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Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know about Pronouns. Erin Pinkerton. What is a pronoun?. A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun (a person, place, or thing). The noun that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent . Antecedent Pronoun. Pronouns can be many things.
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Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know about Pronouns Erin Pinkerton
What is a pronoun? • A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun (a person, place, or thing). • The noun that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. Antecedent Pronoun
Pronouns can be many things. • Pronouns can be subjects. • I, you, she, he, it we, they. • Pronouns can be objects. • me, you her, him, it, us, them • Pronouns can be possessive. • mine, yours, hers, his, its, ours, theirs
Pronouns should agree in number. • If a pronoun take the place of a singular noun, you must use a singular pronoun. • A friend is someone who always does what she says she will do. NOT • A friend is someone who always does what they say they will do.
There is no gender neutral singular pronoun in English. • A student should always do the best that he or she can. NOT • A student should always do the best they can. • Although this is incorrect, it is common because saying “he or she” can be too wordy. • To avoid this problem, use plural pronouns when possible. • Students should always do the best they can.
Which sentence is correct? • My sister read five books in one week, but she did not like them. • My sister read five books in one week, but she did not like it.
Pronouns should agree in person. • Understand the difference between first person (I), second person (you), and third person (he, she, they, it). • Do not switch from writing in third person to writing in second person in the same sentence. • When a student comes to class, he needs to have his homework ready. NOT • When a student comes to class, you need to have your homework ready.
Which sentence is correct? • Before a student turns in a final draft, you need to proofread the paper. • Before a student turns in a final draft, she needs to proofread the paper.
Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun. • Do not be vague or ambiguous. • Although the student was late for class and lost his homework, it did not hurt his grade. • Does “it” refer to being tardy or losing the homework? • All of the students in this class have at least two siblings. They are good people. • Does “they” refer to the students or their siblings?
What made Howard angry? • Bonnie called Howard yesterday to explain why she did not come to the party. This made Howard very angry. • What made Howard angry? • Bonnie called • Bonnie called yesterday • Bonnie did not come to the party
Work Cited • The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web. 24 October 2011.