Summary Grammar

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado

Common and Proper NounsUnit 1

A noun used to name a person, place, or object is called a concrete noun. The word concrete in this sense means actual or definite. A noun used to name a quality or an idea is called an abstract noun. The word abstract in this sense refers to an idea or a quality that we cannot discern with our physical senses.

Concrete nouns are either common nouns or proper nouns. A common noun is one that is common to all the persons, places, or objects in a group.

A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, or object in a group.

Every proper noun begins with a capital letter.

Here are some examples of proper and common nouns.

Proper Noun Common Noun

WilsonMassachusettsEnglishMéxicoCadillac

manstatelanguagecountryautomobile

Proper Noun Groups:In business writing each noun in a proper noun group begins with a capitalExamples:

1. Washington Street2. Independence Square3. Oklahoma City4. Industrial Building

Why does the underscored word in the first sentence below begin with a capital? Why does the same word in the second sentence begin with a small letter?

1. I have reservation at the State Hotel.2. Reserve a room for me at a downtown hotel.

In business, it is the practice to consider the name of a particular department, division, or activity of a business as a proper noun group.

1. Sales Department2. Finance Committee


3. Western Division

Capitalize only the nouns in a proper noun group, not small connecting words such as of, the, and. If however, the is the first word in the proper noun group and is actually a part of the noun group, writhe The.

Board of Directors Division of Finance The Story of Television (title of a book)

A plural noun ( a noun meaning more than one) which follows two or more proper nouns that name geographical places is written with a small letter.

The Southern Steamship Company operates boats on both the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers.

A common noun, such as company or association, which is used in place of the full name of the company or association is capitalized.

1. The Company has an extensive Research Division. 2. The Association has increased its headquarters staff.

The names of governing and judicial bodies are proper noun groups.

State Department Senate of the United StatesSupreme Court

It is increasingly the practice in business writing to consider a title as a proper noun when it is used to refer to a particular officer, even though the name of the officer is not given.

● President● Plant Superintendent

Names of Directions. When the words north, south,k east and west are used to name directions, there are common nouns and hence are not capitalized. When these words are used to name regions, however, they become proper nouns and are capitalized. Examples:

1. The town is west of the Rocky Mountains.2. We operate principally in the West.

Such derivatives as northern, southern, eastern, and western are capitalized when used with the name of a continent or of a world division. In business writing, the trend is toward capitalizing such words when they are used to designate a division or region of a state.

● Western Europe


● Southern California.

The names of particular holidays are proper nouns or proper noun groups and should be capitalized:

❖ Christmas❖ Labor Day❖ Thanksgiving❖ New Year

The names of seasons-spring, summer, fall, autumn, winter- are common nouns. Sometimes, however, the business writer wants to emphasize one of these words in a letter of advertisement by capitalizing it, as in the sentence below.

❏ You will save money by buying during our Winter Sale.

Business often designates its products by numbers. Such expressions are proper noun groups.

★ List No. 146★ Stock No. 589A


Collective Nouns A noun that names a group or a collection of objects or persons is called a collective noun. The common noun jury, for example, names a group generally twelve persons. The common noun committee is the name given to a group of persons who have been appointed for a particular purpose. Other examples of collective nouns are given in this list.

faculty class majorityaudience crew groupcrowd staff board

Predicates and Collective Nouns. You must be able to recognize collective nouns so that you may write the correct predicates when such nouns are used as subjects of sentences. One of the basic principles of correct English usage is this: A predicate must agree with its subject in number.

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado The peculiarity of collective nouns lies in the fact that they may be used either in the singular or plural. When, for example, the collective noun faculty is used to mean a unit or a group, it is singular.

1. A collective noun that is singular in meaning requires a singular predicate.

2. A collective noun that is plural in meaning requires a plural predicate.

The faculty is holding a meeting this afternoon. The faculty have been assigned places on the platform.

In the first sentence the faculty is plainly regarded as a group. It is holding the meeting as a group. In the second sentence, however, the writer is thinking about the various people who are members of the faculty. Study also these sentences.

The jury has brought in a verdict of “Not Guilty”.

PRONOUNS AND COLLECTIVE NOUNS. Another principle of English usage is this: A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number. If the antecedent (the word for which the pronoun is the substitute) is singular, the pronoun must be singular. Ir, however, that antecedent is plural, the pronoun used as its substitute must be plural too. We therefore arrive at the following principles of correct English usage in using pronouns that refer to, or are substitutes for, collective nouns.

1. A pronoun must be singular when it is used as the substitute for a collective noun that is singular in meaning.

2. A pronoun must be plural when it is used as the substitute for a collective noun that is plural meaning.

The faculty is holding its regular weekly meeting this afternoon. The faculty have taken their usual places on the platform.

