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Shifts
Pronoun & Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun Reference & Case
ENG100
Eliminate distracting shifts
These distract or confuse readers
Point of view
Verb tense
Mood or voice
Indirect to direct questions/quotations
Make the POV consistent in person
& number
First person emphasizes writer
Good for informal letters and writing based on
personal experience
Second person emphasizes reader
Good for giving advice or explaining how to do
something
Third person emphasizes subject
Best for formal academic and professional writing
Make the POV consistent in person
& number
Our class practiced rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked
car. We learned to dismantle the car with the essential
tools. You were graded on your speed and your skill in
freeing the victim.
Our class practiced rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked
car. We learned to dismantle the car with the essential
tools. You were graded on your speed and your skill in
freeing the victim.
Maintain consistent verb tenses
Consistent verb tenses clearly establish time of the
actions being described
A. There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just
as I was losing hope, a stranger jumps off a passing boat
and swims toward me.
B. There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just
as I was losing hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat
and swam toward me.
B. There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just
as I was losing hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat
and swam toward me.
Maintain consistent verb tenses
When writing about literature or current research, use
present tense
The scarlet letter is a punishment sternly placed on
Hester’s breast by the community, and yet it was a
fanciful and imaginative product of Hester’s own
needlework.
The scarlet letter is a punishment sternly placed on
Hester’s breast by the community, and yet it is a fanciful
and imaginative product of Hester’s own needlework.
Make verbs consistent in mood &
voice
Three moods in English
Indicative is used for facts, opinions, questions
Imperative is used for orders or advice
Subjunctive is used to express wishes or conditions
contrary to fact
The counselor advised us to spread out our core
requirements over two or three semester. Also, pay
attention to pre-requisites for elective courses.
The counselor advised us to spread out our core
requirements over two or three semester. She also
suggested that we pay attention to pre-requisites for
elective courses.
Make verbs consistent in mood &
voice
Each student completes a self-assessment. The self-
assessment is then given to the teacher and a copy is
exchanged with a classmate.
Each student completes a self-assessment, gives it to the
teacher, and exchanges a copy with a classmate.
Avoid sudden shifts from indirect or
direct questions or quotations
Indirect question: We asked whether we could visit
Miriam
Direct question: Can we visit Miriam?
A. I wonder whether Karla knew of the theft and, if so,
whether she reported it to the police.
B. I wonder whether Karla knew of the theft and, if so, did
she report it to the police?
A. I wonder whether Karla knew of the theft and, if so,
whether she reported it to the police.
Avoid sudden shifts from indirect or
direct questions or quotations
A. The patient said she had been experiencing heart
palpitations and please run as many tests as possible to
find out what’s wrong.
B. The patient said she had been experiencing heart
palpitations and asked me to run as many tests as
possible to find out what was wrong.
B. The patient said she had been experiencing heart
palpitations and asked me to run as many tests as
possible to find out what was wrong.
Exercies 8.1
1. West African villages have strong oral traditions in which the younger people are told stories by their parents and grandparents.
West African villages have strong oral traditions in which parents and grandparents tell the younger people stories.
2. Way back before the Revolutionary War, slave traders forced ancestors of the people from those villages to come to the United States.
Before the Revolutionary War, slave traders forced ancestors of the people from those villages to come to the United States.
Exercies 8.1
3. In their difficult new situation in this country, the
Africans adapted their stories so that you could learn
from them.
In their difficult new situation in this country, the
Africans adapted their stories so that people could
learn from them.
4. Although different stories had different messages,
one kind of character comes up over and over again.
Although different stories had different messages, one
kind of character came up over and over again.
Exercies 8.1
5. The character is cunning and clever; call him a
“trickster.”
The character is cunning and clever; he is a “trickster.”
6. The stories about Br’er Rabbit are good examples of
folktales whose hero was a trickster.
The stories about Br’er Rabbit are good examples of
folktales whose hero is a trickster.
Exercies 8.1
7. Many of the other animals want to gobble up Br’er
Rabbit, who has only his wits to protect him.
Many of the other animals want to eat Br’er Rabbit,
who has only his wits to protect him.
8. Yet in every story, Brer Rabbit not only escapes, but
his enemies are made to appear foolish by him as
well.
