RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 1.

RULES OF THUMB FOR RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE PRONOUN REFERENCE

AND ANTECEDENT AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENTAGREEMENT

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Every man should help his wife with ___ Every man should help his wife with ___ housework.housework.

CHOOSE ONE: CHOOSE ONE: her, his, theirher, his, their

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herher = the “sexist”/politically incorrect response = the “sexist”/politically incorrect responsehishis = the not-so-popular response = the not-so-popular response

theirtheir = the politically correct response = the politically correct response

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THIS CHOICE INVOLVES MAKING A DECISION THIS CHOICE INVOLVES MAKING A DECISION ABOUT PRONOUNS AND THEIR REFERENCES ABOUT PRONOUNS AND THEIR REFERENCES

OR ANTECEDENTS.OR ANTECEDENTS.

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Writers must make these and other pronoun Writers must make these and other pronoun choices in order to eliminate gender-bias pronouns choices in order to eliminate gender-bias pronouns and other “problem pronouns” from their writing.and other “problem pronouns” from their writing.

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PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENTAGREEMENT

This terminology describes a writer’s This terminology describes a writer’s selection of a pronoun in reference to selection of a pronoun in reference to the noun (or pronoun) it replaces.the noun (or pronoun) it replaces.

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If If a student a student is absent, can is absent, can he or she he or she make make itit up? up?

The pronouns The pronouns

““he or she” have anhe or she” have an

antecedent. Theantecedent. The

problem pronoun is “it.”problem pronoun is “it.”

The pronoun “it” has noThe pronoun “it” has no

reference point.reference point.

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Every pronoun needs Every pronoun needs an antecedent – a reference an antecedent – a reference

point.point. HERE ARE TWO PROBLEM PRONOUNS:HERE ARE TWO PROBLEM PRONOUNS: If a student is absent, can he or she If a student is absent, can he or she

make make itit up? up? I was embarrassed about my I was embarrassed about my

grammatical blunder, and grammatical blunder, and itit was all was all over my face.over my face.

Where is the antecedent for these Where is the antecedent for these pronouns?pronouns?

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What is an antecedent?What is an antecedent?

THE THE ANTECEDENTANTECEDENT IS THE NOUN (OR IS THE NOUN (OR ANOTHER PRONOUN) TO WHICH THE ANOTHER PRONOUN) TO WHICH THE PRONOUN REFERS.PRONOUN REFERS.

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SOLVING YOUR SOLVING YOUR ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS

INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENTINCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT

I was embarrassed about my grammatical I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and blunder, and itit was all over my face. was all over my face.

REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun.REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun.

I was embarrassed about my grammatical I was embarrassed about my grammatical blunder, and blunder, and the embarrassmentthe embarrassment was all was all over my face.over my face.

My embarrassment about my grammatical My embarrassment about my grammatical blunder showed all over my face.blunder showed all over my face.

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SOLVING YOUR SOLVING YOUR ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS ANTECEDENT PROBLEMS

INCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENTINCORRECT – NO ANTECEDENT

If a student is absent, can he or she make If a student is absent, can he or she make itit up?up?

REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun.REVISIONS – Remove the problem pronoun.

If a student is absent, can he or she make If a student is absent, can he or she make up the assignment?up the assignment?

If a student is absent, can he or she make If a student is absent, can he or she make up the absence?up the absence?

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““Every pronoun must agree with Every pronoun must agree with theirtheir antecedent.”antecedent.”

ONLY ONE PRONOUN BELOW AGREES WITH ITS ONLY ONE PRONOUN BELOW AGREES WITH ITS ANTECEDENT.ANTECEDENT.

Each of the young ladies has Each of the young ladies has theirtheir own explanation for own explanation for why the team lost. why the team lost.

Every one of the girls brought Every one of the girls brought herher own lunch. own lunch. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has

theirtheir characters well defined. characters well defined. The company built The company built theirtheir reputation by regularly coming reputation by regularly coming

up with innovations that kept up with innovations that kept themthem a step ahead of a step ahead of theirtheir competitors. competitors.

Although everybody has completed the test, no one has Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what been told what theirtheir score is. score is.

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Every pronoun must agree with Every pronoun must agree with itsits antecedent.antecedent.

Each of the young ladies has Each of the young ladies has herher own explanation for own explanation for why the team lost. why the team lost.

Every one of the girls brought Every one of the girls brought herher own lunch. own lunch. Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has Neither the film nor the novel on which it is based has itsits

characters well defined. characters well defined. The company built The company built itsits reputation by regularly coming up reputation by regularly coming up

with innovations that kept with innovations that kept itit a step ahead of a step ahead of itsits competitors. competitors.

