pronoun- antecedent agreement brought to you by grammar bytes!, ©2014 by robin l. simmons (with a...

PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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What is a pronoun?What is a pronoun?

A A pronounpronoun stands in for a noun. The stands in for a noun. The noun that it stands in for is called an noun that it stands in for is called an antecedentantecedent. (ante=. (ante=beforebefore; the ; the antecedent is the noun that comes antecedent is the noun that comes beforebefore the pronoun) the pronoun)

AlonzoAlonzo enjoys enjoys espressoespresso..

HeHe enjoys enjoys itit..

Why are pronouns Why are pronouns important?important?

>Read the sample paragraph on pp. >Read the sample paragraph on pp. 421-22 of your textbook.421-22 of your textbook.

>Then, read the >Then, read the secondsecond sample sample paragraph that follows it (see middle of paragraph that follows it (see middle of p. 422).p. 422).

✓✓What is the difference between the What is the difference between the two paragraphs? Which is more two paragraphs? Which is more effective and why?effective and why?

Pronoun AgreementPronoun AgreementPronoun AgreementPronoun Agreement

Everyone should know

their pronouns?


their pronouns?

Or his or her pronouns?

Or his or her pronouns?

Hint: Remember rules of Hint: Remember rules of subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.Hint: Remember rules of Hint: Remember rules of subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.

Everyone know/knows pronouns.

Everyone know/knows pronouns.

Everyone knows

pronouns.

Everyone knows

pronouns.

“Everyone” is singular, so it takes a singular verb AND …

Hint: Remember rules of Hint: Remember rules of subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.Hint: Remember rules of Hint: Remember rules of subject-verb agreement.subject-verb agreement.


his or her pronouns.


his or her pronouns.

…a singular pronoun.

This presentation covers maintaining

agreement between a pronoun and its antecedent.

This presentation covers maintaining

agreement between a pronoun and its antecedent.

A pronoun agreement item on A pronoun agreement item on an objective test might look an objective test might look like this like this .. .. ..

A pronoun agreement item on A pronoun agreement item on an objective test might look an objective test might look like this like this .. .. ..

Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item

Spendthrifts are quickly parted from their Spendthrifts are quickly parted from their

money. So a person who wants to start saving money. So a person who wants to start saving

should not spend all of their time at the mall.should not spend all of their time at the mall.

A.A.his or herhis or herB.B.someonesomeoneC.C.hishisD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Spendthrifts are quickly parted from Spendthrifts are quickly parted from theirtheir AAmoney. So money. So a persona person who wants to start saving who wants to start saving BBshould not spend all of should not spend all of theirtheir time at the mall. time at the mall. CC

A.A.his or herhis or herB.B.someonesomeoneC.C.hishisD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Spendthrifts are quickly parted from Spendthrifts are quickly parted from theirtheir AAmoney. So money. So a persona person who wants to start saving who wants to start saving BBshould not spend all of should not spend all of hishis time at the mall.time at the mall. CC

•his or herhis or her•someonesomeone•hishis•No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Is the first their, a person, or the second their a

problem?

Is the first their, a person, or the second their a

problem?

The second their does not agree with a person, an error that choice C fixes.

The second their does not agree with a person, an error that choice C fixes.

Agreement in a NutshellAgreement in a NutshellAgreement in a NutshellAgreement in a Nutshell

TheThe kangarookangaroo carriescarries itsits joey in a pouch.joey in a pouch.

TheThe kangarooskangaroos carry carry theirtheir joeys in pouches.joeys in pouches.

kangarookangaroo = singular antecedent= singular antecedentitsits = singular pronoun= singular pronoun

kangarooskangaroos = plural antecedent= plural antecedenttheirtheir = plural pronoun= plural pronoun

Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.

PluralPlural theythey themthem their, theirstheir, theirs themselvesthemselves

Singular!Singular!

SingularSingular he, she, ithe, she, it him, her, ithim, her, it his, her, hers, his, her, hers,

itsits himself, himself,

herself, itselfherself, itself

Plural!Plural!

Two [or more] singular things joined Two [or more] singular things joined by by andand make a make a pluralplural antecedent.antecedent.Two [or more] singular things joined Two [or more] singular things joined by by andand make a make a pluralplural antecedent.antecedent.

The new puppyThe new puppy andand kitten have destroyedkitten have destroyed theirtheir ownerowner’’s sofa.s sofa.

