Pronoun Agreement

1
Pronoun Agreement

• When it comes to pronouns,
• everyone has their own problems.

Or whats wrong with their?
2
Review of pronoun agreement

• Many errors in pronoun agreement occur with
  singular/ plural mismatches.
• Sadie went to the post office, but they were/ it
  was already closed.
• Errors in pronoun reference occur due to unclear
  reference
• Ed called the computer repair store when it /
  his computer wouldnt turn on.

• Pronouns agree when the writer matches pronouns
  to the words they refer to.
• Pronouns must match referents in three areas
• Number singular or plural
• Gender male or female
• Person first, second, or third

3
Matching singular referents

• Each and his are correct, singular matches.
• Each is singular, but their is plural it is
  a mismatch!
• This revision using different in place of a
  pronoun is also a correct usage.

• Each student has his own way of studying.
• Each student has their own ways of studying.
• Each student has different ways of studying.

Is this the way it now is?
4
What about pronouns and gender?

• Pronoun-antecedent agreement can create gender
  problems.
• Which alternate creates gender conflict?
• A student must see his advisor.
• A student must see his or her advisor.
• Students must see their advisors.

• Which are correct?
• Sara went to the post office, but they were
  already closed.
• Sarah went to the post office, but it was already
  closed.
• Rick ate the cookies although it wasnt good for
  him.
• Rick ate the cookies although they werent good
  for him.

5
Make pronouns agree with antecedents!

• Pronoun-antecedent agreement can create gender
  problems.
• Which alternate best avoids gender conflict?
• A student must see his advisor.
• A student must see his or her advisor.
• Students must see their advisors.

• Which are correct?
• Sara went to the post office, but they were
  already closed.
• Sarah went to the post office, but it was already
  closed.
• Rick ate the cookies although it wasnt good for
  him.
• Rick ate the cookies although they werent good
  for him.

The plural option is best.
6
Can you avoid pronoun shifts?

• If you are writing in the "first person" ( I),
  don't confuse your reader by switching to the
  "second person" ( you) or "third person" (he,
  she, they, it, etc.).
• Similarly, if you are using the "second person,"
  don't switch to "first" or "third."

• Which one is correct?
• When a person comes to class, you should have
  your homework ready.
• When a person comes to class, she should have
  your homework ready.
• When a person comes to class, she should have her
  homework ready.

7
You can avoid pronoun shifts

• Avoid sloppy pronoun use. The last one is right
• When a person comes to class, you should have
  your homework ready.
• When a person comes to class, she should have
  your homework ready.
• When a person comes to class, she should have her
  homework ready.

How helpful is the news about the flu and you?
8
Can you avoid vague pronoun use?

• 5. Using cell phones causes auto accidents.
• People using cell phones, it causes car
  accidents.
• Driving while you are talking on the cell phone
  should be illegal.
• Driving while talking on a cell phone should be
  illegal.

• Although the motorcycle hit the tree, they were
  not damaged.
• Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not
  damaged.
• They shouldnt show violence on TV.
• TV violence shouldnt be shown.

Which alternate makes more sense?
9
You can avoid vague pronoun use

• 5. Using cell phones causes auto accidents.
• People using cell phones, it causes car
  accidents.
• Driving while you are talking on the cell phone
  should be illegal.
• Driving while talking on a cell phone should be
  illegal.

• Although the motorcycle hit the tree, the bike
  was not damaged.
• Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not
  damaged.
• They shouldnt show violence on TV.
• TV violence shouldnt be shown.

10
Can you avoid vague pronoun use?

• Can you edit these pronoun errors?
• I dont agree, but everyone is entitled to their
  opinion.
• If one of the librarians isnt busy, maybe they
  can help.
• Few of the students finished her test on time.
• No one has received their grades from the last
  term.
• Someone messaged you but didnt leave their name.

How well fed is the kid?
11
You can avoid unclear pronoun use

• Here are the answers
• Everyone is entitled to their/an opinion.
• If one of the librarians isnt too busy, maybe
  their/she can help.
• Few students finished her/their test on time.
• No one received their/her grade from the last
  term.
• Someone messaged you but didnt leave their/a
  name.

12
Can you fit pronoun to antecedent?

• A pronoun must have an antecedent
• When I went to the bank to cash my check, she
  asked for two forms of identification.
• John applied for the scholarship, but they said
  he didnt meet the requirements.
• Joni went to the store, but her friend had
  already picked it up.