Yet in every story, Br’er Rabbit not only escapes, but he
makes his enemies appear foolish as well.
Exercies 8.1
9. Trickster characters like Br’er Rabbit showed slaves who heard these stories that they, too, could triumph by using cleverness when foes surround them.
Trickster characters like Br’er Rabbit showed slaves who heard these stories that they, too, could triumph by using cleverness when foes surrounded them.
10. Today, folklorists are exploring how did early African Americans encourage each other by telling stories of tricksters outsmarting powerful enemies.
Today, folklorists are exploring how early African Americans encouraged each other by telling stories of tricksters outsmarting powerful enemies.
Pronouns
Pronoun & Antecedent Agreement
What is a pronoun?
Substitutes a noun
He, she, it, her, him, they, we, us, them
What is an antecedent?
Noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers to
Dr. Berto finished her rounds.
The hospital interns finished their rounds.
Pronoun & Antecedent AgreementDo not use plural pronouns to refer to singular
antecedents
3 Ways to correct
When someone travels outside the US for the first time, they need to apply for a passport.
Replace plural pronoun with he or she (his or her)
When someone travels outside the US for the first time, he or she needs to apply for a passport.
Make antecedent plural
When people travel outside the US for the first time, they need to apply for a passport.
Rewrite sentence to correct problem
Anyone who travels outside the US for the first time needsto apply for a passport.
Pronoun & Antecedent AgreementDo not use plural pronouns to refer to singular
antecedents
These indefinite pronouns are all singular
Anybody anyone anything each
Everybody eithereveryone everything
Nobody no one neither nothing
Somebody someone something
Pronoun & Antecedent AgreementTreat collective nouns as singular unless the meaning
is clearly plural
Collective nouns are treated as a group and
functions as a unit
Jury committee audience
couple Crowd class
troop family team
The committee granted its permission to build.
Sometimes they act as individuals though
The committee put their signatures on the document.
Simplify by adding a clearly plural antecedent
The members of the committee put their signatures on
the document.
Pronoun & Antecedent AgreementTreat most compound antecedents joined with
and as plural
In 1987, Reagan and Gorbachev held a summit
where they signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear
Forces Treaty.
With compound antecedents joined with or or nor
(or with either…or or neither…nor), make the
pronoun agree with the closer antecedent
Either Bruce or Tom should receive first prize for his
poem.
Neither the mouse nor the rats could find their way
through the maze.
Pronoun & Antecedent AgreementWith compound antecedents joined with or or nor
(or with either…or or neither…nor), make the
pronoun agree with the closer antecedent
*if one antecedent is singular and the other
plural, put plural one last to avoid awkwardness
*If one antecedent is male and the other female,
do not follow the traditional rule
Either Bruce or Elizabeth should receive first prize
for her short story.
The prize for best short story should go to either
Bruce or Elizabeth.
Exercise 7.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
1. Meteorology has made many advances in the past
few decades, but they still cannot answer a number of
questions about tornadoes.
Meteorology has made many advances in the past few
decades, but it still cannot answer a number of
questions about tornadoes.
2. Every tornado has their own unique characteristics.
Every tornado has its own unique characteristics.
Exercise 7.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
3. The science of tornado watching has its own system,
the Fujita scale, for measuring storms from weakest
(F0) to strongest (F5).
correct
4. An F4 tornado or an F5 tornado can destroy
everything in their path.
An F4 tornado or an F5 tornado can destroy
everything in its path.
Exercise 7.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
5. Scientists cannot yet predict how strong any tornado
will be before they happen.
Scientists cannot yet predict how strong any tornado
will be before it happens.
6. One mystery about tornadoes involves the last step
when it forms.
One mystery about tornadoes involves the last step
when they form.
Exercise 7.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
7. Specialists do not know if a tornado forms in a cloud
and travels to the ground or if they begin on earth
and spiral upward.
Specialists do not know if a tornado forms in a cloud
and travels to the ground or if it begins on earth and
spirals upward.
8. Improved meteorological technology and the skill to
interpret data have made their contributions to
tornado prediction.
correct
Exercise 7.2 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
9. Either a few extra minutes of warning or more
information about a storm’s power would prove their
effectiveness in saving lives.