EachEach new puppynew puppy andand kitten destroykitten destroyss itsits ownerowner’’s sofa.s sofa.

When When eacheach or or everyevery precedes two [or precedes two [or more] singular things joined by more] singular things joined by andand, , you have a you have a singularsingular antecedent. antecedent.

When When eacheach or or everyevery precedes two [or precedes two [or more] singular things joined by more] singular things joined by andand, , you have a you have a singularsingular antecedent. antecedent.

EveryEvery new puppynew puppy andand kitten destroykitten destroyss itsits owneownerr’’s sofa.s sofa.

In this situation, no matter In this situation, no matter how manyhow many singular nouns you join with singular nouns you join with andand, the , the antecedent is antecedent is stillstill singular.singular.

In this situation, no matter In this situation, no matter how manyhow many singular nouns you join with singular nouns you join with andand, the , the antecedent is antecedent is stillstill singular.singular.

EachEach new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula, new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula, python, parrot, turtle, python, parrot, turtle, andand ferret destroyferret destroyss itsits ownerowner’’s sofa.s sofa.

Use caution with these three Use caution with these three conjunctions: conjunctions: either … oreither … or, , neither … neither … nornor, and , and not only … but alsonot only … but also..

Use caution with these three Use caution with these three conjunctions: conjunctions: either … oreither … or, , neither … neither … nornor, and , and not only … but alsonot only … but also..

Not only the Smiths but also Louise fixed Not only the Smiths but also Louise fixed their famous squid eyeball stew for the their famous squid eyeball stew for the picnic.picnic.

You’ll have two antecedents — the Smiths and Louise — but only the

closer one counts!

You’ll have two antecedents — the Smiths and Louise — but only the

closer one counts!

Not only the Smiths but also Louise fixedNot only the Smiths but also Louise fixed her her famous squid eyeball stew for the famous squid eyeball stew for the picnic.picnic.

Not only Louise but also the Not only Louise but also the SmithsSmiths fixed fixed theirtheir famous squid eyeball stew famous squid eyeball stew for the picnic.for the picnic.

If you want to use their, you will need to flip the Smiths and Louise so

that the Smiths are closer to the pronoun.

If you want to use their, you will need to flip the Smiths and Louise so

that the Smiths are closer to the pronoun.

These These indefinite pronounsindefinite pronouns are are always always singularsingular [even when they [even when they seemseem plural]. plural].

These These indefinite pronounsindefinite pronouns are are always always singularsingular [even when they [even when they seemseem plural]. plural].

Each, either, neitherEach, either, neither Anyone, anybody, anything Anyone, anybody, anything Everyone, everybody, everythingEveryone, everybody, everything No one, nobody, nothingNo one, nobody, nothing Someone, somebody, somethingSomeone, somebody, something

Everyone on Earth = more than one person—billions of people, in

fact.The word everyone,

however, is still singular.

Everyone on Earth = more than one person—billions of people, in

fact.The word everyone,

however, is still singular.

Neither of my two brothers show much Neither of my two brothers show much sense when they date women.sense when they date women.

Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.

This sentence might sound right, but it is completely

wrong!

This sentence might sound right, but it is completely

wrong!

Of my two brothers =

prepositional phrase; neither = singular

antecedent.

Of my two brothers =

prepositional phrase; neither = singular

antecedent.

CompanyCompany, , organizationorganization, , departmentdepartment, and , and school namesschool names are are singularsingular..

CompanyCompany, , organizationorganization, , departmentdepartment, and , and school namesschool names are are singularsingular..

One urban legend is that TitoOne urban legend is that Tito’’s Taco Palace s Taco Palace makes their burritos with kangaroo meat.makes their burritos with kangaroo meat.

Did you know that?

Did you know that?

We did not!

We did not!

One urban legend is that TitoOne urban legend is that Tito’’s Taco Palace s Taco Palace makesmakes its its burritos with kangaroo meat.burritos with kangaroo meat.

Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test

Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose ““No change is necessary.No change is necessary.””

Show me what you

know.

Show me what you

know.

Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1

Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to drench their omelets in ketchup.drench their omelets in ketchup.

A.A.hishisB.B.herherC.C.his and herhis and herD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to drench drench theirtheir omelets in ketchup. omelets in ketchup.


Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to Not only my brothers but also Mom loves to drench drench theirtheir omelets in ketchup. omelets in ketchup.



