Thursday, May 24, 2012

MSQ Grammar Lesson #9: Pronoun

Pronoun Reference/Agreement
  1. Search for the noun that the pronoun replaces.
  2. If you can't find any noun, insert one beforehand or change the pronoun to a noun.
  3. If you can find a noun, be sure it agrees in number and person with your pronoun.

Compound Subject
  1. Incorrect: Lauren and her went to the principal’s office.
  2. Correct: Lauren and she went to the principal’s office.

Compound Object
  1. Incorrect: I told Matt and he they should get along better.
  2. Correct: I told Matt and him they should get along better.

Antecedent Singular/Plural, Pronoun Must Be Also
  1. Incorrect: Any participant running in the marathon should bring their shoes.
  2. Correct (Option 1): Any participant running in the marathon should bring his or her shoes.
  3. Correct (Option 2): Participants running in the marathon should bring their shoes.

Antecedent 1st/2nd/3rd Person, Pronoun Also
  1. Incorrect: If people eat too much, you get sick.
  2. Correct: If people eat too much, they get sick.

“One” Is A 3rd Person Noun But Writers Use One And You Together, While “You” Is 2nd Person Pronoun
  1. Incorrect: If one eats too much, you get sick.
  2. Correct (Option 1): If one eats too much, one gets sick.
  3. Correct (Option 2): If one eats too much, he or she gets sick.
  4. Correct (Option 3): If you eat too much, you get sick.

Clear antecedent & pronoun usage
  1. Unclear: Rachel went running with Melanie, and she beat her time by five minutes.
  2. Clear: Rachel went running with Melanie and beat Melanie’s time by five minutes.
  1. Unclear: My mother, sister, and I go to the Mother’s Day brunch every year. She really enjoys spending time with us.
  2. Clear: My mother, sister, and I go to the Mother’s Day brunch every year. My mother really enjoys spending time with us.

 

Sources: Rutgers Guide to Grammar and Style; Elements of Style; OWL

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