Pronouns

Pronouns are used in sentences to replace nouns. Without pronouns, writers would be forced to keep repeating the same noun over and over again. Several problems can arise when using pronouns. First, the pronoun must be the same type as the noun it is replacing (pronoun agreement). Second, since pronouns replace specific nouns in sentences, writers have to be careful that it is always clear which particular noun a particular pronoun is replacing (pronoun reference). Finally, different pronouns serve different functions, and it is important that the right pronoun be used (pronoun forms).

Agreement

For instance, you does not make sense as a replacement for the noun Kim in the following sentence:

Kim is always tired which is why you don't get much work done. (Kim is 3rd person, you 2nd person)

The sentence should read

Kim is always tired which is why she doesn't get much work done. (both are now feminine 3rd person)

Nor will their work as a replacement for everyone in the next sentence, even though we often use it like this:

Everyone should bring their book to class. (Everyone is singular and their is plural)

The sentence should read

Everyone should bring his or her book to class. (both are now singular)

or

Students should bring their books to class. (both are now plural)

Pronoun reference

Pronoun reference problems occur when it isn't clear which noun a pronoun is replacing (Note: the noun that a pronoun replaces is called the pronoun's antecedent). In the following sentence, the pronouns could refer to either noun:

The dog chased the cat. He bit her.

Usually, to correct a pronoun reference problem, either use the noun instead of replacing it with the pronoun, or reword the sentences so that it is clear which noun the pronoun replaces. In most cases, it is simpler to simply use the noun instead of the pronoun.

Pronoun forms

A third problem with pronouns occurs when the wrong form of the pronoun is used. In the following sentence, Dave is the subject of the sentence and Mike is the object of the preposition of:

Dave threw the football to Mike.

In this sentence, Mike is a subject noun, and Dave is an object noun:

Mike kicked the football to Dave.

The two nouns do not look any different, regardless of whether they are used as subjects or objects. Pronouns are different. Only certain pronouns are used as the subjects of sentences:

Subject Pronouns
Person	Singular	Plural
First	I	We
Second	You	You
Third	He, She, It	They

There are also only certain pronouns which can be used as objects in a sentence (whether as direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions):

Object Pronouns
Person	Singular	Plural
First	me	us
Second	you	you
Third	him, her, it	them

So, if we replace the nouns in our first example with pronouns, we end up with the sentence:

Original sentence with nouns: Dave threw the football to Mike.
Nouns replaced with pronouns: He threw the football to him.

If we replace the nouns in the second sentence, the sentence reads

Original sentence with nouns: Mike kicked the football to Dave.
Nouns replaced with pronouns: He kicked the football to him.

Notice that in the first sentence, he replaces Dave, and him replaces Mike while in the second sentence he replaces Mike, and him replaces Dave. Pronouns do not remain attached to certain nouns (he isn't always Dave). Pronouns are substituted according to the function needed (use a subject pronoun when a subject is needed and an object pronoun when an object is needed).

Pronouns in compound phrases: A common problem with pronouns is to substitute object pronouns for subject pronouns and vice versa when pronouns appear in compound phrases. Example:

Incorrect: Me and him went fishing.
Correct: He and I went fishing. (need subject pronouns)

Incorrect: My mother bought clothes for Joe and I.
Correct: My mother bought clothes for Joe and me. (need object pronoun)

Pronoun agreement with indefinite pronouns: Probably the most common pronoun agreement error is to use plural pronouns to refer back to singular indefinite pronouns. Example:

Incorrect: Everyone should bring their book to class.

Correct: Everyone should bring his or her book to class.
(Since Everyone, a singular, could refer to either males or females, both pronouns must be used.)

Correct: Students should bring their books to class.
(Usually, the most fluid correction involves replacing the indefinite pronoun with a specific plural subject which can then be the antecedent to plural pronouns.)

Pronouns and antecedents joined by linking verbs: When a linking verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, seem, feel, taste) connects a pronoun with its antecedent, both are the same case and number (case: both are subjects or both are objects; number: both are singular or both are plural). Example:

It is I (both subjects)

Pronouns in comparisons: When a pronoun is used in a comparison, the pronoun is the same case as the thing it is being compared to. One way to check the case is to complete the sentence. Examples:

My mother likes my sister better than me (My mother likes my sister better than she likes me)
He is taller than I. (He is taller than I am)

Confusing homonyms: Because these words sound alike, they are frequently confused:

their (possessive 3rd person plural)	whose (possessive form of who)	its (possessive form of 3rd person singular it)
they're (contraction of they are)	who's (contraction of who is)	it's (contraction of it is)
there (opposite of here)

Although not actually homonyms, students also sometimes confuse these words:

were (past tense plural of to be)

where (refers to a location--here)

Confusing pronouns in relative clauses: Always use a form of the word who when referring to people instead of using the pronoun that. Example:

Awkward: He is the man that lives next door.
Preferred: He is the man who lives next door.

Sometimes students confuse the forms of who. Who should be used when the noun the clause relates to is the subject of the relative clause, whom should only be used when the noun the clause relates to is the object of the relative clause, and whose should only be used when the noun the clause relates to is a possessive. Examples:

I have trouble with the man who lives next door.
(The man lives next door: a subject pronoun is needed)

I have trouble with the man whom I saw beating the neighbor's dog.
( I saw the man beating the neighbor's dog: an object pronoun is needed)

The neighbor whose dog was beaten reported the man to the S.P.C.A.
(The neighbor reported the man who beat the neighbor's dog: a possessive pronoun is needed)

Demonstrative pronouns: The main problem here is that students mix up the singular and plural forms. These is the plural form of this. Those is the plural form of that.

Incorrect forms: Although sometimes used, the following are not words: theirself, theirselves, hisself.

Missing antecedents: Sometimes a pronoun is used when the noun the pronoun refers to (its antecedent) is assumed by the writer but doesn't actually appear. Remember, a pronoun is used for a noun. Except for the pronoun I, the noun which the pronoun replaces must be used before the pronoun can replace the noun. Examples:

Incorrect: I was working on my car when this man came up to me.
Correct: I was working on my car when a man came up to me.
(The man has not been previously mentioned, so this cannot be used to point to him)

Incorrect: I work very hard in all my classes, and I do everything I can to be successful, but sometimes I still don't do well. I don't understand why they can't give me a passing grade for trying.
Correct: I work very hard in all my classes, and I do everything I can to be successful, but sometimes I still don't do well. I don't understand why my teachers can't give me a passing grade for trying.
(The writer assumes the reader will know that the writer is referring to the teachers of the classses, but the writer has not actually mentioned the teachers.)