$5.$ Tutorial $5$: Pronouns: Reference

Pronoun Reference

Linguistically, pronouns are words that refer to people by replacing proper nouns, like names. A pronoun can refer to either a person talking or a person who is being talked about. Common pronouns include they$/$them$/$theirs$,$ she$/$her$/$hers$,$ and he$/$him$/$his$.$ Pronouns indicate the gender of a person; traditionally, he refers to males while she refers to females. The English language does not have a gender$-$neutral third$-$person singular personal pronoun, but in recent years they has gained considerable traction in this role. They has been officially recognized as correct by several key bodies such as the Associated Press. Similarly, the Chicago Manual of Style now notes that the singular "they" is common in informal communication $($while acknowledging that it has yet to attain the same ubiquity in formal spaces$).$

Antecedents are the words or phrases to which a pronoun refers. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender. Thus, words such as everybody, anybody, anyone, each, neither, nobody, and someone, which are considered singular, take singular pronouns.

Example

Explanation

The team members finished their presentation and invited questions from the audience. Their is a possessive pronoun referring to members. Members is a plural noun, so the pronoun that refers to it must be plural as well.

All employees at the meeting received their renewal contracts. Their is a possessive pronoun referring to employees. Employees is a plural noun, so the pronoun that refers to it must be plural as well.

Pronouns must also clearly refer to a specific noun. Vague pronouns confuse the reader because they have no clear antecedent. The most troublesome pronouns are it$,$ which, this, and that. To avoid confusion, replace vague pronouns with concrete nouns or make sure to provide clear antecedents.

Example

Explanation

The company announced it would be hiring $12$ new part$-$time employees. It is a nominative pronoun referring to the antecedent company. Collective nouns are considered singular $($in the United States, at least; in Britain, collective nouns are generally considered plural$).$

Jack and I have applied for a patent, and we are seeking financial backing for a product launch. I is a nominative pronoun. Note that the pronoun myself was not used here. Use pronouns ending in $$self $($known as reflexive pronouns$)$ only when they refer to previously mentioned nouns or pronouns. We refers to Jack and I, the only plural subject directly preceding we$.$

Checkpoint

Which of the following sentences use clear and correct pronoun references? Check all that apply.

Overwhelming enthusiasm for the new PPO benefits option showed the company that it had made a wise choice.

Ms$.$ Ivanov thanked her coworkers for $35$ enjoyable years with the company. She then removed her company$-$issued ID badge and tossed it in the air.

He leaped and grabbed it out of the air. Then he thanked her for her service.

The report indicated they thought this was a good option.