she, it him, her, it his, her (hers), it (its) • we us our (ours) • they them their (theirs) • who whom whose • The pronouns This, That, These, Those, and Which do not change form.

Some problems of case: In Compound Structures Today is my co-worker, Gayle’s, birthday. I decided to take her out to lunch- just her and I/me. A gentleman opened the door for Gayle and I/me at the restaurant Us/Wewomen at the office always enjoy the chocolate cake at the restaurant so Gayle and I were sure to order extra to take back to the office with us. Gayle and I/me enjoyed our lunch together

Some problems of case: In Compound Structures Today is my co-worker, Gayle’s, birthday. I decided to take her out to lunch- just her and me. A gentleman opened the door for Gayle and me at the restaurant Wewomen at the office always enjoy the chocolate cake at the restaurant so Gayle and I were sure to order extra to take back to the office with us. Gayle and I enjoyed our lunch together

Some problems of case: In Comparisons Comparison phrases usually contain the words than or as • He is bigger than I (am big). • This will encourage you as much as (it encourages) me.

Identify the problems and correct them.(Answers are on the next page) • 1.The secretary finished typing hers work, before the students got out of his or her classes. • 2. When someone does not follow the rules of the road, they are likely to be pulled over by a police officer. • 3. If sales associates work long hours with no breaks he or she is likely to be very tired at the end of the day.

Answers • 1. Thesecretaryfinished typing her work, before the students got out of theirclasses. • 2. When someonedoes not follow the rules of the road, he or sheis likely to be pulled over by a police officer. • 3. If sales associateswork long hours with no breaks they are likely to be very tired at the end of the day.

Identify the problems and correct them. • 4. My dogs must behave if them want me to give them a treat. • 5. Delana was thrilled to discover that Delana had been asked to read the poem Delana had written. • 6. A student must turn in all of their work if they wants to get a good grade in the class.

Answers • 4. Mydogsmust behave if they want me to give them a treat. • 5. Delanawas thrilled to discover that she had been asked to read the poem she had written. • 6. A studentmust turn in all of their work if He or shewants to get a good grade in the class.

Identify the problems and correct them. • 7. After making presents for her friends, Lucy decided to give them away to needy children instead. • 8. When Tommy threw the toy at the chair, it broke. • 9. Joy forgot her house keys on her father’s kitchen table.

Identify the problems and correct them. • 7. After making presents for her friends, Lucy decided to give the presents away to needy children instead. (ambiguous) • 8. When Tommy threw the toy at the chair, the chair broke. (ambiguous) • 9. Joy forgot her house keys on her father’s kitchen table. (correct as is)

Identify the problems and correct them. • 10. My friends and I enjoy going to the movie theatre. • 11. The shopkeeper was very polite to my husband and I. • 12. My friend and me have decided to leave early for our road trip.

Answers • 10. My friends and I enjoy going to the movie theatre. (correct) • 11. The shopkeeper was very polite to my husband and me. • 12. My friend andIhave decided to leave early for our road trip.

Identify the problems and correct them. • 13. The waiter was very polite to my friends and I. • 14. My sister is 3 years older than me. • 15. My cousin is younger than I am.

Answers • 13. The waiter was very polite to my friends and me. • 14. My sister is 3 years older than I. • 15. My cousin is younger than I am. (correct)

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Using Pronouns Clearly An ALC Writing Workshop