PRONOUNS
17. Pronoun and Antecedent. A Pronoun is a word used instead of a noun. The noun in
whose stead it stands is caled its Antecedent. John took Mary's book and gave it to his
friend. In this sentence book is the antecedent of the pronoun it, and John is the antecedent
of his.
18. Pronouns should agree with their antecedents in person, gender, and number.
19. Personal Pronouns are those that by their form indicate the speaker, the person
spoken to, or the person or thing spoken about.
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Pronouns of the First Person indicate the speaker; they are: I, me, my, mine, we, us,
our, ours.
Pronouns of the Second Person indicate the person or thing spoken to; they are: you,
your, yours. There are also the grave or solemn forms in the second person, which are now
little used; these are: thou, thee, thy, thine, and ye.
Pronouns of the Third Person indicate the person or thing spoken of; they are: he, his,
him, she, her, hers, they, their, theirs, them, it, its.
Few errors are made in the use of the proper person of the pronoun.
20. Gender of Pronouns. The folowing pronouns indicate sex or gender; Masculine: he,
his, him. Feminine: she, her, hers. Neuter: it, its.
In order to secure agreement in gender it is necessary to know the gender of the
noun, expressed or understood, to which the pronoun refers. Gender of nouns is
important only so far as it concerns the use of pronouns. Study carefuly the folowing rules in Page 14
regard to gender. These rules apply to the singular number only, since al plurals of whatever
gender are referred to by they, their, theirs, etc.
The following rules govern the gender of pronouns:
Masculine; referred to by he, his, and him:
1. Nouns denoting males are always masculine.
2. Nouns denoting things remarkable for strength, power, sublimity, or size, when those
things are regarded as if they were persons, are masculine; as, Winter, with his chilly army,
destroyed them all.
3. Singular nouns denoting persons of both sexes are masculine; as, Every one brought
his umbrella.
Feminine; referred to by she, her, or hers:
1. Nouns denoting females are always feminine.
2. Nouns denoting objects remarkable for beauty, gentleness, and peace, when spoken of
as if they were persons, are feminine; as, Sleep healed him with her fostering care.
Neuter; referred to by it and its:
1. Nouns denoting objects without sex are neuter.
2. Nouns denoting objects whose sex is disregarded are neuter; as, It is a pretty child,
The wolf is the most savage of its race.
3. Colective nouns referring to a group of individuals as a unit are neuter; as, The jury
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gives its verdict, The committee makes its report.
An animal named may be regarded as masculine; feminine, or neuter, according to the
characteristics the writer fancies it to possess; as, The wolf seeks his prey, The mouse
nibbled her way into the box, The bird seeks its nest.
Certain nouns may be applied to persons of either sex. They are then said to be of
Common Gender. There are no pronouns of common gender; hence those nouns are
referred to as folows:
1. By masculine pronouns when known to denote males; as, My class-mate (known to be
Harry) is taking his examinations.
2. By feminine pronouns when known to denote females; as, Each of the pupils of the
Girls High School brought her book.
3. By masculine pronouns when there is nothing in the connection of the thought to show Page 15
the sex of the object; as, Let every person bring his book.
21. Number of Pronouns. A more common source of error than disagreement in gender
is disagreement in number. They, their, theirs, and them are plural, but are often improperly
used when only singular pronouns should be used. The cause of the error is failure to realize
the true antecedent.
If anybody makes that statement, they are misinformed. This sentence is wrong.
Anybody refers to only one person; both any and body, the parts of the word, denote the
singular. The sentence should read, If anybody makes that statement, he is misinformed.
Similarly, Let everybody keep their peace, should read, Let everybody keep his peace.
22. Compound Antecedents. Two or more antecedents connected by or or nor are
frequently referred to by the plural when the singular should be used. Neither John nor
James brought their books, should read, Neither John nor James brought his books.
When a pronoun has two or more singular antecedents connected by or or nor, the pronoun
must be in the singular number; but if one of the antecedents is plural, the pronoun must, also,
be in the plural; as, Neither the Mormon nor his wives denied their religion.
