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| Arup Roy, Lecturer in English Language & Literature, Kanchkura University College |
INTRODUCTION
Pronoun sits in the place of noun. Look at the following example:
- Rohan is a good student. He likes to read books.
Here, Rohan is noun and he is pronoun. He has replaced noun.
In some sentences, there may be two or more nouns or antecedents. Therefore, we find it difficult to understand which noun (antecedent) is being referred by the pronoun we have used.
In some sentences antecedent remains hidden. Therefore, the pronoun used in the sentence refers to other parts of speech in the guise of noun. But we should be careful about the fact that pronoun only replaces noun, not any other part of speech.
Again, in some sentences antecedents may remain absent. Therefore, the pronoun used in the sentence refer to other parts of speech. But we know that pronoun only refers to noun or noun phrase. These kinds of unclear usage of pronoun is called pronoun reference error. I hope following discussion can clarify your conception.
DISCUSSION
MORE THAN ONE ANTECEDENT
Example:
ü I saw a bear and a tiger yesterday. It was approaching me.
Explanation
Here, it has no strong noun antecedent. Therefore, for a reader, it is very difficult to understand whether the bear or the tiger was approaching me.
So, here usage of pronoun is faulty or unclear because it has two antecedents (BEAR and TIGER)
Correct Answer
ü I saw a bear and a tiger yesterday. The tiger was approaching me.
So, we should keep in mind that a pronoun should have one antecedent which is correct and clear.
More examples
ü Rahim and Karim went to Market and he bought a book. (incorrect)
ü Rahim and Karim went to Market and Rahim bought a book. (correct)
ü Rahim and Karim went to market and Karim bought a book.. (correct)
ü The players assured the supporters of enjoying the facilities. (incorrect)
ü The players told the supporters that they themselves were expecting facilities.
HIDDEN ANTECEDENT
When antecedent of pronoun works like adjective instead of noun, faulty pronoun reference emerge.
ü The ice cream box was empty, but we were tired of eating it.
Here, we want to mean that we were tired of eating ice cream. But, through the above sentence, readers may think that ice cream box was being eaten.
When two nouns sit side by side, first one behaves like adjective. In the above example, we can notice two nouns (ice cream and box) sitting side by side. Therefore, ice cream is adjective and it is working as hidden antecedent. Here, we should write down the antecedent clearly.
The correct answer is:
The ice-cream box was empty, but we were tired of eating ice-cream.
The correct answer is:
The ice-cream box was empty, but we were tired of eating ice-cream.
ABSENCE OF ANTECEDENT
When a pronoun is used without any antecedent, it becomes faulty.
ü Though he was rich, he made no use of it.
In the above example, it has no antecedent to refer. We know that antecedent of pronoun is always noun. Here, rich is adjective, not noun. So, rich cannot be the antecedent of it. So, we can write the sentence in following way:
ü Though he was rich, he made no use of his riches.
BASIC RULES OF PRONOUN REFERENCE
1. Pronoun is used in response to the number of noun. If noun is singular, pronoun is singular.
ü Incorrect: Everyone is trying their best to do well in the exam.
ü Correct: Everyone is trying his / her best to do well in the exam.
2. Pronoun is always used in response to its preceding noun.
ü Incorrect: If a person works hard you will succeed.
ü Correct: if a person works hard, he/she will succeed.
3. Pronoun never refers to possessive noun because possessive noun always works like adjective. So, we cannot replace any possessive noun by a pronoun.
ü Incorrect: In the teacher’s attitude he was very impartial.
ü Correct: The teacher’s attitude was very impartial.
ü Correct: The teacher was very impartial in his attitude
4. Antecedent has to be explicit.
ü Incorrect: In case of reducing pollution they opined that public awareness is a must.
ü Correct: In case of reducing pollution the expert opined that public awareness is a must.
Correct: You kill time and that is unwanted.
5. As “This”, “That” and “Which” can refer complete sentence, paragraph or single noun, we need to use them with clarity to avoid ambiguity.
Incorrect: The teacher accused the student of copying in the exam. It was unfair.
Correct: The teacher’s accusation of copying in the examination was unfair.
6. Who refers preceding antecedent of person and which refers animal or things.
Incorrect: I met the boy that is your friend.
Correct: I met the friend who is your friend.
Incorrect: This is the book who I want.
Correct: This is the book which / that I want.
7. One singular noun has one antecedent
Incorrect: Azim has invited Azad to his house. Now Azim and Azad are going to their house.
Correct: Azim has invited Azad to his house. Now Azim and Azad are going to Azim’s house.
Noun Pronoun Agreement
1. When two subjects preceded by each or every are joined by and, we use singular pronoun.
Incorrect: Every clerk and every peon should do their duties.
Correct: Every clerk every peon should do his duty.
2. Two or more nouns joined by and take plural verb.
Incorrect: Kazol and Sajal are attentive in his lesson.
Correct: Kazoland Sajol are attentive in their lessons.
3. Two nouns joined by or, either-----or, neither…….nor follow singular pronoun.
Incorrect: Either Noman or Mahbub did their homework.
Correct: Either Noman or Mahbub did his homework.
4. If one singular noun and one plural noun are joined by or, nor, we take plural pronoun.
Incorrect: Either the teachers or the headmaster has succeeded in his attempt.
Correct: Either the teachers or the Headmaster have succeeded in their attempt.
Incorrect: Neither the teachers nor the headmaster has succeeded in his attempt.
Correct: Neither the teachers nor the Headmaster have succeeded in their attempt.
5. Pronoun used in the place of collective noun becomes singular number and Neuter Gender. Then singular form of verb is used. But, in case of Noun of Multitude, the pronoun becomes plural and plural form of verb is used.
The jury was divided in its opinion.
The jury were divided in their opinion.
6. Number, gender or person is determined on the basis of pronoun used in the place of noun.
The girl lost her book (not his)
She is a poetess (not poet)
7. In the case of first person, second person and third person in the same sentence, we use second person followed by third person and first person.
Incorrect: I, you and he are friends.
Correct: You, he and I are friends.
8. If first person is used with other noun or pronoun, plural form of pronoun of first person is used.
Incorrect: He and I did his best.
Correct: He and I did our best.
Incorrect: You and your supporters are guilty for their evil motives.
Correct: You and your supporters are guilty for your evil motives.
Now, your task is to practice; your task is to solve modal questions. The more you practice, the better insight you will develop.