Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know about Pronouns

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Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know about
Pronouns

• Erin Pinkerton

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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

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Work Cited

• The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web.
  24 October 2011.