PEL 101 COMMUNICATION SKILLSI LECTURE22 WEEK11 Pronoun Reference

PEL 101 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS-I LECTURE-22 WEEK-11 Pronoun Reference Designed by – Anudeep Bedi, 13654 and Nitin Bibra, 12448

Pronoun • The part of speech that substitutes for nouns or noun phrases and designates persons or things asked for – It can take the place of a subject word • (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) – It can take the place of an object word • (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) – It can take the place of a possessive word • (my, mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs)

What does reference mean? • When you refer to something, you point to something specific. • A reference is a way of pointing out a connection or relationship between two things. • If your references are unclear, your readers and listeners can’t make connections.

Pronouns and antecedents • A pronoun stands for, or refers to, another word or word group, called the antecedent. Example-Steven wanted to visit the museum, but it had closed for the day.

Pronouns and antecedents • Generally, the meaning of a pronoun is clear only when the reader knows to which word or word group the pronoun refers • Amy promised Jim she would help him clean the kitchen. • The meaning of she is clear because we know she refers to Amy. • The meaning of him is clear because we know him refers to Jim.

Pronouns and antecedents A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent. A pronoun reference is sometimes unclear because the pronoun and its antecedent do not agree—in number, gender, person, or case. Unclear Clear Eli is always thinking about computers. It seems to be his only interest. Eli is always thinking about computers. They seem to be his only interest. Eli is always thinking about his computer. It seems to be his only interest.

Pronouns and antecedents • The noun that a pronoun stands for • Savanna purchased an airline ticket, and now she can’t find it. – “Savanna” is the antecedent for “she. ” – “airline ticket” is the antecedent for “it. ”

Number Examples • Savanna purchased an airline ticket, and now she can’t find it. – Savanna is singular; the pronoun she is also singular. – Airline ticket is singular; the pronoun it is also singular. • Airline passengers must show their photo-identification cards to the ticket agent. – Airline passengers is plural; the pronoun their is also plural.

Gender Examples • Each passenger is responsible for getting his or her passport. – Each passenger is a singular genderless antecedent, so the singular pronoun his or her is preferred usage. • The university has changed its recommendations for the new parking lot facility. – University is a singular neuter antecedent, so the singular neuter pronoun its is used.

Person Examples. Incorrect: When a person turns thirty, your perspective on life changes in many ways. (The first half of the sentence is written in third person, while the second half is in second person. ) Correct: When a person turns thirty, his or her perspective on life changes in many ways. (The entire sentence is written in third person. )

Some Tips to Keep in Mind WHO and WHOM refer to PEOPLE WHICH refers to PLACES and THINGS WHERE refers to PLACES THAT refers to any of the above and anonymous groups The novels that are on my book club’s reading list are all bestsellers. WHOSE refers to PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGS The book whose pages are torn is an antique. . HISSELF, THEYSELF, THEIRSELF, and THEIRSELVES are NOT words! POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS DO NOT REQUIRE APOSTROPHES: his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs 14

RULE #1 n Every pronoun must have a clear and conspicuous antecedent (word to which it refers). The antecedent must be a single noun, not an entire sentence or idea. Therefore, do not use the pronouns it, which, that, and this to refer to an entire sentence. 15

Watch for “it”! n INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. It doesn’t surprise me. n CORRECT Our contractor’s being skeptical about solar energy doesn’t surprise me. OR I am not surprised that our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. 16

Watch for “this”! n INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. This doesn’t surprise me. n CORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. This attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR n His attitude doesn’t surprise me. 17

Watch for “that”! n INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. That doesn’t surprise me. n CORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. That attitude doesn’t surprise me. OR n His attitude doesn’t surprise me. 18

Watch for “which”! n INCORRECT Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, which doesn’t surprise me. n CORRECT Our contractor’s skepticism about solar energy doesn’t surprise me. OR n Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, a fact which doesn’t surprise me. 19

RULE #1 Examples n UNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer. n CLEAR: Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. n UNCLEAR: In the President’s speech, he said Americans need better health care insurance. n CLEAR: In his speech, the President said Americans need better health care insurance. . 20

