- Explain your topic/concept in your own words
- Explain its purpose in writing clearly
- Describe what happens in writing when it is used incorrectly
- Describe common errors
- Give examples of errors from your essay
- Show how you fixed each error
- Be clear and concise
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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By Ying and Ewelina
ReplyDeleteMay 1, 2009
Aim: What are pronouns and what do we use them for?
Pronouns are words that replace or refer to a noun in the sentence.
The words that pronouns replace or refer to in a sentence are the antecedent.
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in numbers, person, and gender.
The purpose of pronouns is to replace or refer to the antecedent in the sentence and prevent repetition. It also provides conciseness in the sentence.
Although, it is important to add the antecedent once in a while to remind the reader of whom they are talking about.
When using pronouns incorrectly, the reader becomes confused with what or whom the pronouns are referring to.
Common errors:
1. Sometimes the antecedent is not identified first because the writer assumes the reader knows who the writer is referring to; also because the writer forgets as well.
2. There is also the common mistake of confusing two singular antecedent joined by “or” or “nor” as a plural antecedent and not singular.
First common error example:
Nectar in a Sieve is told through a first person point of view. Through her views she illustrates the hardships her family went through and the corruption of her first born daughter.
There is no antecedent indentified in the second sentence. Therefore, the reader does not know whom the writer is referring to.
Correction of the first common error:
Nectar in a Sieve is told through a first person point of view. Through Rukmani’s views she illustrates the hardships her family went through and the corruption of her first born daughter.
Rukmani is the antecedent here. The pronouns here are “She” and “Her.”
Second common error example:
Neither Bob nor Bill received their report card grades.
The incorrect pronoun here is “Their.” They are not plural pronouns that are joined by “and.”
Correction of the second common error example:
Neither Bob nor Bill received his report card grades.
Neither Bob nor Bill is the singular antecedents in this sentence and the pronoun is “His.”