Antecedents of pronouns
It is a word that comes before a pronoun to which the
pronoun refers. Following are definitions of antecedent as well as a review
about the types of pronoun, information about the functions of an antecedent in
a sentence, and examples of how to use in a sentence.
Rules :
1)
if
the antecedent is singular then the pronoun is singular
2)
If
the subjects are joined by an “and” then the pronoun needs to be plural:
-
Tina and April took their books
3)
If
the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor”, then have the pronoun agree with the
subject that is closer, or closest, to the pronoun.
-
Either
the singers or the actor messed up his performance.
4)
If
the pronoun is referring to one thing or a unit, like a team or a jury, then
the pronoun needs to be singular.
-
The
jury has reached its
verdict.
-
Measles is not as widespread as it once was.
5)
The
singular indefinite pronouns need a singular pronoun: one, no one, some one,
everyone, anyone, nobody, anybody, somebody, everybody, nothing, anything,
something, everything, each, either, neither.
-
Everything here has its
own box.
6)
The
plural indefinite pronouns: several, both, few, and many, need to have a plural
pronoun
-
Several are there because of their looks.
7)
Indefinite
pronoun that is being modified
by a prepositional phrase, then the object of the phrase will determine the
agreement between the pronoun and its antecedent. These special indefinite
pronouns are: some, most, all, any, or none.
-
Most
of the flour fell out of its canister (Flour is uncountable)
-
Many
of the gems have lost their shine If the object (Gems is countable)
Dangling construction
A dangling construction is a group of words that the
writer intends to be a modifier for a noun or phrase but the noun or phrase is
not actually in the sentence. Instead, the modifier erroneously describes
a noun or phrase that is in the sentence -- sometimes with
humorous results. Here are some examples.
·
After eating, the waiter gave us the
bill. (The sentence grammar says the waiter did the eating but that's not what
the writer really means.)
·
While running, my shoe lost its heel. (I
couldn’t slow that shoe down!)
·
To avoid extinction, researchers hope to
breed in captivity.
·
After taking a three-month bicycle trip
through Montana, my dog was happy to see me.
·
After reading the book, the movie is
going to be great.
·
Wrapped in wax paper, the picnickers couldn't
see if the sandwiches were tuna or egg salad.
·
Rolling down the hill, Larry saw an
avalance of rocks approaching.
·
After placing bets, the horses headed to
the starting gate.
·
Similar to dangling modifiers are misplaced modifiers.
·
I saw penguins on a trip to the zoo. (I
hope the penguins enjoyed their visit!)
·
Jake shot an elephant in his pajamas.
(Jake never did explain how the elephant got into his PJ’s).
·
Mike caught the fly ball running
backwards.
·
I found a lottery ticket walking home.