When a pronoun has two or more antecedents connected by and, the pronoun must be in
the plural number; as, John and James brought their books.
Further treatment of number wil be given under verbs.
EXERCISE 8
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the proper pronouns. See that there
is agreement in person, gender, and number:
1. Has everybody finished —— work.
2. If any one wishes a longer time, let —— hold up —— hand.
3. The panther sprang from —— lurking place.
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4. Many a man has (have) lost —— money in speculation.
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5. The cat came each day for —— bit of meat.
6. Everyone has to prove —— right to a seat.
7. Let every boy answer for —— self (selves).
8. The crowd was so great that we could hardly get through ——.
9. Let any boy guess this riddle if —— can.
10. Company H was greatly reduced in —— numbers.
11. Every animal has some weapon with which —— can defend ——self (selves).
12. Nowhere does each dare do as —— pleases (please).
13. The elephant placed —— great foot on the man's chest.
14. The child did not know —— mother.
15. Death gathers —— unfailing harvest.
16. Every kind of animal has —— natural enemies.
17. The committee instructed —— chairman to report the matter.
18. Two men were present, but neither would tel what —— saw.
19. Truth always triumphs over —— enemies.
20. Nobody did —— duty more readily than I.
21. The cat never fails to catch —— prey.
22. I have used both blue crayon and red crayon, but —— does (do) not write so clearly
as white.
23. If John and Henry whisper (whispers) —— wil be punished.
24. If John or Henry whisper (whispers) —— wil be punished.
25. Both Columbus and Cabot failed to realize the importance of —— discoveries.
26. Neither the lawyer nor the sheriff liked —— task.
27. The canary longed to escape from —— cage.
28. The rat ran to —— hole.
29. The dog seemed to know —— master was dead.
30. Everyone should try to gather a host of friends about ——.
31. If any one wishes to see me, send —— to the Pierce Building.
32. Probably everybody is discouraged at least once in —— life.
33. Nobody should deceive ——selves (self).
34. Let each take —— own seat.
35. Let each girl in the class bring —— book.
36. Let each bring —— book.
37. Let each bring —— sewing.
38. The fox dropped —— meat in the pool.
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39. The rock lay on —— side.
40. Let sleep enter with —— healing touch.
41. Each believed that —— had been elected a delegate to the Mother's Congress.
42. Consumption demands each year —— thousands of victims.
43. Summer arrays ——self (selves) with flowers.
44. Despair seized him in —— powerful grasp.
45. If any boy or any girl finds the book, let —— bring it to me.
46. Let every man and every woman speak ——mind.
47. Spring set forth —— beauties.
48. How does the mouse save —— self (selves) from being caught?
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49. The hen cackled —— loudest.
50. Some man or boy lost —— hat.
51. John or James wil favor us with —— company.
52. Neither the captain nor the soldiers showed ——self (selves) during the fight.
53. If the boys or their father come we shal be glad to see ——.
54. Every man and every boy received —— dinner.
55. Every man or boy gave —— offering.
EXERCISE 9
By what gender of the pronouns would you refer to the following nouns?
Snake, death, care, mercy, fox, bear, walrus, child, baby, friend (uncertain sex), friend
(known to be Mary), everybody, someone, artist, flower, moon, sun, sorrow, fate, student,
foreigner, Harvard University, earth, Germany?
23. Relative Pronouns. Relative Pronouns are pronouns used to introduce adjective or
noun clauses that are not interrogative. In the sentence, The man that I mentioned has
come, the relative clause, that I mentioned, is an adjective clause modifying man. In the
sentence, Whom she means, I do not know, the relative clause is, whom she means, and is
a noun clause forming the object of the verb know.
The relative pronouns are who ( whose, whom), which, that and what. But and as are Page 18
sometimes relative pronouns. There are, also, compound relative pronouns, which wil be
mentioned later.
