Grammar Essentials For Dummies

Chapter 3

Perfecting Your Pronoun Usage

IN THIS CHAPTER

Matching pronouns with nouns

Distinguishing between singular and plural pronouns

Wielding possessive pronouns like a pro

Selecting nonsexist pronouns

Pronouns are words that substitute for nouns. Even though they’re useful, pronouns can also be pesky because English has many different types of pronouns, each governed by its own set of rules. In this chapter I concentrate on how to avoid the most common errors associated with this part of speech.

Playing Matchmaker with Pronouns and Nouns

To make the right pronoun choices, first take a close look at how pronouns are paired with nouns. A pronoun’s meaning can vary from sentence to sentence. Think of pronouns as the ultimate substitute teachers: One day they’re solving quadratic equations, and the next they’re doing push-ups in the gym. Such versatility comes from the fact that pronouns don’t have identities of their own; instead, they stand in for nouns. In a few situations, pronouns even stand in for other pronouns. I discuss pronoun-pronoun pairs later in this chapter.

To choose ...