RULE #1 Examples, cont. n UNCLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in it. n CLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but I’m not interested in teaching. n UNCLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, which is frustrating. n CLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a situation which is frustrating. . n UNCLEAR: At this university, they require students to pass a writing test. n CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a writing test. 21

RULE #2 n Every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular too; Use masculine, feminine, or neuter pronouns (it or its) to match the masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents. 22

Dual gender/singular antecedent n INCORRECT Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing their job. n CORRECT Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing his or her job. 23

Pronouns ending with body, thing, etc. are singular. Every, no , some, any } body, one, thing Use singular pronouns with the above antecedents. Use his or her since the gender could be masculine or feminine. 24

Singular Indefinite Pronouns continued n INCORRECT When someone has been drinking, they are more likely to speed. n CORRECT When someone has been drinking, he or she is more likely to speed. When drivers have been drinking, they are more likely to speed. n Someone who has been drinking is more likely to speed than someone who has not. 25

Generic/singular antecedents n INCORRECT Every taxpayer must pay their taxes. A student must study hard if they want to succeed. n CORRECT Every taxpayer must pay his or her taxes. A student must study hard if he or she wants to succeed. 26

Genderless antecedents – collective nouns n INCORRECT The team has never won on their home court. The jury has reached their decision. n CORRECT The team has never won on its home court. The jury has reached its decision. 27

The Problems • When a pronoun refers to either of two antecedents Incorrect: Liz doesn’t enjoy playing chess with Angie because she is a much better player. Correct: Liz doesn’t enjoy playing chess with Angie, who is a much better player. OR Liz, who is a much better player than Angie, doesn’t enjoy playing chess with her.

The Problems • When a pronoun refers to either of two antecedents Incorrect: Elise’s mother was beaming with pride when she graduated from college with honors. Correct: When Elise graduated from college with honors, her mother was beaming with pride.

The Problems • When nonstandard pronouns replace standard English pronouns Incorrect: Before the students go to Japan, they will need to renew their passports theirselves. Correct: Before the students go to Japan, they will need to renew their passports themselves. – Nonstandard Pronouns – hisself, theyself, themself, theirselves – Correct Pronouns – himself, themselves

The Problems • When the antecedent is an indefinite singular, genderless pronoun Incorrect and Outdated: Everyone gave his version of the incident. Correct: Everyone gave his or her version of the incident. Correct: All of them gave their version of the incident.

The Problems • When the antecedent is a genderless noun Incorrect and Outdated: A lawyer represents his clients. Correct: A lawyer represents his or her clients. Incorrect: Every employee has the combination to their private locker. Correct: Every employee has the combination to his or her private locker.

The Problems • When the antecedent is a collective noun Incorrect: The choir decided that they would sing gospel music. Correct: The choir decided that it would sing gospel music. Incorrect: The soccer team will play their first game after Labor Day. Correct: The soccer team will play its first game after Labor Day.

The Problems • When the pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular Incorrect : Congress must explain their reason for rejecting the President’s proposal. Correct: Congress must explain its reason for rejecting the President’s proposal.

The Problems • When the antecedent is plural and the pronoun is singular Incorrect : Nancy and Andrea agree on many of her principles. Correct: Nancy and Andrea agree on many of their principles. Incorrect: Gumbo and jambalaya are the most common dishes in New Orleans, and it is served in huge portions. Correct: Gumbo and jambalaya are the most common dishes in New Orleans, and they are served in huge portions.

SUMMARY q. A Pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. q. An antecedent is the word to which the pronoun refers q. An antecedent should appear in the same sentence as its pronoun (or in the sentence immediately preceding the pronoun.

SUMMARY q A Pronoun should agree with its antecedent. They should agree in terms of gender and in terms of how many persons or things are involved. q Some indefinite pronouns – such as everyone, everything, somebody and anyone – are especially likely to be involved in agreement errors q They seem to be plural but actually they are singular.

SUMMARY q. Avoid creating an agreement error when attempting to avoid outdated language. By using a plural pronoun such as they, them, or their along with a plural antecedent, you can avoid this.