Lesson 3
Parts of Speech: Pronouns
These are the pronouns that substitute for nouns referring to specific people or things:
Subject
Object
Possessive
Singular
I
he, she, it
me
him, her, it
my, mine
his, her, hers, its
Plural
we
they
us
them
our, ours
their, theirs
Singular and Plural
you
who
you
whom
your, yours
whose
Your choice of a pronoun from this list depends on whether the person or thing represented by the pronoun is
acting, is being acted on, or possesses something. If acting, the pronoun is standing in for the subject of a
sentence or phrase; if being acted on, the pronoun is standing in for the object of a sentence or phrase; if
possessing something, the pronoun is showing the ownership. (Notice that none of the possessive pronouns,
not even its, has an apostrophe.)
Study the pronouns in these sentences, noting whether they are subjects (S), objects (O), or possessives (P):
Who (S) gave the receipts to her (O)?
She (S) looked at my (P) resume.
They (S) returned the defective parts to us (O).
Our (P) major concern is your (P) satisfaction.
He (S) sent me (O) a check for $239.28.
To whom (O) will you (S) give the assignment?
I (S) will sell them (O) to you (O) at a discount.
If a noun is singular, the pronoun that stands in for it is also singular. If a noun is plural, the pronoun that
stands in for it is also plural:
The ledger sat on the desk.
It sat on the desk.
The desks were delivered Tuesday.
They were delivered Tuesday.
A plural pronoun may also be used to stand in for two or more singular nouns:
Put the computer and printer into the empty office.
Put them into the empty office.
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Lesson 3: Parts of Speech: Pronouns
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Complete the following exercises by replacing the underlined nouns with the correct pronouns:
1. To which retailer will you send your merchandise?
2. Have you given John and Nancy a list of parts?
3. The main office sent the invoice to Mr. and Mrs. Lityak on December 5.
4. The company settled the company's accounts before the end of the year.
5. Which person's umbrella is this?
6. Peter gave Martin a great pep talk.
7. I saw Bill at the conference, and Bill gave me a directory for the conference.
8. Where did Mr. Schiller get Mr. Schiller's new car?
9. Tell the Randolphs about the Randolphs's obligations.
10. When do you want Meg and Robert to take Meg's and Robert's break?
Replacing nouns with pronouns streamlines a sentence:
Roy gave Roy's pencil to Terri so Terri should add the figures.
Roy gave his pencil to Terri so she should add the figures.
In some sentences, however, you must sometimes reuse a noun for clarity; even though you could substitute a
pronoun. For example:
Tom told Richard that he would be going to the meeting.
Who will be going to the meeting, Tom or Richard? Readers will be less confused if you use the appropriate
noun again:
Tom told Richard that Richard would be going to the meeting.
(This problem may also be solved by rewriting the sentence.)
In the following exercises, cross out nouns and write pronouns above them wherever appropriate:
11. Customers always receive what customers expect from Sear's.
12. Janet and Anne are preparing a report for Janet and Anne's boss that tells the boss about Janet and Anne's
results for the first quarter of the year.
13. Bob broke the chair, and so now Bob has to fix the chair.
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English Essentials
14. When Mara spoke at the last gathering of the company's sales representatives, Mara gave the sales
representatives a complete picture of the company's operations.
15. Tell Edward to turn in Edward's expense account before the expense account is overdue.
What pronoun should you use when referring to a group? Use a singular pronoun if the focus is on the group
as a single unit, a plural pronoun if the focus is on individuals within the group:
The staff completed its report on time.
The staff turned in their reports at various times.
In the first sentence, the staff is working together on a report and is therefore seen as a unit, requiring a
singular pronoun. In the second sentence, staff members are preparing individual reports, and thus a plural
pronoun is required.
In most cases, companies are considered as units. Therefore, a singular pronoun is usually used to stand in for
the name of a company:
Starbright Enterprises has lower prices than its competitors.
Flyway Airlines has just had its best year ever.
Another problem area for business communicators is indefinite pronouns. Words like everyone, neither, and
each are singular, referring to one person or thing, and so require a singular pronoun:
Neither Elizabeth nor Connie has reached her potential yet.
Each display area has its limitations.
Words like many and several, however, take plural pronouns:
Many have requested their holidays already.
Still other indefinite pronouns—such as all, any, most, and some—may be either singular or plural, depending
on the context:
Some is still left in its container.
Some are already asking for their bonuses.
Write the correct pronouns in the following exercises:
16. The sales staff is preparing guidelines for _____________ clients.
17. Few of the sales representatives turn in _____________ reports on time.
18. The board of directors has chosen _____________ officers.
19. Several of the account executives have told _____________ clients about the new program.
20. Mondo Taco, Inc., plans to expand _____________ operations dramatically over the next two years.
21. Has everyone supplied _____________ Social Security number yet?
22. Give the staff
_____________ raises early this year.