Exercise 93

Draw a line connecting each pronoun with its antecedent:

1. John has recited his lesson.

2.

The eagle soars above his nest.

3. The jury was a long time in reaching its decision.

4. As the ground was before, thus let it be.

5. Let every pupil use his own book.

6. The poor widow lost her only son.

7. The village master taught his little school. 8. Keep thy tongue from evil.

9. The boys said they did not wish to go.

Exercise 94

SPECIAL RULES

Antecedents connected by and

I. When a pronoun represents two or more antecedents in the singular connected by and, it must be plural. Example: The secretary and the treasurer have made their reports.

2. When, however, the antecedents are but different names for the same person or thing, the pronoun must be singular.

Example: The eminent lawyer and statesman has resigned his office.

3. When two or more antecedents connected by and, are preceded by each, every, or no, the pronoun must be singular. Example: There is no day and no hour without its

cares.

4. When the antecedents taken together are regarded as a single thing, the pronoun must be singular.

Example: The horse and wagon is in its place.

Tell which of the italicized words is correct, and why:

I.

Each man and each boy did his-their duty.

2. Every hill and every mountain has its their reports.

3. The secretary and treasurer has made his-their reports.

4. The secretary and the treasurer have made his-their reports.

5. Bread and butter have has its their place on nearly everyone's table.

6. Your coat and hat is-are in its-their place.

7. The child wants some bread and milk. Will you get it-them?

8. Every citizen and soldier must be ready to guard his their country's honor.

9. Every house and lot has—have its—their price set opposite its their number.

10. Every street and alley was filled to its—their capacity.

Exercise 95

Antecedents connected by or or nor

I. A pronoun with two or more antecedents in the singular, connected by or or nor, must be singular.

Example: Neither James nor John recited his lesson. 2. When one of the antecedents is plural, it should be placed last, and the pronoun should be plural:

Example: Neither the general nor his soldiers realized their danger.

I.

Either Mary or Ellen will lend you her-their pencil. 2. If you see him or his friends, tell him-them I am waiting.

3. Poverty or wealth have their has its own temptations. 4. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut it-them off. 5. Either George or his brothers will lend you their— his help.

Exercise 96

COLLECTIVE NOUNS AS ANTECEDENTS

I. A pronoun whose antecedent is a collective noun conveying the idea of unity, should be in the neuter singular. Example: The firm is nearly ready to move into its new building.

2. If the antecedent be a collective noun conveying the idea of plurality, the pronoun should be plural.

Example: Mr. Jones's family are in Washington and Baltimore.

I.
1. The jury could not agree in its-their verdict.

2. The jury was a long time in reaching its-their decision.

3. The committee finally made its their report.

4. In America, the people make their makes its laws. 5. The society will hold its—their meeting tonight.

Exercise 97

ANTECEDENTS DISTINGUISHED

When the antecedents are emphatically distinguished by such connectives as as well as, and not, in addition to, etc., the pronoun should agree in number with the first.

Example: The father, as well as the sons, did his duty. I. Capital, and labor also, must have its-their rights.

2. The letter, as well as the packages, found its-their way to the dead letter office.

3. The country, and not the government, has its have their admirers.

4. Correspondence, in addition to grammar, should have its their place in every curriculum.

I.

Exercise 98

COMMON-GENDER ANTECEDENTS

1. There is no third-person singular-number commongender pronoun in English. When the antecedent requires such a pronoun, the masculine he, his, him is used.

Example: Each pupil should prepare his own lesson. 2. When special accuracy is desired, a pronoun of the masculine and one of the feminine gender may be used. Example: Each pupil should prepare his or her own lesson.

3. When two or more antecedents are of different genders, each antecedent must be represented by a pronoun of its own gender.

Example: Each boy or girl should prepare his or her own lessons.

Grammarians tell us that it is also correct to use a plural pronoun that may represent both genders and say: Each boy or girl should prepare their own lessons.

It is better, however, to avoid these repetitions by using a common-gender antecedent.

Correct or improve the following sentences:

I. Not one of them saw their mistake.

2. Everybody should be his-their own most severe critic.

3. Anyone can do this if they try.

4. No father or mother lives that does not love his or her children.

5. Any one of their methods is good enough in their

way.

6. Any person violating this rule does so at their own risk.

7. Every member is expected to do his or her duty. 8. Everybody should work for their own success. 9. An applicant shows by his—their application whether he-they has have a good education.

10. No man or woman is allowed to leave his or her wraps in the office.

Exercise 99

Write the following sentences, omitting the improper italicized words:

1. Everybody in the world have their-has his faults. 2. I want each pupil to do their-his own work. 3. If anyone is ambitious, it behooves him them to attend.

4. Everybody present had their hats-his hat on.

5. Has everybody written his-their exercises?

6. I should like each one, as soon as they finish-he finishes, to raise their-his hand.

7. Any student who works faithfully will receive his— their reward.

8. Every one of the men had their-his own idea on the subject.

9. The ship was saved only by the efforts of her-its

crew.

IO.

Each of the witnesses told his-their story.