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Directions: copy each sentence below, choosing the correct word for pronoun-antecedent agreement.

1.Jeff and Isabel planned (his and her, their) wedding.2. Everyone turned in (his or her, their) drama reviews in advance of the due date.3. Every one of the actresses knows (her, their) part by heart.

ObjectivesObjectivesObjectivesObjectives

-RI.10.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in -RI.10.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of the text. persuasiveness or beauty of the text.

-- RL.10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and RL.10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.text.

-RI.10.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in -RI.10.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of the text. persuasiveness or beauty of the text.

-- RL.10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and RL.10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.text.

Rule 1:Rule 1: Know the Know the generalgeneral rule rule governing pronoun agreement.governing pronoun agreement.Rule 1:Rule 1: Know the Know the generalgeneral rule rule governing pronoun agreement.governing pronoun agreement.

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent.

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent.

The The antecedentantecedent is usually a is usually a nounnoun that the that the pronoun pronoun replacesreplaces. For example, you can . For example, you can

replace replace Mrs. HillMrs. Hill with with she she or or herher, the , the students students with with theythey or or themthem..

The The antecedentantecedent is usually a is usually a nounnoun that the that the pronoun pronoun replacesreplaces. For example, you can . For example, you can

replace replace Mrs. HillMrs. Hill with with she she or or herher, the , the students students with with theythey or or themthem..

Here are two examples:Here are two examples:Here are two examples:Here are two examples:

The The lizardlizard licked licked itsits eyeball.eyeball.

The The lizardslizards licked licked theirtheir eyeballs. eyeballs.

LizardLizard = singular antecedent = singular antecedentitsits = singular pronoun = singular pronoun

LizardsLizards = plural antecedent = plural antecedenttheirtheir = plural pronoun = plural pronoun

Know the difference between these Know the difference between these singularsingular and and pluralplural personal personal pronouns.pronouns.

Know the difference between these Know the difference between these singularsingular and and pluralplural personal personal pronouns.pronouns.

Singular He, she, itHe, she, it Him, her, itHim, her, it His, hers, itsHis, hers, its Himself, herself, Himself, herself,

itselfitself

Singular He, she, itHe, she, it Him, her, itHim, her, it His, hers, itsHis, hers, its Himself, herself, Himself, herself,

itselfitself

Plural TheyThey ThemThem Their, theirsTheir, theirs ThemselvesThemselves

Plural TheyThey ThemThem Their, theirsTheir, theirs ThemselvesThemselves

Do not confuse Do not confuse it’sit’s with with itsits. .

Do not confuse Do not confuse it’sit’s with with itsits. .

It’sIt’s [with an apostrophe] means [with an apostrophe] means it isit is or or it hasit has. . ItsIts [without an apostrophe] means [without an apostrophe] means belonging to belonging to

itit——for example, for example, itsits bowl, bowl, itsits sharp teeth, sharp teeth, itsits long long claws, etc.claws, etc.

Possessive pronouns—Possessive pronouns—unlikeunlike possessive nouns possessive nouns—do —do notnot need an apostrophe with the final need an apostrophe with the final ss..

It’sIt’s [with an apostrophe] means [with an apostrophe] means it isit is or or it hasit has. . ItsIts [without an apostrophe] means [without an apostrophe] means belonging to belonging to

itit——for example, for example, itsits bowl, bowl, itsits sharp teeth, sharp teeth, itsits long long claws, etc.claws, etc.

Possessive pronouns—Possessive pronouns—unlikeunlike possessive nouns possessive nouns—do —do notnot need an apostrophe with the final need an apostrophe with the final ss..

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

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

Rule 2, Part 1:Rule 2, Part 1: The conjunction The conjunction aandnd can can cause problems with pronoun agreement.cause problems with pronoun agreement.Rule 2, Part 1:Rule 2, Part 1: The conjunction The conjunction aandnd can can cause problems with pronoun agreement.cause problems with pronoun agreement.

The new puppy and kitten have destroyed their owner’s sofa.The new puppy and kitten have destroyed their owner’s sofa.

Rule 2, Part 2:Rule 2, Part 2: When When eacheach or or everyevery precedes two precedes two [[or moreor more]] singular singular things joined by things joined by andand, a , a singularsingular antecedent is formed.antecedent is formed.

Rule 2, Part 2:Rule 2, Part 2: When When eacheach or or everyevery precedes two precedes two [[or moreor more]] singular singular things joined by things joined by andand, a , a singularsingular antecedent is formed.antecedent is formed.

