Language Network Using Pronouns Using Pronouns Pronoun Cases

Language Network Using Pronouns

Using Pronouns Pronoun Cases Here’s the Idea Why It Matters

Here’s the Idea Personal pronouns take on different forms depending on how they are used in sentences. These forms are called cases.

Here’s the Idea There are three pronoun cases: nominative case objective case possessive case

Here’s the Idea The most common errors in writing concern pronouns. Be sure to check your writing for pronoun errors and correct any you find.

Using Pronouns Using Who and Whom Here’s the Idea Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea The case of the pronoun who is determined by the pronoun’s function in a sentence. Forms of Who and Whoever Nominative who, whoever Objective whom, whomever Possessive whose, whosever

Here’s the Idea Who is the nominative form. In a question, who is used as a subject or as a predicate pronoun.

Here’s the Idea Who knows the story of Mulan, a SUBJECT heroine of ancient China? The heroine was who? PREDICATE PRONOUN

Here’s the Idea Whom is the objective form. In a question, whom is used as a direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition.

Here’s the Idea Whom did Mulan fool? DIRECT OBJECT INDIRECT OBJECT She told whom the secret of her identity?

Here’s the Idea Who and whom are also used to introduce subordinate clauses. To choose the correct form, you must figure out how the pronoun is used in the clause.

Here’s the Idea Who should be used when the pronoun functions as the subject of a subordinate clause. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE It’s the rebel chief who is threatening the borders. SUBJECT

Here’s the Idea Whom should be used when the pronoun functions as a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of a preposition. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE The chief whom we all fear most is a rebel. DIRECT OBJECT

Why It Matters You will be expected to use who and whom correctly in formal writing, such as application letters, term papers, and reports. Don’t assume that whom is just a more formal version of who. Choose the form that fits the way the pronoun is used.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 1. The Ramayana was written by the poet Valmiki, (who, whom) lived in India during the 200 s B. C.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 2. The king, (who, whom) is Rama’s father, makes Rama leave the country.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 3. Sita is the beautiful woman (who, whom) Rama marries.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 4. The Ramayana is delightful for (whoever, whomever) hears it.

Using Pronouns Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Here’s the Idea Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. An antecedent is the word—a noun or another pronoun —that a pronoun replaces or refers to.

Here’s the Idea Most of the time, making a pronoun agree in number with its antecedent is easy: a plural antecedent takes a plural pronoun, and a singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun.

Here’s the Idea The gender of a pronoun must be the same as the gender of its antecedent. Hanuman, the monkey chief, brings his troops to the battle.

Here’s the Idea Pronoun Gender Feminine Masculine Neuter she, hers he, him, his it, its

Here’s the Idea The person of a pronoun must match the person of its antecedent. All you fans should buy your tickets for the latest Rama movie.

Why It Matters Using the correct pronoun when a collective noun is the antecedent will give your readers information about whether the group is behaving as one unit or as individuals. The family gives its support to Rama.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 5. Ellis Marsalis, a musician, shared a love of jazz with (his, their) children.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 6. Like (his, their) father, Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason Marsalis are jazz musicians.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 7. These musicians understood that (they, you) had to work hard to succeed.

Practice and Apply Choose the correct pronoun from the pair in parentheses. 8. New Orleans, a city famous for (their, its) jazz, is the Marsalis’s hometown.

Using Pronouns Pronoun Reference Here’s the Idea Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea If a pronoun’s antecedent is unclear, or if there is more than one antecedent, readers will be confused.

Here’s the Idea Indefinite-reference problems occur when a pronoun’s antecedents are not expressed. Writers often make the mistake of using the pronouns it, they, and you without a clear reference.

Here’s the Idea Indefinite Reference Awkward Revised In the “Superheroes” article, it discussed only three women. The “Superheroes” article discussed only three women.

Here’s the Idea General-reference problems occur when the pronouns it, this, that, which, and such are used to refer to general ideas rather than to specific noun antecedents.

Here’s the Idea General Reference Awkward Revised The sidekick is weak and vulnerable, which makes the character appealing. The sidekick’s weakness and vulnerability make the character appealing.

Here’s the Idea Ambiguous means “having more than one possible meaning. ” An ambiguous-reference problem occurs whenever more than one word might be a pronoun’s antecedent.

Here’s the Idea Ambiguous Reference Awkward Revised Princess Xena and Gabrielle were featured in a 1990 s TV show. She inspired a series of books as well. Princess Xena and Gabrielle were featured in a 1990 s TV show. Xena inspired a series of books as well.

Why It Matters Readers will be confused and frustrated by cases of general, indefinite, or ambiguous reference in your writing. Make your writing as clear as possible by eliminating these problems.

Practice and Apply Rewrite the sentence to correct indefinite, ambiguous, or general pronoun references. 9. In this article, it explains that Reggae Sunsplash is a music festival in Jamaica.

Practice and Apply Rewrite the sentence to correct indefinite, ambiguous, or general pronoun references. 10. They say that the festival now tours Europe and the United States.

Practice and Apply Rewrite the sentence to correct indefinite, ambiguous, or general pronoun references. 11. Music is important at the festival, but you also have Jamaican crafts and food.

Practice and Apply Rewrite the sentence to correct indefinite, ambiguous, or general pronoun references. 12. When the band began playing for the fans, they started dancing.