Either a few extra minutes of warning or more
information about a storm’s power would prove its
effectiveness in saving lives.
10. People who live in a tornado zone should always
know where his or her nearest safe area is.
People who live in a tornado zone should always know
where their nearest safe area is.
People who live in a tornado zone should always know
the location of their nearest safe zone.
Pronoun ReferencesAvoid ambiguous or remote pronoun reference
Occurs when pronoun could refer to 2 possible
antecedents
When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped
table, it broke.
Which object broke – the pitcher or the table?
The pitcher broke when Gloria set it on the glass-
topped table.
Tom told Sam that he had won the lottery.
Who won the lottery –Tom or Sam?
Tom told Sam, “You have won the lottery.”
Pronoun ReferencesGenerally, avoid broad reference of this, that,
which, it
By advertising on TV, pharmaceutical companies
gain exposure for their prescription drugs. Patients
respond to this by requesting drugs they might not
need.
What are patients responding to – ads,
companies, prescription drugs?
By advertising on TV, pharmaceutical companies
gain exposure for their prescription drugs. Patients
respond to the ads by requesting drugs they might
not need.
Pronoun ReferencesDo not use a pronoun to refer to an implied
antecedent
A pronoun should refer to a specific antecedent,
not to a word that isn’t actually in the sentence
After braiding Ann’s hair, Sue decorated them with
ribbons.
What is the antecedent for the pronoun them?
After braiding Ann’s hair, Sue decorated the braids
with ribbons.
Pronoun References Avoid the indefinite use of they, it, you
A pronoun should refer to a specific antecedent,
not to a word that isn’t actually in the sentence
In June, they announced that parents would have to
pay a fee.
In June, the board announced that parents would
have to pay a fee.
In the encyclopedia it states that male moths can
smell female moths from several miles away.
The encyclopedia states that male moths can smell
female moths from several miles away.
Pronoun References Avoid the indefinite use of they, it, you
A pronoun should refer to a specific antecedent,
not to a word that isn’t actually in the sentence
Ms. Pickersgill’s book stipulates that you should not
arrive at a party too early or leave too late.
Ms. Pickersgill’s book stipulates that a guest should
not arrive at a party too early or leave too late.
Pronoun References To refer to persons, use who, whom, whose NOT
which, that
Use which, that to refer to animals or things
All thirty-two women in the study, half of which were unemployed for more than six months, reported higher self-esteem after job training.
All thirty-two women in the study, half of whom were unemployed for more than six months, reported higher self-esteem after job training.
During the two-day festival El Dia de los Muertos, Mexican families celebrate loved ones that have died.
During the two-day festival El Dia de los Muertos, Mexican families celebrate loved ones who have died.
Exercise 7.1 Pronoun Reference
1. In much political analysis, they say that public distrust
of the US government began with Watergate.
Many political analysts say that public distrust of the US
government began with Watergate.
2. That scandal’s continuing legacy may make it one of
the most influential American events of the twentieth
century.
That scandal’s continuing legacy may make Watergate
one of the most influential American events of the
twentieth century.
Exercise 7.1 Pronoun Reference
3. Since the early 1970s, political scandals have rarely
interested Americans; they often seem to have very
little effect.
Since the early 1970s, political scandals have rarely
interested Americans; the scandals often seem to have
very little effect.
4. Journalists provided the American people with a lot of
information about the Iran-Contra hearings, but they
could not have cared less.
Journalists provided the American people with a lot of
information about the Iran-Contra hearings, but the
public could not have cared less.
Exercise 7.1 Pronoun Reference
5. Most people were indifferent; could it have been the
result of post-Watergate trauma?
Could the indifference of most people have been the
result of post-Watergate trauma?
6. If Americans expect politicians to be corrupt, it will not
surprise or even interest them.
If Americans expect politicians to be corrupt,
government scandals will not surprise or even interest
them.
Exercise 7.1 Pronoun Reference
7. Ironically, the media’s coverage of scandals seems to
have made the public suspicious of them as well.
Ironically, the media’s coverage of scandals seems to have
made the public suspicious of journalists as well.
8. Cynicism about political and journalistic motives, leads
to apathy and it can spread contagiously.
