Composition 2

1. A pronoun is a substitute for a noun.
a. Many pronouns have antecedents – nouns or pronouns to which they refer
b. A pronoun and its antecedent agree – both singular or both plural
Maggie ate her apple
The students went to their classes
Wrong:
The students went to his classes
2. Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific subjects. Ex: anyone, everybody
a. They may seem to have plural meanings, but you have to treat them as singulars in formal English
Everyone performs at his or her own academic level
Wrong:
Everyone performs at their own academic level
3. Avoid ambiguous pronoun references.
a. A pronoun could refer to two possible antecedents
Wrong: The teacher gave the student her notes.
Right: The teacher gave her notes to the student.
4. Avoid vague references of this, that, which, and it.
a. This, that, which, and it should refer to specific antecedents instead of whole ideas and sentences.
Wrong: By advertising on television, clothing companies gain exposure for their products. Customers respond to this by shopping for clothing they might not need.
Right: By advertising on television, clothing companies gain exposure for their products. Customers respond to the ads by shopping for clothing they might not need.
5. Avoid the frequent use of they, it, and you.
a. Do not use the pronoun they to refer to persons who have not been specifically mentioned. They should always refer to a specific antecedent.
Wrong: Because of the inflation, they had to reduce interest rates.
Right: Because of the inflation, Federal Reserve had to reduce interest rates.