Correct Usages of Pronouns

Correct Usages of Pronouns :

A Pronoun must be in the same person, number and gender as the Antecedent or Noun that it stands for. But its case depends upon its own sentence.

1. After Caesar was declared emperor (Nominative), they slew him (Accusative).

2. You must return the book (Accusative) which (Nominative) was lent to you.

3. I am not one of those who find fault with everyone they (not I) meet.

The Objective form of the Pronoun (me, him, her, us, them) must be used….

(a) when it is the Object of a Preposition.

(b) when it is placed after the Verb TO BE and this Infinitive is preceded by a Transitive Verb with its Object.

(c) when it is placed after the Adjectives like, unlike or near.

1. Between you and me (not I), that boy is a dunce.
2. There is enough room for you and me (not I).
3. They invited my friend and me (not I) to tea.
4. No one can swim or dive like him (not he).
5. Let you and me (not I) do it together.

A Relative Pronoun, if it has two Antecedents, and these are not of the same person, agrees in person with the Antecedent nearest to it.

1. You are the man who has been chosen.
2. I am the man who seeks to help people in distress.
3. I who am standing here wrote that letter.
4. I am not the kind of person who is unable to keep a secret.
5. I who am most concerned have not been consulted.
6. I am the person who is most concerned.

A Relative Pronoun agrees with its Antecedent in Gender, Number and Person.

1. This is one of the most interesting books that have (not has) ever been printed. (The Antecedent of that is books….not one book.)

2. He is one of those people who know (not knows) everything.
3. He is one of the greatest leaders that have (not has) ever lived.

Sometimes a Pronoun is inserted where it is not required.

The candidate being a graduate, he is eligible for the post.

In the above sentence, the pronoun HE is not needed.

The correct sentence is…

The candidate, being a graduate, is eligible for the post.

Relative and Antecedent :

A Relative Pronoun or Relative Adverb must always be placed as close as possible to its Antecedent.

I have read a translation of Plato's writings, who succeeded Socrates.

Here it would have been better to say….the writings of Plato who succeeded….because by this change the Relative and its Antecedent are not separated by the word WRITINGS.

The correct sentence is…

I have read a translation of the writings of Plato who succeeded Socrates.

Note that the Distributive Pronouns EITHER and NEITHER should never be used of more than two persons or things and the Verb should be Singular.

1. Neither of the two boys was invited.
2. Neither of the two statements is true.
3. He asked me whether either of the brothers was working here.
4. Either of the roads leads to the post office.

ANY ONE or ANY should be used in speaking of more than two persons or things.

1. She was more beautiful than either of her three sisters. (WRONG)
2. She was more beautiful than any one of her three sisters. (RIGHT)
3. I did not buy either of the four books. (WRONG)
4. I did not buy any one of the four books. (RIGHT)

RELATED PAGES :

Correct Usages of Pronouns :

Correct Usages of Pronouns To HOME PAGE

The Sentences Index

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