Although everybody has completed the test, no one has Although everybody has completed the test, no one has been told what been told what his or herhis or her score is. score is.

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Things to Know Before You Things to Know Before You BeginBegin

How to proofread and edit for Pronoun How to proofread and edit for Pronoun Reference and Antecedent Agreement Reference and Antecedent Agreement Errors: Errors:

Locate all the pronouns.Locate all the pronouns.

Locate the antecedent for each pronoun.Locate the antecedent for each pronoun.

Ensure that every pronoun agrees with Ensure that every pronoun agrees with its its

antecedent.antecedent.

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Pronoun ReferencePronoun Reference

This terminology refers to the use of This terminology refers to the use of a pronoun to refer to someone or a pronoun to refer to someone or something explicitly rather than to something explicitly rather than to an unknown or implied reference.an unknown or implied reference.

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Pronoun Reference ScenarioPronoun Reference Scenario

Customer: I’d like to get Customer: I’d like to get a new key made.a new key made.

Sales Associate: It’s Sales Associate: It’s broken.broken.

Customer (Customer (looking at her looking at her keykey): No, it’s not broken.): No, it’s not broken.

Obviously, the key Obviously, the key machine is broken, but machine is broken, but the pronoun “it” has no the pronoun “it” has no reference point other reference point other than “key.”than “key.”

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Common Pronoun Common Pronoun Reference Mistakes Reference Mistakes

Ambiguous – Ambiguous – pronoun could refer to more than one nounpronoun could refer to more than one noun

The partnership between Hogue and Stith dissolved when The partnership between Hogue and Stith dissolved when hehe retired.retired.

Remote – Remote – the antecedent is too far from the pronoun, the antecedent is too far from the pronoun, making the relationship between the two unclearmaking the relationship between the two unclear

The ultramodern condominiums are located in an area of town The ultramodern condominiums are located in an area of town where there are no streetlights. However, where there are no streetlights. However, theythey are perfectly are perfectly safe. safe.

Implied –Implied – the pronoun refers to an antecedent not explicitly the pronoun refers to an antecedent not explicitly statedstated

Randi thinks flying is the best way to travel though she has Randi thinks flying is the best way to travel though she has never been on never been on oneone..

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Common Pronoun Reference Common Pronoun Reference Mistakes Mistakes

Broad –Broad – use of “which,” “it,” “this,” or “that” to refer to an use of “which,” “it,” “this,” or “that” to refer to an entire sentence or ideaentire sentence or idea

The cost of living went up another two percent, The cost of living went up another two percent, whichwhich caused a caused a serious problem for retired people on a fixed income.serious problem for retired people on a fixed income.

IndefiniteIndefinite – pronoun (usually “it” or “they”) refers to a group – pronoun (usually “it” or “they”) refers to a group or entity not seen or known or entity not seen or known

When I read the actor’s autobiography, When I read the actor’s autobiography, itit made me realize what made me realize what hard work acting is.hard work acting is.

UnexpressedUnexpressed – pronoun stands for noun that is not present – pronoun stands for noun that is not present

The library is a great place to work, but The library is a great place to work, but theythey have to stand up have to stand up often.often.

Irregular use of “you” Irregular use of “you” – unfairly referring to the reader – unfairly referring to the reader

In Uruguay, In Uruguay, youyou can be fined for not voting. can be fined for not voting.

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Some Tips Some Tips to Keep in Mindto Keep in Mind

WHO and WHOM refer to PEOPLEWHO and WHOM refer to PEOPLE

WHICH refers to PLACES and THINGSWHICH refers to PLACES and THINGS

WHERE refers to PLACESWHERE refers to PLACES

THAT refers to any of the above and anonymous groupsTHAT refers to any of the above and anonymous groupsThe The novels that novels that are on my book club’s reading list are all bestsellers.are on my book club’s reading list are all bestsellers.

Ironically, the Ironically, the route that route that will get us there the fastest is straight through a mountain range.will get us there the fastest is straight through a mountain range.

WHOSE refers to PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGSWHOSE refers to PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGSThe The book whose book whose pages are torn is an antique.pages are torn is an antique.

The cucumber The cucumber plants, whose plants, whose leaves were infested by moths and bugs, turned brown.leaves were infested by moths and bugs, turned brown.

HISSELF, THEYSELF, THEIRSELF, and THEIRSELVES are NOT HISSELF, THEYSELF, THEIRSELF, and THEIRSELVES are NOT words!words!