Each new puppy and kitten destroys its owner’s sofa.Each new puppy and kitten destroys its owner’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.

Each new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula, python, parrot, iguana, and ferret destroys its owner’s sofa.

Each new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula, python, parrot, iguana, and ferret destroys its owner’s sofa.

Rule 3:Rule 3: Use caution with these three Use caution with these three correlative conjunctions: correlative conjunctions: either … oreither … or, , neither … norneither … nor, and , and not only … but alsonot only … but also..

Rule 3:Rule 3: Use caution with these three Use caution with these three correlative conjunctions: correlative conjunctions: either … oreither … or, , neither … norneither … nor, and , and not only … but alsonot only … but also..

Of the two antecedents in the sentence, the

pronoun must agree with the closer one.

Of the two antecedents in the sentence, the

pronoun must agree with the closer one.

Here are two examples:Here are two examples:Here are two examples:Here are two examples:

++ ==

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

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

Indefinite pronounsIndefinite pronouns cause the cause the biggest headaches for biggest headaches for pronoun agreement.pronoun agreement.

Indefinite pronounsIndefinite pronouns cause the cause the biggest headaches for biggest headaches for pronoun agreement.pronoun agreement.

Rule 4, Part 1:Rule 4, Part 1: These These indefinite indefinite pronounspronouns are always are always singular singular [[even even when they when they seemseem plural plural]]..

Rule 4, Part 1:Rule 4, Part 1: These These indefinite indefinite pronounspronouns are always are always singular singular [[even even when they 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

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

EveryoneEveryone on Earth = on Earth = more thanmore than one person— one person—billionsbillions of people, in fact.of people, in fact.

The word The word everyoneeveryone, however, is still , however, is still singularsingular and and requires a requires a singular pronoun singular pronoun for agreement.for agreement.

EveryoneEveryone on Earth = on Earth = more thanmore than one person— one person—billionsbillions of people, in fact.of people, in fact.

The word The word everyoneeveryone, however, is still , however, is still singularsingular and and requires a requires a singular pronoun singular pronoun for agreement.for agreement.

Neither of my two brothers shows much sense when he dates women. [Neither = singular.]Neither of my two brothers shows much sense when he dates women. [Neither = singular.]

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

This sentence might This sentence might soundsound right, but it is completely right, but it is completely

wrong!wrong!

This sentence might This sentence might soundsound right, but it is completely right, but it is completely

wrong!wrong!

Read this example:Read this example:Read this example:Read this example:

The sentence below The sentence below soundssounds natural but has an error.natural but has an error.The sentence below The sentence below soundssounds natural but has an error.natural but has an error.

Rule 4, Part 2:Rule 4, Part 2: When fixing an When fixing an agreement error, try to avoid agreement error, try to avoid sexist sexist languagelanguage that might that might offendoffend your your readers.readers.

Rule 4, Part 2:Rule 4, Part 2: When fixing an When fixing an agreement error, try to avoid agreement error, try to avoid sexist sexist languagelanguage that might that might offendoffend your your readers.readers.

Someone left their lights on.Someone left their lights on.

In the 1950s, rule books would have In the 1950s, rule books would have recommended using the recommended using the masculinemasculine pronoun exclusively.pronoun exclusively.

In the 1950s, rule books would have In the 1950s, rule books would have recommended using the recommended using the masculinemasculine pronoun exclusively.pronoun exclusively.

Oh, my! Someone left his lights on.

Oh, my! Someone left his lights on.

In the 1970s, after criticism from feminists In the 1970s, after criticism from feminists and civil rights activists, rule books next and civil rights activists, rule books next suggested using suggested using bothboth genders so that genders so that males males and femalesand females had had equal representationequal representation in in the language. the language.

In the 1970s, after criticism from feminists In the 1970s, after criticism from feminists and civil rights activists, rule books next and civil rights activists, rule books next suggested using suggested using bothboth genders so that genders so that males males and femalesand females had had equal representationequal representation in in the language. the language.

Someone left his or her lights on.

Someone left his or her lights on.

I can see them along the watch tower . . .

I can see them along the watch tower . . .

In the 21In the 21stst century, fix the error century, fix the error withoutwithout the annoying repetition. the annoying repetition.In the 21In the 21stst century, fix the error century, fix the error withoutwithout the annoying repetition. the annoying repetition.

There’s a car with its lights on.

There’s a car with its lights on.

Thankfully, my wheels don’t have

that problem.

Thankfully, my wheels don’t have

that problem.