13
Can you improve on this and which?

• The pronouns this and which are often
  unclear.
• When you write this in a sentence, ask This
  what?
• Many students are text messaging in class. This
  is not helping them.
• Summer term is shorter, this means that classes
  move at a faster pace.
• The college has reduced parking spaces, which has
  angered many students.

Can Brother Blotz understand what this is?
14
You can improve on this and which

• Clarify this by adding an explaining word
• Many students are text messaging in class. This
  situation is not helping them.
• Summer term is shorter, this fact means that
  classes move at a faster pace.
• The college has reduced parking spaces this
  problem has angered many students.

Is this situation better?
15
Have you over-used which?

• The connector which is often overused
• Many students are text messaging in class, which
  is not helping them.
• Summer term is shorter, which means that classes
  move at a faster pace.
• Surging gas prices, which has angered many
  students.

Can you differentiate the pro from the con?
16
What about shifting point of view?

• Can you fix pronoun errors?
• Leon does not like to check book out of the
  library because you have to return them after
  just two weeks.
• The many simply marvelous members of the advanced
  class need to get together to study our notes.
• Maxine drinks fruit juice every morning because
  it is so good for everyone.

Just who is this you?
17
Do you really need to use this?

• Which option is a run-on and which one is really
  correct?
• This is why the Guard should stay here because we
  need them for disasters.
• The Guard should stay here because we need them
  for disaster relief.

Why the line up?
18
Do we really need to use this?

• Which option is correct?
• __1. Although the National Guard is
  underprepared, this/it/
• they can still help in some disasters.
• __2. This/it/there were a few Guards in New
  Orleans, but not enough.
• __3. People should have left before the hurricane
  hit this/it/they forced risky rescue efforts.

19
You must watch your pronouns!

• One option is correct
• __1. Although the National Guard is
  underprepared, this/it/
• they can still help in some disasters.
• __2. This/it/there were a few Guards in New
  Orleans, but not enough.
• __3. People should have left before the hurricane
  hit this/it/they forced risky rescue efforts.

20
What about shifting point of view?

• Which pronouns are right?
• Leon doesnt like to check books out of the
  library as you/he has to return them/it in just
  two weeks.
• The class members need to get together to study
  our/its/their notes.
• Maxine drinks pineapple juice first thing every
  morning because they/it is very good for you/her.

21
What about shifting point of view?

• One pronouns is right
• Leon doesnt like to check books out of the
  library as you/he has to return them/it in just
  two weeks.
• The class members need to get together to study
  our/its/their notes.
• Maxine drinks pineapple juice first thing every
  morning because they/it is very good for you/her.

22
Can you avoid weak pronoun use?

• Brian watched the giraffe you could sense the
  animals contentment.
• Neither babysitter was sure that they could work
  Saturday.
• The pups at the sale had not had its shots.
• Each of the vying presidential candidates said
  they enjoyed working with people.

• Someone left their car door open.
• Connie sits near the door because you are the
  first one to leave.
• Everyone has their own way to cope with losses.
• Kim navigated the internet while her daughter
  instructed this amused Kims husband.

23
You can avoid weak pronoun use!

• Brian watched the giraffe he could sense the
  animals contentment.
• Neither babysitter was sure that she could work
  Saturday.
• The pups at the sale hadnt had their shots.
• Each of the vying presidential candidates said he
  enjoyed working with people.

• Someone left his car door open.
• Connie sits near the door because she is the
  first one to leave.
• Everyone has his own way to cope with losses.
• Kim navigated the internet while her daughter
  instructed this situation amused Kims husband.

24
Can you avoid weak pronoun use?

• They is more than one way to get the job done.
• Hit is Sidney who manages the second shift at the
  mill.
• Ever one who saw the carpet knew that it was
  flawed.
• When the police came, the man __ is in the house
  refused to open the door.

• Billy knew you all was comin Friday week, even
  if yall didnt.
• Annie reckoned that youuns knew her, but ye
  actually didnt.
• The gang of Murrays helped theirselves to the
  pickup by the road.
• Mack got hisn twelve gauge shotgun out of the
  Outdoors catalog.

25
You can avoid weak pronoun use!

• Therey is more than one way to get the job done.
• HIt is Sidney who manages the second shift at the
  mill.
• Everyone who saw the carpet knew that it was
  flawed.
• When the police came, the man who is in the house
  refused to open the door.

• Billy knew you all was comin Friday week, even
  if yall didnt.
• Annie reckoned that youuns knew her, but ye
  actually didnt.
• The gang of Murrays helped themirselves to the
  pickup by the road.
• Mack got hisn twelve gauge shotgun out of the
  Outdoors catalog.

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