COLLECTIVE PROPER NOUN GROUPS. A proper noun group is often used as a collective noun. Three lawyers, for instance, are engaged in the practice of law under the firm name of Thornton, Lewis & King. When we think about that law firm as a unit, the name of the firm is a singular collective noun group. When such a noun group is used as the subject of a sentence, the predicate of that sentence must be singular.

Thornton, Lewis & King represents the Southern Lumber Company.

Instead of using such a firm name as the subject of a sentence, you may avoid awkwardness by using the phrase the firm of.

The firm of Lloyd, Harris, Jamison & West represents the plaintiff.

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado In thousands of cases the word Company is a part of the official name of a business. All such names are collective noun groups. When the Company is regarded as an individual unit, the noun group is singular in meaning.

AVOID AWKWARD USE OF COLLECTIVE NOUNS: Most collective nouns look singular. Sometimes is simply doesn´t look right or sound right to use a plural predicate when the subject of a sentence is a collective noun that means a group or persons.

The committee have signed their names to the report

That sentence is correct in form because the writer was thinking not about the committee as a unit, but about the various members of the committee.

The members of the committee have signed their names to the report.

ABOUT THE WORD NUMBER. The word number is often as the subject of a sentence. It is a collective noun. Here is a practical suggestion.

When the word number is preceded by the regard it as a singular collective noun. When it is preceded by a regard it as a plural collective noun.

The number of employees in our office is about eighty. A number of our employees are enrolled in the Blue Cross.

Summary Forming And UsingThe Plural Of Nouns

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado A noun that names one person, object, or idea is singular. A noun that names two or more persons, objects, or ideas is plural. The word plural comes from the Latin word pluralism, which means of or belonging to more than one. We derive our word plus from the same Latin root.

1. Most nouns simply add s to form the plural.

judgment judgments

piece pieces

profession professions

receipt receipts

privilege privileges

committee committees

acknowledgment acknowledgments

2. Nouns that end with s, x, z, ch, or sh form the plural by adding es.

tax taxes

class classes

clintz clintzed

branch branches

gas gases

crash crashes

Mr. Fitch the Fitches

The plural of bus is generally buses (rather than busses).

3. Nouns that end with y fall into two classes: a. those that end with y preceded by a vowel and b. those that end with y preceded by a constant. The vowels are a, e, i, o, and u. The letter y is a vowel when it is pronounced as i long or short. Examples: dynamo, system. When y begins a word or a syllable, it is a consonant. Examples: year, youth, beyond.

1. Common nouns that end with y preceded by a vowel add s to form the plural.

attorney attorneysturkey turkeys


valley valleysalley alleyssurvey surveysgalley galleys

Common nouns that end with y preceded by a consonant change y to i and add es to form the plural.

company companiesvariety varietiesfacility facilitiesboundary boundariesally allieslaboratory laboratoriesfoundry foundriesspecialty specialtiesaccessory accessoriescasualty casualtiesquantity quantities

This practice applies also to nouns that end with quy

colloquy colloquiessoliloquy soliloquies

Proper nouns that end with y form the plural by adding s, evern though the y is preceded y a consonant.

Henry HenrysMurphy MurphysFry Frys

Nouns that end with o fall into two classes: those that end with o preceded by a vowel and those that end with o preceded by a consonant.

Nouns that end with o preceded by a vowel add s to form the plural.

embryo embryosradio radiosstudio studioscameo cameosportfolio portfolios

The modern tendency in forming the plural of nouns that end with o preceded by a consonant is to add s only.

tobacco tobaccosmemento mementostuxedo tuxedosdynamo dynamos


Some nouns ending with o preceded by a consonant, however, form the plural by adding es.

hero heroesno noesembargo embargoesmotto mottoescargo cargoespotato potatoestomato tomatoesveto vetoes

Most nouns that end with f, fe, or ff form the plural by adding s.

chief chiefsdwarf dwarfssafe safeschef chefsproof proofs

A proofreader reads the proofs of a book. Do not confuse the plural noun proofs with the singular verb form proves.

A few nouns that end with f or fe change f or fe change f or fe to ves to form the plural.

calf calveshalf halveslife livesthief thieveswife wivesknife knivesloaf loaves

The preferred plural of wharf is wharves, although wharfs is sometimes used.

Some nouns form the plural by a vowel change.

foot feetman menwomanwomengoose geesemouse mice

Study these derivatives of man and woman.: salesman, salesmen, saleswoman, saleswomen, workman, workmen. German, Ottoman, and talisman are not compounds of man. The plurals are Germans, Ottomans, and talismans. Note also specimen, specimens. There is no such word as speciman.

The plural form of some nouns is exactly the same as the singular form.

deer deer


sheep sheepseries seriesgross grossspecies species

Two nouns have en plural endings.

child childrenox oxen

The noun brother has two plural forms- brothers and brethren. The form brothers is used for blood relatives, brethren is used for the fellow members of a religious or fraternal organization.