Rule 4, Part 3:Rule 4, Part 3: Some indefinite Some indefinite pronouns are pronouns are singular or pluralsingular or plural, , depending on depending on contextcontext..

Rule 4, Part 3:Rule 4, Part 3: Some indefinite Some indefinite pronouns are pronouns are singular or pluralsingular or plural, , depending on depending on contextcontext..

AllAll AnyAny None*None* MoreMore MostMost SomeSome

AllAll AnyAny None*None* MoreMore MostMost SomeSome

AllAll of Beverly’s hair of Beverly’s hair gets gets itsits color from a color from a bottle.bottle.AllAll of Beverly’s of Beverly’s fingernails get fingernails get theirtheir color from a bottle.color from a bottle.

AllAll of Beverly’s hair of Beverly’s hair gets gets itsits color from a color from a bottle.bottle.AllAll of Beverly’s of Beverly’s fingernails get fingernails get theirtheir color from a bottle.color from a bottle.

Some Some groupsgroups of people, like a of people, like a juryjury, also , also cause pronoun agreement cause pronoun agreement problemsproblems..

Some Some groupsgroups of people, like a of people, like a juryjury, also , also cause pronoun agreement cause pronoun agreement problemsproblems..

Rule 5:Rule 5: Collective nouns Collective nouns are singular are singular or plural, depending on or plural, depending on contextcontext..Rule 5:Rule 5: Collective nouns Collective nouns are singular are singular or plural, depending on or plural, depending on contextcontext..

Collective nouns are groups of people: Collective nouns are groups of people: teamteam, , juryjury, , classclass, , committeecommittee, , armyarmy, , familyfamily, etc., etc.

If all members are acting If all members are acting in unisonin unison, treat , treat the collective noun as the collective noun as singularsingular and use a and use a singular pronounsingular pronoun..

If, however, all members are acting If, however, all members are acting individuallyindividually, treat the noun as , treat the noun as pluralplural and and use a use a plural pronounplural pronoun..

Collective nouns are groups of people: Collective nouns are groups of people: teamteam, , juryjury, , classclass, , committeecommittee, , armyarmy, , familyfamily, etc., etc.

If all members are acting If all members are acting in unisonin unison, treat , treat the collective noun as the collective noun as singularsingular and use a and use a singular pronounsingular pronoun..

If, however, all members are acting If, however, all members are acting individuallyindividually, treat the noun as , treat the noun as pluralplural and and use a use a plural pronounplural pronoun..

Read these examples:Read these examples:Read these examples:Read these examples:

The team celebrated its victory.The team celebrated its victory.

The team changed into their street clothes and went home happy.

The team changed into their street clothes and went home happy.

Rule 6:Rule 6: CompaniesCompanies, , organizationsorganizations, and , and schoolsschools are are singularsingular and thus require and thus require singularsingular pronouns. pronouns.

Rule 6:Rule 6: CompaniesCompanies, , organizationsorganizations, and , and schoolsschools are are singularsingular and thus require and thus require singularsingular pronouns. pronouns.

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

The Pencil Enthusiast Society uses the donations it receives to insure all writing instruments have sharp points.

The Pencil Enthusiast Society uses the donations it receives to insure all writing instruments have sharp points.

Next year, Weaver College will try to solve its parking woes by requiring students to buy a $75 parking decal.

Next year, Weaver College will try to solve its parking woes by requiring students to buy a $75 parking decal.

Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test

1. At the zoo, every lion, tiger, leopard, bear, snake, and crocodile roared their approval when the mean child slipped in a puddle and cracked his head on the sidewalk.

1. At the zoo, every lion, tiger, leopard, bear, snake, and crocodile roared their approval when the mean child slipped in a puddle and cracked his head on the sidewalk.

theirtheirtheirtheir

Directions:Directions: Find and fix the errors. Find and fix the errors.

itsits

2.2. Each of those worried students is Each of those worried students is wondering how to cheat wondering how to cheat effectively on their pronoun effectively on their pronoun agreement quiz.agreement quiz.

2.2. Each of those worried students is Each of those worried students is wondering how to cheat wondering how to cheat effectively on their pronoun effectively on their pronoun agreement quiz.agreement quiz.

theirtheirtheirtheir

Or try this:Or try this: Those worried studentsThose worried students are wondering how to cheat effectively are wondering how to cheat effectively on on theirtheir pronoun agreement quiz.pronoun agreement quiz.

hishishishisherher

3.3. Both Mrs. Williams and her Both Mrs. Williams and her students are happy to hear students are happy to hear that they can order squid that they can order squid eyeball stew for their lunch.eyeball stew for their lunch.