24. Who (with its possessive and objective forms, whose and whom) should be used
when the antecedent denotes persons. When the antecedent denotes things or animals, which
should be used. That may be used with antecedents denoting persons, animals or things, and
is the proper relative to use when the antecedent includes both persons and things. What,
when used as a relative, seldom properly refers to persons. It always introduces a substantive
clause, and is equivalent to that which; as, It is what (that which) he wants.
25. That is known as the Restrictive Relative, because it should be used whenever the
relative clause limits the substantive, unless who or which is of more pleasing sound in the
sentence. In the sentence, He is the man that did the act, the relative clause, that did the
act, defines what is meant by man; without the relative clause the sentence clearly would be
incomplete. Similarly, in the sentence, The book that I want is that red-backed history, the
restrictive relative clause is, that I want, and limits the application of book.
26. Who and which are known as the Explanatory or Non-Restrictive Relatives, and
should be used ordinarily only to introduce relative clauses which add some new thought to
the author's principal thought. Spanish, which is the least complex language, is the
easiest to learn. In this sentence the principal thought is, Spanish is the easiest language to
learn. The relative clause, which is the least complex language, is a thought, which, though
not fuly so important as the principal thought, is more nearly coördinate than subordinate in
its value. It adds an additional thought of the speaker explaining the character of the Spanish
language. When who and which are thus used as explanatory relatives, we see that the Page 19
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relative clause may be omitted without making the sentence incomplete.
Compare the folowing sentences:
Explanatory relative clause: That book, which is about history, has a red cover.
Restrictive relative clause: The book that is about history has a red cover.
Explanatory relative clause: Lincoln, who was one of the world's greatest men, was
kiled by Booth.
Restrictive relative clause: The Lincoln that was killed by Booth was one of the world's
greatest men.
NOTE.—See §111, for rule as to the punctuation of relative clauses.
27. Interrogative Pronouns. An Interrogative Pronoun is a pronoun used to ask a
question. The interrogative pronouns are, who ( whose, whom), which, and what. In respect
to antecedents, who should be used only in reference to persons; which and what may be
used with any antecedent, persons, animals, or things.
EXERCISE 10
Choose the proper relative or interrogative pronoun to be inserted in each of the
following sentences. Insert commas where they are needed. ( See §111):
1. The kindly physician —— was so greatly loved is dead.
2. This is the man —— al are praising.
3. John —— is my coachman is sick.
4. The inteligence —— he displayed was remarkable.
5. Inteligence —— he had hitherto not manifested now showed its presence.
6. He maintains that the book —— you used is now ruined. (Does which or that have
the more pleasing sound here?)
7. The pleasure —— education gives the man —— has it is a sufficient reward for the
trouble —— it has cost.
8. That man —— wears a cap is a foreigner.
9. The best hotel is the one —— is nearest the station.
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10. Who is it —— is worthy of that honor?
11. The carriages and the drivers —— you ordered yesterday have arrived.
12. —— thing is it —— you want?
13. He purchased —— he wished.
14. There is no cloud —— has not its silver lining.
15. It is the same dog —— I bought.
16. The man and horse —— you see pass here every afternoon.
17. —— did they seek?
18. They inquired —— he was going to do.
19. Who was it —— lost the book?
20. The man —— was a Frenchman was very much excited.
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21. It is neither the party nor its candidate —— gains support.
22. That is a characteristic —— makes him seem almost rude.
23. It is the same tool —— I used al day.
24. He is a man —— inspires little confidence.
25. —— does he expect of us?
26. It is just such a thing —— I need.
27. There are few —— wil vote for him.
28. The wagon and children —— you just saw came from our town.
29. He —— writes out his lesson does al —— can be expected.
30. Was it you or the cat —— made that noise?
31. It is the same song —— he always sings.
32. Such —— I have is yours.
33. Al the men and horses —— we had were lost.
34. That is —— pleased me most and —— everyone talked about.
35. The horse was one —— I had never ridden before.
36. That is —— everyone said.
28. Case Forms of Pronouns. Some personal, relative, and interrogative pronouns have
distinctive forms for the different cases, and the failure to use the proper case forms in the
sentence is one of the most frequent sources of error. The case to be used is to be
determined by the use which the pronoun, not its antecedent, has in the sentence. In the
sentence, I name him, note that him is the object of the verb name. In the sentence, Whom
do you seek, although coming at the first of the sentence, whom is grammaticaly the object Page 21
of the verb seek. In the use of pronouns comes the most important need for a knowledge of
when to use the different cases.
