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UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT. From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon. RULE #1.

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UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

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  1. UWF WRITING LABRULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon Created by April Turner

  2. RULE #1 • Every pronoun must have a clear and conspicuous antecedent (word to which it refers). The antecedent must be a single noun, not an entire sentence or idea. Therefore, do not use the pronouns it, which, that, and this to refer to an entire sentence.

  3. RULE #1 Examples • UNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. • CLEAR:Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. • UNCLEAR: In the President’s speech, he said Americans need better health care insurance. • CLEAR:In his speech, the President said Americans need better health care insurance. • UNCLEAR: In my senior seminar, you have to write three research papers. • CLEAR:In my senior seminar, students have to write three research papers.

  4. RULE #1 Examples, cont. • UNCLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in it. • CLEAR:My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in teaching. • UNCLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, which is frustrating. • CLEAR:Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a situation which is frustrating. • UNCLEAR: Javier wrote to his brother when he was away at college. • CLEAR: When Javier was away at college, he wrote to his brother. • UNCLEAR: At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. • CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a writing test.

  5. RULE #2 • 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. And--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.

  6. RULE #2 Examples • The prosecuting attorney presented his case. • Each witness gave his or her testimony. • Judge Judy made her decision. • The jurors gave their verdict. • The court made its decision. • Every journalist wrote his or her story.

  7. Let’s Practice!!! • Any student wishing to add a new course after January 10 must file a petition with (his or her, your, their) advisor. • HIS or HER • The college plans a variety of entertainment and instruction so that (its, it’s, their) graduates can keep abreast of modern education. • ITS • Carlos’s interest in horseback riding stems from the fact that his grandparents raise them. • …RAISE HORSES.

  8. Let’s Practice a Little More!!! • Mumps is an unpredictable disease; some of the family contracted them, and others did not. • …CONTRACTED IT… • Does either of the applicants for the job have their degree in marketing? • …HAVE HIS OR HER DEGREE… • The economists forecast a rise in production; this was certainly encouraging to all of us looking for jobs. • THIS FORECAST WAS… • In this chapter, it states that a theme should have a thesis statement. • …THE AUTHOR STATES…

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