PronounsCommon errors with pronoun usage

What is a pronoun? Pronouns are word that substitute for nouns. Often, a pronoun refers to an antecedent in the sentence. An antecedent is a word that comes before the pronoun in the sentence; however,

not necessarily directly before.

The boy (antecedent) left his (pronoun) favorite toy car on the bus this afternoon.

4 Pronoun problems Pronoun-antecedent agreement (singular vs.

plural)

Pronoun reference (clarity)

Pronoun case (personal pronoun such a I vs. me, she vs. her)

Pronoun case (who vs. whom)

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun and its antecedent always agree when they are both singular or both plural• SINGULAR

(antecedent) (pronoun)

The teacher finished her lesson plans early on Tuesday. •“Teacher” and “her” are both singular and match one another appropriately

• PLURAL (antecedent) (pronoun)

The teachers lined up their kids when recess was over. •“Teachers” and “their” are both plural and match one another appropriately

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, anybody, or nobody are treated as singular and should take the singular pronouns of “he or she” not “their”

Pronoun-antecedent agreement Generic nouns such as student, runner, lawyer are

treated as singular.

Collective nouns such as jury, committee, audience, class are treated as singular when spoken about as a unit, and plural when spoken about as the individuals in the group. • As a unit: The planning committee granted its permission to

build.• As individuals: The committee put their signatures on the

document.

Compound antecedents joined by and are treated as plural; compound antecedents joined by or are treated as singular• Julia and Nathan moved to the mountains, where they built a

log cabin. • Either Mark or Aaron should receive first prize for his

sculpture.

Pronoun reference A pronoun should clearly refer to an antecedent. If it is

unclear, the pronoun will be ambiguous, implied, vague, or indefinite.

Ambiguous• Pronoun could refer to two or more antecedents

• Ambiguous: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, it broke.

• Unambiguous: When Gloria set it on the glass-topped table, the pitcher broke.

Implied• Pronoun cannot refer to an implied antecedent; it must

be present in the sentence• Incorrect: After braiding Anna’s hair, Sue decorate them

with ribbons. • Correct: After braiding Anna’s hair, Sue decorated the

braids with ribbons.

Pronoun reference

Vague and Indefinite• Specific antecedents should be referenced, not

whole ideas or indefinite persons not specifically mentioned

• Incorrect: In large cities, we are finding ourselves victims of serious crimes. We learn to accept this with minor complaints.

• Correct: In large cities, we are finding ourselves victims of serious crimes. We learn to accept this fate with minor complaints.

Pronoun case Always identify which case a pronoun falls

under in order to use it properly: subjective, objective, or possessive

Subjective case: functions as a subject or subject complement (I, we, you, he/she/it, they).

Objective case: functions as a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition (me, us, you, him/her/it, them).

Possessive case: modifies a gerund (verb form ending –ing that functions as a noun) or a gerund phrase (me, our, your, his/her/its, their)

Who vs. whom The similarities:

Relative pronouns used to introduce subordinate clauses (clauses that have a subject and a verb cannot stand alone)

Interrogative pronouns used to open questions

The differences: Who can be used only for subjects and subject

complements Whom can be used only for objects

Who vs. Whom relative pronouns

The case of a relative pronoun is determined by its function within the subordinate clause

Hint: Find the verb of the clause to discover the function. If the pronoun is performing the action of the verb, use who. If the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb or is functioning as the object of as preposition, use whom.

• When medicine is scarce and expensive, physicians must give it to whoever has the best chance of surviving. • Whoever is the subject of the verb has

• The tutor whom I was assigned to was very supportive. • Whom is the object of the preposition to

Who vs. whominterrogative pronouns The case of an interrogative pronoun is

determine by its function within the question. • Who is responsible for this mess on the kitchen

floor? • Who is the subject of the verb is

• Whom did the committee select as interim president of the school board? • Whom is the direct object of the verb did select• Hint: Reword the sentence to discover the direct

object: The committee did select whom as the interim president of the school board?