How to use pronouns

1. How to use pronouns …or, they’re all that!

2. List of Common Pronouns • Personal Pronouns: I, me, us, we, it, he, she, they, them, him, her, one, you, y’all (you all) • Possessive Pronouns: her, hers, his, its, mine, our, ours, their, theirs, your , yours, whose • Others: who, whom, which, that, everybody, anybody, anyone, each, either, neither, nobody, someone, somebody

3. Pronouns must agree in number • Singular nouns are replaced with singular pronouns • EX: If an athlete wants to succeed, he or she must practice daily • NOT “…they must practice daily.” • EX: If one wants to be healthy, one should eat nutritious foods. • NOT “…they should eat nutritious foods.” • EX: If a politician wants to be re-elected, _______ must not insult too many people he or she

4. Pronouns must agree in number • Everybody, anybody, anyone, each, either, neither, nobody, someone, somebody, etc are replaced with singular pronouns • EX: Somebody should have taken his or her shower today. • NOT “…taken their shower.” • EX: Neither of the boys remembered his art supplies. • NOT “…their art supplies.” • EX: Did everyone bring _________ raincoat? his or her

5. Pronouns must agree in number • If you use a plural noun, you may use “they” as the pronoun. • EX: People ought to mind their manners. • NOT “…his or her manners” • EX: The newlyweds had their luggage confiscated at the airport. • NOT “…his or her luggage…” • EX: The wolves in the pack raised ________ voices in a prolonged howl. their

6. Pronouns must agree in number • If you use an obvious gender reference, you may use a gender specific pronoun. • EX: Mr. Universe refused to pose in his bikini. • NOT “…his or her bikini” • EX: The boy’s mother packed his lunch. • NOT “…his or her lunch…” • EX: A mama grizzly bear will ferociously defend _________ cubs. her

7. Pronouns must agree in person • Stick with the point of view from which you are writing. • EX: If at first a person doesn’t succeed, he or she should try again. • NOT: “…succeed, I should” or “…succeed, you should.” • EX: When I tell you something, I mean what I say. • NOT: “…something, he means what he says.” • EX: If a man wants to get to know a girl, _________ should not seem too desperate. he

8. Pronouns must refer to a specific noun • There must be no doubt as to which noun the pronoun is referring • EX: Although the trophy hit the hardwood floor, it was not damaged. • What was not damaged? The floor or the trophy? • Try: “The floor was not damaged when it was hit by the falling trophy.” • EX: They shouldn’t let students dress that way. • Who are “they”? • Try: The administration shouldn’t let students dress that way.

9. Pronouns must refer to a specific noun • There must be no doubt as to which noun the pronoun is referring • EX: We have two weeks off for Christmas, which is fun. • What is fun? Christmas or having two weeks off? • Try: • EX: When Maria told the mob about Jane’s activities, she was executed. • Who was executed, Maria for telling the mob or Jane for her activities? • Try: “When Maria told the mob about Jane’s activities, Jane was executed.” “Our Christmas break, which is two weeks long, is fun.”