![Rule 2: A pronoun should not
Rule 2: A pronoun should not
refer to a possessive noun [one
refer to a possessive noun [one
that ends in ’s or s’ ].
that ends in ’s or s’ ].
Now read this sentence:
Now read this sentence:
The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as
The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as
itit attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled
it
it attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled
soda.
soda.
Is there a
problem,
my friends?](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/proref-120923222906-phpapp02/85/Proref-8-320.jpg)
![Rule 6: Use you [or any other
Rule 6: Use you [or any other
second-person pronoun] only for
second-person pronoun] only for
direct address.
direct address.
Now read this sentence:
Now read this sentence:
Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria
Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria
because you pay too much for a soda.
because you pay too much for a soda.
Is there a problem?
Is there a problem?](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/proref-120923222906-phpapp02/85/Proref-23-320.jpg)
Proref
- 1. This PowerPoint Presentation is This PowerPoint Presentation is ©2012 by Robin L. Simmons. ©2012 by Robin L. Simmons. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved.
- 2. ENC 1101, Freshman ENC 1101, Freshman Composition I Composition I Pronoun Reference Even more pronoun rules to learn!
- 3. Rule 1: Each pronoun must refer Rule 1: Each pronoun must refer clearly to a single antecedent. clearly to a single antecedent. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: Samuel told Brian that his skirt was too Samuel told Brian that his skirt was too short and too tight. short and too tight. Is there a problem? Is there a problem?
- 4. Isn’t it possible to see two Isn’t it possible to see two different pictures? This one … different pictures? This one … You Dude, really that skirt think is a little so? tight!
- 5. … or this one? … or this one? I know, I No time for know … laundry It’s too this week, tight! huh?
- 6. To fix the mistake, try To fix the mistake, try Strategy 1. Strategy 1. Use a specific word to replace the pronoun. The correction looks like this: Brian’s skirt Samuel’s skirt Yeah, but I don’t like the repetition of the name!
- 7. Or try Strategy 2. Or try Strategy 2. Completely revise the sentence, like this: Brian, “Your skirt is too “My skirt is too tight.” Use Strategy 1 or 2 depending on what works best for the sentence!
- 8. Rule 2: A pronoun should not Rule 2: A pronoun should not refer to a possessive noun [one refer to a possessive noun [one that ends in ’s or s’ ]. that ends in ’s or s’ ]. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as The cockroach’s antennae searched the air as itit attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled it it attempted to find leftover crumbs or spilled soda. soda. Is there a problem, my friends?
- 9. To fix the problem, try To fix the problem, try Strategy 1. Strategy 1. Strategy 1: Use of to show possession instead of ’s or s’. The antennae of the cockroach searched Notice that now cockroach is free of the ’s!
- 10. Warning! Warning! Don’t use Strategy 1 if the sentence will sound really weird. Bob’s eyes grew more and more tired as he studied his pronoun reference rules. The eyes of Bob grew … Sounds like the title of a horror movie. Coming this summer to a theater near you … The Eyes of Bob!
- 11. The eyes of Bob say know Strategy 2!
- 12. Strategy 2 Strategy 2 this insect attempted to find No pronoun = no pronoun reference error!
- 13. Rule 3: Use they with precision. Rule 3: Use they with precision. They should have a single, clear They should have a single, clear antecedent. antecedent. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: Don’t worry if the stock market is down. They Don’t worry if the stock market is down. They say that fluctuations are natural and won’t say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. hurt your long-term investments. Is there a problem? Is there a problem?
- 14. They who? They who? Pay attention! I know you can hear me! Clowns from Talking ducks Market the circus? from Lake Eola? analysts?
- 15. Say what you mean! Say what you mean! Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Circus Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Circus clowns say that fluctuations are natural and won’t clowns say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. hurt your long-term investments. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. The talking Don’t worry if the stock market is down. The talking ducks at Lake Eola say that fluctuations are ducks at Lake Eola say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Market Don’t worry if the stock market is down. Market analysts say that fluctuations are natural and won’t analysts say that fluctuations are natural and won’t hurt your long-term investments. hurt your long-term investments.
- 16. Rule 4: Use it with precision. It Rule 4: Use it with precision. It should have a single, clear should have a single, clear antecedent. antecedent. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: It says in this week’s National Inquisitor that It says in this week’s National Inquisitor that It It the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis Presley. the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis Presley. Is there a problem? Is there a problem?
- 17. What says? Who says? What says? Who says? It says This week’s National Inquisitor It says in this week’s National Inquisitor in this says that theNess Monster ate Elvis that the Loch Ness Monster ate Elvis that the Loch Loch Ness Monster Presley. Presley. ate Elvis Presley. I must admit that Elvis tasted pretty bad.
- 18. In addition, use it In addition, use it sparingly. sparingly. Allow yourself no more than two its per sentence! We do! The Who talking says? ducks from Lake Eola!
- 19. Rule 5: Make certain that this, Rule 5: Make certain that this, that, and which have one clear that, and which have one clear antecedent. antecedent. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: While juggling the kittens on the dining room While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the table, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, and pulled it out of the ceiling, chandelier, and pulled it out of the ceiling, which really upset Julia. which really upset Julia.
- 20. What really upset Julia? What really upset Julia? Crash! (No kittens were hurt during the
- 21. Say what you mean! Say what you mean! While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, and pulled it out of the ceiling. Scuff marks on and pulled it out of the ceiling. Scuff marks on the table really upset Julia. the table really upset Julia. While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, and pulled it out of the ceiling. Endangering the and pulled it out of the ceiling. Endangering the kittens really upset Julia. kittens really upset Julia. While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, While juggling the kittens on the dining room table, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, Lawrence lost his balance, grabbed the chandelier, and pulled it out of the ceiling. Breaking the and pulled it out of the ceiling. Breaking the chandelier really upset Julia. chandelier really upset Julia.
- 22. Lawrence’s I’ll leave the shenanigans kittens alone! are what really I promise! upset me!
- 23. Rule 6: Use you [or any other Rule 6: Use you [or any other second-person pronoun] only for second-person pronoun] only for direct address. direct address. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria because you pay too much for a soda. because you pay too much for a soda. Is there a problem? Is there a problem?
- 24. Fix the problem this way: Fix the problem this way: Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria Andre refuses to eat at the campus cafeteria because you pays too much for soda. because he pay too much for a a soda. you pay too much for a soda. $1.89 for 16 ounces! Are you kidding me?
- 25. Rule 7: Make sure that who, Rule 7: Make sure that who, which, and that refer to the right which, and that refer to the right types of nouns. types of nouns. Now read this sentence: Now read this sentence: My German shepherd King, which barks My German shepherd King, which barks which incessantly, works better at deterring thieves incessantly, works better at deterring thieves than an alarm system. than an alarm system. Is there a problem? Is there a problem?
- 26. Use who for people, famous Use who for people, famous animals, or named pets. animals, or named pets. Roberto, who Flipper, who King, who plays guitar … had his own TV guards the show … house …
- 27. Use which for inanimate objects Use which for inanimate objects and unnamed animals. and unnamed animals. Our fridge, My lucky pen, The stray cat which makes which I use to which my strange write … neighbor noises … juggles …
- 28. Use that for anything unnamed, Use that for anything unnamed, though who is best for people. though who is best for people. The jerk that The iguana The coffee lives next that Jason maker that we door … has as a pet … got as a gift …
- 29. The End. The End. Study for your pronoun reference quiz! It’s a hard nut to quack!