Note the folowing different case forms of pronouns:
Nominative: I, we, you, thou, ye, he, she, they, it, who.
Objective: me, us, you, thee, ye, him, her, it, them, whom.
Possessive: my, mine, our, ours, thy, thine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, their, theirs,
whose.
It wil be noted that, while some forms are the same in both the nominative and objective
cases, I, we, he, she, they, thou, and who are only proper where the nominative case
should be used. Me, us, him, them, thee, whom, and her, except when her is possessive,
are only proper when the objective case is demanded. These forms must be
remembered. It is only with these pronouns that mistakes are made in the use of the
nominative and objective cases.
29. The following outline explains the use of the different case forms of the
pronouns. The outline should be mastered.
The Nominative Case should be used:
1. When the noun or pronoun is the subject of a finite verb; that is, a verb other than an
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infinitive. See 3 under Objective Case.
2. When it is an attribute complement. An attribute complement, as explained in Chapter I,
is a word used in the predicate explaining or stating something about the subject. Examples: It
is I, The man was he, The people were they of whom we spoke.
3. When it is used without relation to any other part of speech, as in direct address or
exclamation.
The Objective Case should be used:
1. When the noun or pronoun is the object of a verb; as, He named me, She deceived
them, They watch us.
2. When it is the object of a preposition, expressed or understood: as, He spoke of me,
For whom do you take me, He told (to) me a story.
3. When it is the subject of an infinitive; as, I told him to go, I desire her to hope. The
infinitives are the parts of the verb preceded by to; as, to go, to see, to be, to have been
seen, etc. The sign of the infinitive, to, is not always expressed. The objective case is, Page 22
nevertheless, used; as, Let him (to) go, Have her (to be) told about it.
4. When it is an attribute complement of an expressed subject of the infinitive to be; as,
They believed her to be me, He denied it to have been him. (See Note 2 below.)
The Possessive Case should be used:
When the word is used as a possessive modifier; as, They spoke of her being present,
The book is his (book), It is their fault.
NOTE 1.—When a substantive is placed by the side of another substantive and is used to
explain it, it is said to be in Apposition with that other substantive and takes the case of that
word; as, It was given to John Smith, him whom you see there.
NOTE 2.—The attribute complement should always have the case of that subject of the
verb which is expressed in the sentence. Thus, in the sentence, I could not wish John to be
him, him is properly in the objective case, since there is an expressed subject of the infinitive,
John, which is in the objective case. But in the sentence, I should hate to be he, he is
properly in the nominative case, since the only subject that is expressed in the sentence is I, in
the nominative case.
NOTE 3.—Where the relative pronoun who (whom) is the subject of a clause that itself is
the object clause of a verb or a preposition, it is always in the nominative case. Thus the
folowing sentences are both correct: I delivered it to who owned it, Bring home whoever
will come with you.
EXERCISE 11
Write sentences illustrating the correct use of each of the following pronouns:
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I, whom, who, we, me, us, they, whose, theirs, them, she, him, he, its, mine, our, thee,
thou.
EXERCISE 12
In the following sentences choose the proper form from the words in italics:
1. My brother and I me drove to the east end of the town.
2. Between you and I me things are doubtful.
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3. May James and I me go to the circus?
4. Wil you permit James and I me to go to the play?
5. Who made that noise? Only I me.
6. He introduced us al, I me among the rest.
7. He promised to bring candy to Helen and I me.
8. Was it I me that you asked for?
9. Who spoke? I me.
10. I am taken to be he him.
11. No, it could not have been me I.
12. Al have gone but you and I me.
13. You suffer more than me I.
14. Everyone has failed in the examination except you and I me.
15. He asked you and I me to come to his office.
16. See if there is any mail for Mary and me I.
17. N