The students and their professor sweated in the The students and their professor sweated in the

hot classroom. Each one of them wondered why hot classroom. Each one of them wondered why

they had decided to commit to summer school.they had decided to commit to summer school.

A.A.his or herhis or herB.B.EveryEveryC.C.shesheD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

The students and The students and theirtheir professor sweated in the professor sweated in the AAhot classroom. hot classroom. EachEach one of them wondered why one of them wondered why BBtheythey had decided to commit to summer school. had decided to commit to summer school. CC


The students and The students and theirtheir professor sweated in the professor sweated in the AAhot classroom. hot classroom. EachEach one of them wondered why one of them wondered why BBsheshe had decided to commit to summer school. had decided to commit to summer school. CC



Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead worm on the dissection tray. They used tweezers worm on the dissection tray. They used tweezers to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.

A.A.HeHeB.B.SheSheC.C.He or sheHe or sheD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead worm on the dissection tray. worm on the dissection tray. TheyThey used tweezers used tweezers to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.


Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead worm on the dissection tray. worm on the dissection tray. TheyThey used tweezers used tweezers to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.



The students have decided to eat at TitoThe students have decided to eat at Tito’’s Taco s Taco

Palace, where they can order the special. Their Palace, where they can order the special. Their

discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and its discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and its

cheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!

A.A.he or shehe or sheB.B.ItsItsC.C.theirtheirD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


Palace, where Palace, where theythey can order the special. can order the special. TheirTheir AA BBdiscount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and itsits CCcheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!

A.A.he or shehe or sheB.B.ItsItsC.C.theirtheirD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


Palace, where Palace, where theythey can order the special. can order the special. ItsIts AA BBdiscount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and itsits CCcheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!

•he or shehe or she•ItsIts•theirtheir•No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


Either of these thick books by respected authors Either of these thick books by respected authors will have the answer to your research question in will have the answer to your research question in their many pages.their many pages.

A.A.hishisB.B.his or herhis or herC.C.itsitsD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Either of these thick books by respected authors Either of these thick books by respected authors will have the answer to your research question in will have the answer to your research question in theirtheir many pages. many pages.


Either of these thick books by respected authors Either of these thick books by respected authors will have the answer to your research question in will have the answer to your research question in theirtheir many pages. many pages.



If everyone stopped to smell the roses, they might If everyone stopped to smell the roses, they might

get stung by bees and have their allergies kick in to get stung by bees and have their allergies kick in to

overdrive!overdrive!

A.A.peoplepeopleB.B.he or shehe or sheC.C.his or herhis or herD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

If If everyoneeveryone stopped to smell the roses, stopped to smell the roses, theythey might might AA BBget stung by bees and have get stung by bees and have theirtheir allergies kick in to allergies kick in to CCoverdrive!overdrive!


If If peoplepeople stopped to smell the roses, stopped to smell the roses, theythey might might AA BBget stung by bees and have get stung by bees and have theirtheir allergies kick in to allergies kick in to CCoverdrive!overdrive!



Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. Their Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. Their hot pink and bright yellow combination really hot pink and bright yellow combination really stands out on the field.stands out on the field.

A.A.ItsItsB.B.HisHisC.C.His and herHis and herD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. TheirTheir hot pink and bright yellow combination really hot pink and bright yellow combination really stands out on the field.stands out on the field.


Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. TheirTheir hot pink and bright yellow combination really hot pink and bright yellow combination really stands out on the field.stands out on the field.



Sam is starving, and his buddies have just ordered Sam is starving, and his buddies have just ordered

their their ““upsizedupsized”” meals. Despite Sam meals. Despite Sam’’s drooling, s drooling,

neither of them will part with their French fries.neither of them will part with their French fries.

A.A.hishisB.B.himhimC.C.hishisD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


theirtheir ““upsizedupsized”” meals. Despite Sam meals. Despite Sam’’s drooling, s drooling, AAneither of neither of themthem will part with will part with theirtheir French fries. French fries. BB CC

•hishis•himhim•hishis•No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


theirtheir ““upsizedupsized”” meals. Despite Sam meals. Despite Sam’’s drooling, s drooling, AAneither of neither of themthem will part with will part with hishis French fries. French fries. BB CC

•hishis•himhim•hishis•No change is necessary.No change is necessary.