3.3. Both Mrs. Williams and her Both Mrs. Williams and her students are happy to hear students are happy to hear that they can order squid that they can order squid eyeball stew for their lunch.eyeball stew for their lunch.Correct!Correct!Correct!Correct!

4.4. Not only my two dogs but also Not only my two dogs but also Buster the cat loves to eat Buster the cat loves to eat pepperoni that I pull off my pizza pepperoni that I pull off my pizza to give to them. to give to them.

4.4. Not only my two dogs but also Not only my two dogs but also Buster the cat loves to eat Buster the cat loves to eat pepperoni that I pull off my pizza pepperoni that I pull off my pizza to give to them. to give to them. themthem

..themthem

..Remember that the Remember that the closercloser of the two of the two antecedents counts:antecedents counts: Not onlyNot only Buster Buster the catthe cat but alsobut also my two dogsmy two dogs love to eat love to eat pepperoni that I pull off my pizza to give to pepperoni that I pull off my pizza to give to themthem..

him.him.him.him.

5. Oh, no! Someone left their greasy French fries on the essay that I have to turn in to Mrs. Neal next hour!

5. Oh, no! Someone left their greasy French fries on the essay that I have to turn in to Mrs. Neal next hour!

theirtheirtheirtheirhishishishisherherherher

Or try this:Or try this: Someone left Someone left greasy greasy French friesFrench fries on the paper that I have to on the paper that I have to turn in to Mrs. Neal next hour!turn in to Mrs. Neal next hour!

6.6. The class cheered their The class cheered their approval when Dr. Shuman approval when Dr. Shuman postponed the frog dissection so postponed the frog dissection so that the students could go home that the students could go home early on Friday afternoon.early on Friday afternoon.

6.6. The class cheered their The class cheered their approval when Dr. Shuman approval when Dr. Shuman postponed the frog dissection so postponed the frog dissection so that the students could go home that the students could go home early on Friday afternoon.early on Friday afternoon.

theirtheirtheirtheir

Or try this:Or try this: The The studentsstudents cheered cheered theirtheir approval when Dr. Shuman approval when Dr. Shuman postponed the frog dissection .postponed the frog dissection . .. ..

itsits

7.7. Nick loves Cluck-a-Buck, but Nick loves Cluck-a-Buck, but they use so much MSG as they use so much MSG as flavoring that he sneezes for an flavoring that he sneezes for an hour after eating just a drumstick.hour after eating just a drumstick.

7.7. Nick loves Cluck-a-Buck, but Nick loves Cluck-a-Buck, but they use so much MSG as they use so much MSG as flavoring that he sneezes for an flavoring that he sneezes for an hour after eating just a drumstick.hour after eating just a drumstick.

they usethey usethey usethey useit usesit usesit usesit uses

8.8. None of Sabrina’s friends will give None of Sabrina’s friends will give up one of his or her pencils so up one of his or her pencils so that Sabrina, who is always that Sabrina, who is always unprepared, can take her pronoun unprepared, can take her pronoun agreement quiz today.agreement quiz today.

8.8. None of Sabrina’s friends will give None of Sabrina’s friends will give up one of his or her pencils so up one of his or her pencils so that Sabrina, who is always that Sabrina, who is always unprepared, can take her pronoun unprepared, can take her pronoun agreement quiz today.agreement quiz today.

his or herhis or herhis or herhis or hertheirtheirtheirtheir

9.9. Either of those two shirts will Either of those two shirts will enhance your brown eyes with enhance your brown eyes with their vibrant colors.their vibrant colors.

9.9. Either of those two shirts will Either of those two shirts will enhance your brown eyes with enhance your brown eyes with their vibrant colors.their vibrant colors.theirtheirtheirtheir

Or try this:Or try this: Both of those shirtsBoth of those shirts will will enhance your brown eyes with enhance your brown eyes with theirtheir vibrant colors.vibrant colors.

itsitsitsits

10.10.The committee unanimously The committee unanimously decided to impeach the president decided to impeach the president because they could no longer because they could no longer stand his long-winded speeches stand his long-winded speeches and unclear policies.and unclear policies.

10.10.The committee unanimously The committee unanimously decided to impeach the president decided to impeach the president because they could no longer because they could no longer stand his long-winded speeches stand his long-winded speeches and unclear policies.and unclear policies.

theythey

Or try this:Or try this: The The committee memberscommittee members unanimously decided to impeach the unanimously decided to impeach the president because president because theythey could no longer could no longer stand .stand . .. ..

itititit