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS DO NOT REQUIRE APOSTROPHES: POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS DO NOT REQUIRE APOSTROPHES: his, his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirshers, its, ours, yours, theirs

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RULE #1RULE #1

Every pronoun must have a clear Every pronoun must have a clear and conspicuous antecedent and conspicuous antecedent (word to which it refers). The (word to which it refers). The antecedent must be a single antecedent must be a single noun, not an entire sentence or noun, not an entire sentence or idea. Therefore, do not use the idea. Therefore, do not use the pronouns pronouns itit, , whichwhich, , thatthat, and , and thisthis to refer to an entire sentence. to refer to an entire sentence.

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Watch for Watch for “it”“it”!!

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. energy. It doesn’t surprise me.It doesn’t surprise me.

REVISEDREVISED

Our contractor’s being skeptical about Our contractor’s being skeptical about solar energy doesn’t surprise me. solar energy doesn’t surprise me.

OR OR I am not surprised that our contractor I am not surprised that our contractor is skeptical about solar energyis skeptical about solar energy. .

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Watch for Watch for “this”“this”!!

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. energy. This doesn’t surprise me.This doesn’t surprise me.

REVISEDREVISED

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. energy. This attitude doesn’t surprise This attitude doesn’t surprise me.me.

OR OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me.His attitude doesn’t surprise me.

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Watch for Watch for “that”“that”!!

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. energy. That doesn’t surprise me.That doesn’t surprise me.

REVISEDREVISED

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy. energy. That attitude doesn’t surprise That attitude doesn’t surprise me.me.

OR OR His attitude doesn’t surprise me.His attitude doesn’t surprise me.

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Watch for Watch for “which”“which”!!

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, energy, whichwhich doesn’t surprise me.doesn’t surprise me.

REVISEDREVISED

Our contractor’s skepticism about solar Our contractor’s skepticism about solar energy doesn’t surprise me.energy doesn’t surprise me.

OR OR Our contractor is skeptical about solar Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, a fact which doesn’t surprise me.energy, a fact which doesn’t surprise me.

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RULE #1 ExamplesRULE #1 Examples

UNCLEAR: ItUNCLEAR: It says in today’s paper that the says in today’s paper that the weather will be warmer.weather will be warmer.

CLEAR:CLEAR: Today’s paper says that the weather will Today’s paper says that the weather will be warmer. be warmer.

UNCLEAR: UNCLEAR: In the President’s speech, In the President’s speech, hehe said said Americans need better health care insurance. Americans need better health care insurance.

CLEAR:CLEAR: In his speech, the President said In his speech, the President said Americans need better health care insurance.Americans need better health care insurance.

UNCLEAR: UNCLEAR: In my senior seminar, In my senior seminar, youyou have to have to write three research papers.write three research papers.

CLEAR:CLEAR: In my senior seminar, students have to In my senior seminar, students have to write three research papers.write three research papers.

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RULE #1 Examples, cont.RULE #1 Examples, cont. UNCLEAR:UNCLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but My husband wants me to become a teacher, but

I’m not interested in I’m not interested in itit.. CLEAR:CLEAR: My husband wants me to become a teacher, but My husband wants me to become a teacher, but

I’m not interested in teaching. I’m not interested in teaching. UNCLEAR: UNCLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, Hannah is not doing well in her physics class,

whichwhich is frustrating. is frustrating. CLEAR:CLEAR: Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a Hannah is not doing well in her physics class, a

situation which is frustrating.situation which is frustrating. UNCLEAR:UNCLEAR: Javier wrote to his brother when Javier wrote to his brother when hehe was away was away

at college. at college. CLEAR:CLEAR: When Javier was away at college, he wrote to his When Javier was away at college, he wrote to his

brother. brother. UNCLEAR: UNCLEAR: At this university, At this university, theythey require students to pass require students to pass

a writing test.a writing test. CLEAR:CLEAR: At this university, students are required to pass a At this university, students are required to pass a

writing test.writing test.

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RULE #2RULE #2

Every pronoun must agree with/match its Every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in number: If the antecedent is antecedent in number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular too; singular, the pronoun must be singular too; if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural too. And--every pronoun must be plural too. And--every pronoun must agree with/match its antecedent in must agree with/match its antecedent in gender: Use masculine, feminine, or neuter gender: Use masculine, feminine, or neuter pronouns pronouns (it(it or or itsits) to match the masculine, ) to match the masculine, feminine, or neuter antecedents.feminine, or neuter antecedents.

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Dual gender/singular Dual gender/singular antecedentantecedent

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Everyone has to complete a Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing questionnaire describing theirtheir job. job.