Clyde refuses to return to the weight room Clyde refuses to return to the weight room because its staff always pokes fun of his skinny because its staff always pokes fun of his skinny arms and legs.arms and legs.

A.A.theirtheirB.B.hishisC.C.herherD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Clyde refuses to return to the weight room Clyde refuses to return to the weight room because because itsits staff always pokes fun of his skinny staff always pokes fun of his skinny arms and legs.arms and legs.


Clyde refuses to return to the weight room Clyde refuses to return to the weight room because because itsits staff always pokes fun of his skinny staff always pokes fun of his skinny arms and legs.arms and legs.



Everyone should memorize a Shakespeare Everyone should memorize a Shakespeare

monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit

points will help them improve their averages at points will help them improve their averages at

the end of the semester.the end of the semester.

A.A.The studentsThe studentsB.B.him or herhim or herC.C.his or herhis or herD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

EveryoneEveryone should memorize a Shakespeare should memorize a Shakespeare AAmonologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit

points will help points will help themthem improve improve theirtheir averages at averages at BB CCthe end of the semester.the end of the semester.


The studentsThe students should memorize a Shakespeare should memorize a Shakespeare AAmonologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit

points will help points will help themthem improve improve theirtheir averages at averages at BB CCthe end of the semester.the end of the semester.


TRY THESE TRY THESE EXERCISESEXERCISES

>ACTIVITY 12, P. 431 OF TEXTBOOK>ACTIVITY 12, P. 431 OF TEXTBOOK>THE EXERCISES THAT FOLLOW THIS >THE EXERCISES THAT FOLLOW THIS SLIDESLIDE

1.1. Choose the correct pronoun Choose the correct pronoun to to complete this sentence.complete this sentence.

The company laid off all of The company laid off all of __________ __________ employees.employees.

A) themA) them

B) theirB) their’’ss

C) theirC) their

D) none of the aboveD) none of the above

1.1. Choose the correct pronoun Choose the correct pronoun to to complete this sentence.complete this sentence.

The company laid off all of The company laid off all of __________ __________ employees.employees.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) themA) them

B) theirB) their’’ss

C) theirC) their

D) none of the above; the D) none of the above; the correct answer correct answer is is itsits..

2. Choose the correct 2. Choose the correct pronoun to pronoun to complete this complete this sentence.sentence.


The twins decided to wear _______ The twins decided to wear _______ new new shoes out of the store. shoes out of the store.

A) hisA) his

B) theirB) their

C) theirC) their’’ss




The twins decided to wear _______ The twins decided to wear _______ new new shoes out of the store. shoes out of the store.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) hisA) his

B) theirB) their

C) theirC) their’’ss




My brother Juan practiced ______ My brother Juan practiced ______ guitar for guitar for two hours every day. two hours every day.

A) hisA) his

B) itsB) its

C) herC) her




My brother Juan practiced ______ My brother Juan practiced ______ guitar for guitar for two hours every day. two hours every day.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) hisA) his

B) itsB) its

C) herC) her




No one wants to have _______ No one wants to have _______ identity identity stolen. stolen.

A) theirA) their

B) his or herB) his or her

C) itsC) its




No one wants to have _______ No one wants to have _______ identity identity stolen. stolen.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) theirA) their

B) his or herB) his or her

C) itsC) its




Each of the sisters had _______ Each of the sisters had _______ own own bedroom. bedroom.

A) theirA) their

B) herB) her

C) itsC) its




Each of the sisters had _______ Each of the sisters had _______ own own bedroom. bedroom.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) theirA) their

B) herB) her

C) itsC) its




After deliberating for only twenty After deliberating for only twenty minutes, minutes, the jury reached _______ the jury reached _______ verdict. verdict.

A) theirA) their

B) hisB) his

C) itsC) its




After deliberating for only twenty After deliberating for only twenty minutes, minutes, the jury reached _______ the jury reached _______ verdict. verdict.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) theirA) their

B) hisB) his

C) itsC) its




The audience booed when ___ The audience booed when ___ realized that realized that the singer was the singer was tone-deaf and hoarse. tone-deaf and hoarse.

A) itA) it

B) heB) he

C) theyC) they




The audience booed when ___ The audience booed when ___ realized that realized that the singer was the singer was tone-deaf and hoarse. tone-deaf and hoarse.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) itA) it

B) heB) he

C) theyC) they


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