Cynicism about political and journalistic motives, which
can spread contagiously, leads to apathy.
Exercise 7.1 Pronoun Reference
9. Many people are so apathetic that it makes them
refuse to vote.
Many people are so apathetic that they refuse to vote.
10. If people do not believe that they can make a
difference in the political process, it makes the country
less democratic.
If people do not believe that they can make a difference
in the political process, the country becomes less
democratic.
Pronoun Case
Three cases –
Subjective case – pronouns used as subject
Objective case – pronouns used as objects of verbs
or prepositions
Possessive case – pronouns which express
ownershipPronouns as subjects Pronouns as objects Possessive pronouns
I Me My (mine)
You You Your (yours)
He, she, it Him, her, it His, her (hers), it (its)
We Us Our (ours)
They Them Their (theirs)
Who Whom Whose
Pronoun Case In compound structures, where there are two
pronouns or a noun and a pronoun, drop the other noun for a moment.
Bob and me travel a good deal.
(Would you say, “me travel”?)
Bob and I travel a good deal.
He gave the flowers to Jane and I.
(Would you say, “he gave the flowers to I”?)
He gave the flowers to Jane and me.
Us men like the coach.
(Would you say, “us like the coach”?)
We men like the coach.
Pronoun Case Use the subjective case (I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who) for subjects
and subject complements.
Joel ran away from home because his stepfather and him had quarreled.
His stepfather and he = subject
verb = had quarreled
wouldn’t say “him had quarreled.”
Joel ran away from home because his stepfather and he had quarreled.
During the Lindbergh trial, Bruno Hauptmann repeatedly denied that the kidnapper was him.
Pronoun is used as a subject complement (word following a linking verb)
During the Lindbergh trial, Bruno Hauptmann repeatedly denied that the kidnapper was he.
If you are scratching your head on this one because it seems too stilted, just rewrite the sentence.
During the Lindbergh trial, Bruno Hauptmann repeatedly denied that he was the kidnapper.
Pronoun Case Use the objective case (me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom)
for all objects.
Janice was indignant when she realized that the salesclerk was insulting her mother and she.
Her mother and her is the direct object of the verb was insulting.
Strip away the words her mother and to hear the correct pronoun:
Was insulting her (not was insulting she)
Janice was indignant when she realized that the salesclerk was insulting her mother and her.
The most traumatic experience for her father and I occurred long after her operation.
Her father and me is the object of the preposition for.
Strip away the words her father and to test for the correct pronoun: for me (not for I).
The most traumatic experience for her father and me occurred long after her operation.
Pronoun Case Use the objective case (me, you, him, her, it, us, them,
whom) for all objects.
The cab driver gave my cousin and myself some good tips
on traveling in New Delhi.
My cousin and me is the indirect object of the verb gave.
The cab driver gave my cousin and me some good tips on
traveling in New Delhi.
Pronoun Case Use the possessive case (my, our, your, his, her, hers, it,
its, their, theirs, whose) to modify a gerund.
A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that functions
as a noun.
The chances of you being hit by lightning are about two
million to one.
Your modifies the gerund phrase being hit by lightning.
The chances of your being hit by lightning are about two
million to one.
Pronoun Case – Exercise 24 - 1
1. Rick applied for the job even though he heard that
other candidates were more experienced than he.
Correct – …than he is.
2. The volleyball team could not believe that the coach
was she.
Correct - …that she was the coach.
3. She appreciated him telling the truth in such a
difficult situation.
She appreciated his telling the truth in such a difficult
situation.
Pronoun Case – Exercise 24 - 1
4. The director has asked you and I to draft a proposal
for a new recycling plan.
The director has asked you and me to draft a proposal
for a new recycling plan.
5. Five close friends and myself rented a station wagon,
packed it with food, and drove two hundred miles to
Mardi Gras.
Five close friends and I rented a station wagon, packed
it with food, and drove two hundred miles to Mardi
Gras.
For Wednesday…
Study for quiz #1
(parts of speech, active/passive verbs, ending in
prepositions, shifts, pronoun & antecedent agreement,
pronoun reference & case)
Read chapter about description writing
Attempt a cluster/web of your narrative
Attempt an outline of your narrative