M E YC AU AYA N C O L L E G E

J U N I O R H I G H S C H O O L D E PA RT M E N T

E N G L I S H F O R C U LT U R A L L I T E R A C Y 1 0

U N I T I I I : P O E T RY F O R C U LT U R A L
A P P R E C I AT I O N
Using pronouns
eff ectively
Guessing game
M O T I VAT I ON : S H O RT E NE R GI Z E R

Ta s k : Yo u r t a s k i s t o g u e s s w h a t c o m e s b e f o r e o r r i g h t a f t e r t h e
displayed picture on the screen. Raise your hand if you
k n o w t h e a n s w e r.

? FOUR FIVE
Guessing game
M O T I VAT I ON : S H O RT E NE R GI Z E R

?
ELPIDIO QUIRINO RA M O N M AG S AY S AY
Guessing game
M O T I VAT I ON : S H O RT E NE R GI Z E R

KIMMY
?
HARITH
Guessing game
M O T I VAT I ON : S H O RT E NE R GI Z E R

HALLOWEEN
?
CHRISTMAS
 ESSENTIAL
QUESTION
H O W C A N W E AVO I D T H E C O M M O N M I S TA K E S
I N U S I N G P R O N O U N S I N O U R D A I LY
DISCOURSE?
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y

Using pronouns effectively is important if you want your communication to be

clear and correct. However, some writers (and speakers) make the common
mistake of using pronouns that do not refers to the correct noun. This creates
confusion on the part of the reader (and listeners); hence, meaning becomes
obscure or unclear. The antecedent is the word to which the pronoun refers.

A pronoun needs to refer clearly to a specific noun or antecedent. No other

nouns with the same gender or number should appear between the
pronoun and its antecedent.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

1. A phrase or clause between the subject and verb does not change
the
number of the antecedent.
antecedent pronoun

Example: A fleet of cars shows the opulence of its model.

singular

prepositional phrase

Example: An army of ants prepares for its food and shelter.

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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

2. Indefinite pronouns, as antecedents

a. Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents require singular pronoun

referents.

Each, either, neither, one, no one, nobody, nothing, anyone, anybody,

anything, someone, somebody, something, everyone, everybody,
everything.
Example: Each of the girls in the team does her best to score.

singular Singular because of each; feminine gender

because of girls.

No one in this company will lose his/her job.

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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

2. Indefinite pronouns, as antecedents

b. Plural indefinite pronoun antecedents require plural pronoun referents.

Several, few, both, many

Example: Both stories convey their untimely message of love
for nature.
plural plural

Several employees in this company received their

13th month pay bonus before Christmas.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

3. Compound subjects joined by and always take a plural referent.

Example: The boy and the girl in the school play read quietly

plural

while their speech teacher waits.

plural

Harry and Hermione received magical hats from

their friend, Ron.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

4. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun

agrees
with the1:
Example antecedent
(pluralcloser to the
antecedent pronoun.
closer to the pronoun)
Neither the tiger nor the lions escaped their hunters.

singular plural plural

Either the adviser or the students will present their class gift.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

4. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun

agrees
with the2:
Example antecedent closer
(singular to the pronoun.
antecedent closer to the pronoun)
Neither the ladies nor the gentleman escaped his hunters.

plural singular singular

Either the contestants or Bok-joo will received her medal.

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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

5. Collective nouns (team, crowd, jury, faculty, etc.) may be singular or

plural, depending on their meaning.
Example 1: A herd of cows rushed to its owner when the new

singular singular
farmer arrived.

In this example the herd is acting as one unit;

therefore, the referent pronoun is singular.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

5. Collective nouns (team, crowd, jury, faculty, etc.) may be singular or

plural, depending on their meaning.
Example 2: The ten English faculty members supported their

plural plural
candidates for the debate.

In this example the faculty members are acting as ten

individuals; therefore, the referent pronoun is
plural.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

6. Titles of single entities (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take

singular referents.
Example 1: The Dead Stars on the wide cinema screen made its

singular singular
characters seem realistic.

Example 2: The Philippines is on its way to becoming the tourist

singular singular

capital of Asia.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

7. Plural forms of subjects with a singular meaning take a singular

referent
(news, physics,
Example: economics,
Economics is a etc.)
popular field study for college students

singular
because of its promise of good jobs.

singular

She doesn’t want to hear any news because of its horrible

effect to her mental state.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

7. Plural forms of subjects with a singular meaning take a singular

referent
(news, physics,
Example: economics,
Economics etc.) field study for college students
is a popular

singular
because of its promise of good jobs.

singular

She doesn’t want to hear any news because of its horrible

effect to her mental state.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

8. Every or Many a before a noun or a series of noun requires a singular

referent.
Example 1: Every Juan and Pedro should cast his vote on election day.

singular singular

Example 2: Many a life has suffered in its effort to fulfill a dream

singular singular
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
Pronoun-Antecedent Rules:

9. The number or A number followed by of prepositional phrase with

plural
object:
ExampleThe
1: number is singular;
The number A number
of endangered is plural.
species increases its number each
singular
singular prepositional phrase with
plural object
year.

Example 2: A number of young girls volunteered to collect for their class

plural
plural prepositional phrase with
plural object
project.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
SHORT EXERCISE:
Direction: Choose the correct pronoun in each sentence below. Be prepared to
defend your answer.

1. During examination, students may forget (his/her, their) correct answer.

Answer: Their – refers to the plural noun students.
2. The planning team was opportunistic; (it, they) tool advantage of every break.
Answer: It – refers to the collective noun team.
3. A person needs to see (his/her, their) doctor once a year.
Answer: His or her – refers to the singular noun person.
4. The faculty members put (its, their) signatures on the prepared curriculum.
Answer: Their – refers to individual members of the faculty.
5. If anyone of the religious leaders needs a ride, (he/she, they) can call my attention.
Answer: He or she – singular indefinite pronoun anyone.
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U s i n g p r o n o u n s e ff e c t i v e l y
SHORT EXERCISE:
Direction: Choose the correct pronoun in each sentence below. Be prepared to
defend your answer.

6. When someone has been texting while driving (he/she, they) may drive properly.
Answer: He/she – indefinite pronoun someone.
7. Neither the principal nor the teachers gave (his/her, their) opinion about the
new policy. Answer: Their – plural antecedent teachers is closer to the pronoun.
8. Each of these restaurant had (its, their) kitchens inspected.
Answer: Its – singular indefinite pronoun each.
9. Some of the jewelry has lost (its, their) luster.
Answer: Their – plural antecedent some.
10. If the administration controls the school, (it, they) may vote for tuition fee
increase. Answer: It – singular collective noun administration.