CORRECTCORRECT

Everyone has to complete a Everyone has to complete a questionnaire describing questionnaire describing his or herhis or her job. job.

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Pronouns ending with Pronouns ending with bodybody, , thingthing, etc. are singular., etc. are singular.

Every, no , some, anyEvery, no , some, any }}body, one, body, one,

thingthing

Use singular pronouns with the above Use singular pronouns with the above antecedents. Use antecedents. Use his or her his or her since the since the gender could be masculine or feminine.gender could be masculine or feminine.

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Singular Indefinite Pronouns Singular Indefinite Pronouns continuedcontinued

INCORRECTINCORRECT

When When someonesomeone has been drinking, has been drinking, theythey are more are more likely to speed. likely to speed.

REVISIONSREVISIONS

When someone has been drinking, When someone has been drinking, he or she he or she is is more likely to speed.more likely to speed.

When When drivers have drivers have been drinking, they are more been drinking, they are more likely to speed. likely to speed.

Someone who has been drinkingSomeone who has been drinking is more likely to is more likely to speed than someone who has not. speed than someone who has not.

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Generic/singular Generic/singular antecedentsantecedents

INCORRECTINCORRECT

Every taxpayer must pay Every taxpayer must pay theirtheir taxes. taxes.

A student must study hard if A student must study hard if theythey want to want to succeed.succeed.

REVISEDREVISED

Every taxpayer must pay Every taxpayer must pay his or herhis or her taxes. taxes.

A student must study hard if A student must study hard if he or shehe or she wants to succeed.wants to succeed.

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Genderless antecedents – Genderless antecedents – collective nounscollective nouns

INCORRECTINCORRECT

The team has never won on The team has never won on theirtheir home home court.court.The jury has reached The jury has reached theirtheir decision. decision.

CORRECTCORRECT

The team has never won on The team has never won on itsits home home court.court.

The jury has reached The jury has reached itsits decision. decision.

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Compound antecedentsCompound antecedents

Stewart and Rosemary Stewart and Rosemary moved to the moved to the mountains, where mountains, where theythey built a log cabin. built a log cabin.

Either Jason or Rus Either Jason or Rus should have received should have received first prize for first prize for hishis Flash Fiction essay Flash Fiction essay submission.submission.

Neither Mrs. Moore nor her students Neither Mrs. Moore nor her students found found theirtheir way to the conference room. way to the conference room. (Match the pronoun with the closer (Match the pronoun with the closer antecedent.)antecedent.)

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RULE #2 ExamplesRULE #2 Examples

The prosecuting The prosecuting attorneyattorney presented presented hishis case.case.

EachEach witness gave witness gave his or herhis or her testimony. testimony. Judge JudyJudge Judy made made herher decision. decision. The The jurorsjurors gave gave theirtheir verdict. verdict. The The courtcourt made made itsits decision. decision. EveryEvery journalist wrote journalist wrote his or herhis or her story. story.

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Let’s Practice!!!Let’s Practice!!!

Any student wishing to add a new course after Any student wishing to add a new course after January 10 must file a petition with (his or her, January 10 must file a petition with (his or her, your, their) advisor.your, their) advisor.

HIS or HERHIS or HER The college plans a variety of entertainment The college plans a variety of entertainment

and instruction so that (its, it’s, their) graduates and instruction so that (its, it’s, their) graduates can keep abreast of modern education.can keep abreast of modern education.

ITSITS Carlos’s interest in horseback riding stems from Carlos’s interest in horseback riding stems from

the fact that his grandparents raise the fact that his grandparents raise themthem.. ……RAISE HORSES.RAISE HORSES.

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Let’s Practice a Little Let’s Practice a Little More!!!More!!!

Mumps is an unpredictable disease; some of the Mumps is an unpredictable disease; some of the family contracted family contracted themthem, and others did not., and others did not.

……CONTRACTED IT…CONTRACTED IT… Does either of the applicants for the job have Does either of the applicants for the job have theirtheir

degree in marketing?degree in marketing? ……HAVE HIS OR HER DEGREE…HAVE HIS OR HER DEGREE…

The economists forecast a rise in production; The economists forecast a rise in production; thisthis was certainly encouraging to all of us looking for was certainly encouraging to all of us looking for jobs.jobs.

THIS FORECAST WAS…THIS FORECAST WAS… In this chapter, In this chapter, it it states that an essay should have states that an essay should have

a thesis statement.a thesis statement. ……THE AUTHOR STATES…THE AUTHOR STATES…

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RULES OF THUMB FOR PRONOUN REFERENCE AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 1.

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