Some nouns that end with s are singular in meaning. When used as subjects of sentences, they require singular predicates.

economics mathematics newsethics molasses measles

Certain nouns are used only in the plural; they have no singular forms. The following nouns, when used as subjects of sentences, require plural predicates.

scissors auspicescattle trousersgoods (merchandise) thanksproceeds (money realized from a richessale or from a promissory note) permises

The goods are in excellent condition.The proceed of sale amount to $25,678.78.The premises are kept clean and neat.

FORMING AND USING THE PLURAL OF NOUNS

Plural of Compound Nouns. Compound nouns are of two kinds: 1. those that are written solid and 2. those that are written with hyphens.


a. Compound nouns that are written solid form the plural by making the last syllable plural.

stockholder stockholders

bookcase bookcases

billhead bullheads

letterhead letterheads

handful handfuls

stepchild stepchildren

workman workmen

cupful cupfuls

spoonful spoonfuls

b. Compound nouns that are written with hyphens form the plural by making the fundamental, or principal, noun plural.

brother-in-law brothers-in-law editor-in-chief editors-in-chief son-in-law sons-in-law

Plural of Proper Nouns. Proper nouns form the plural, as you learned in Study 3, by adding s.Examples:

Madison MadisonsFox FoxesJones JonesAdams Adamses

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado A title of respect usually precedes a proper noun, thus: Miss Finley. Two or more Miss Finleys may be referred to in one of two ways: the Misses Finley or the Miss

Finleys.

The plural of Mr. (Mister) is Messrs. It is thus correct to write Messrs. James R. Bailey and Hendry C. Kinsey.

The plural of Mrs. is Mesdames. It is correct to write the Mesdames Denton or the Mesdames Denton and Murray.

LETTER AND FIGURES

Letters and figures form the plural adding ‘s.

6’s i’s o’s B’s

When a figure is written out in words, it forms its plural regularly.

There are three sixes in the quotient.

FOREIGN NOUNS

A considerable number of foreign nouns are used in the English language. In the case of some of those nouns that foreign plurals only are used. In other cases English plural forms are also in use.

1. Foreign (Greek and Latin) nouns ending in is change is to es to form the plural. Such nouns have no English plural forms.

Singular Plural

amanuensis amanuenses

analysis analyses

axis axes

ellipsis ellipses

hypothesis hypotheses


synopsis synopses

thesis theses

2. Foreign nouns ending in um change um to a to form the plural.

Singular Plural English Plural

addendum addenda

bacterium bacteria

datum data

referendum referenda referendums

stadium stadia stadiums

stratum strata stratums

curriculum curricula curriculums

Foreign (Latin) nouns ending in a change a to ae to form the plural.

alumna alumnae

fibula fibulae

formula formulae formulas

larva larvae

vertebra vertebrae

Foreign nouns ending in on change on to a to form the plural.

criterion criteria criterionsphenomenon phenomena

Foreign nouns ending in x change x to ces to form the plural.

aprendix aprendices aprendixesindex indices indexes

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado predicates in the following sentences are italicized. What is the subject in each sentence?

When the subject of a sentence is plural foreign noun, the predicate must be plural too. The As part of the report, analyses of the products were submitted.

Parenthesis are seldom used in writing business letters. Full data on the project are not yet available. The alumni of the college are enthusiastic about the program. What criteria are to be used in determining the results?

Forming and Using the Possessive of Common Nouns

One sure way to make your writing accurate is to master the correct use of the apostrophe in the possessive forms of nouns. Errors are often made by putting an apostrophe into a word in which it does not belong; by leaving out the apostrophe when it is required, and by writing the apostrophe in the wrong place in a word.

Recognizing Possessives of Nouns. An apostrophe is required in a noun when that noun is used to show possession, authorship, origin, or other relationship. Never use an apostrophe in a noun, even though it ends with s, unless that noun is in the possessive. Study the italicized words in these sentences.

The partners in the firm are Charles L. King and Henry C. Frank. The bulletin was mailed to the principals of all the schools.

How to Form Possessives. When you have made sure that a common noun is in the possessive, you can write its correct possessive form by applying one of these guiding rules.

1. Add apostrophe and s (´s) if the noun ends with any letter other than s.2. Add the apostrophe only (´) if the noun ends with s.

We can put these guiding rules in another way: Add the apostrophe and s (´s) to singular nouns and to all plural nouns that end with any letter other than s. Add the apostrophe only (´) to nouns that end with s. Study these sentences.

Each subscriber´s name is listed in the telephone directory All subscribers´ names are listed in the telephone directory.

In the first sentence the noun subscriber is singular. The noun ends with the letter r. When the noun is put into the possessive, we need to add the apostrophe-subscribers´.

In the second sentence the noun subscribers is plural. That plural noun ends with s. When the noun is put into the possessive, we add just the apostrophe--subscribers´.

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado Singular Possessives. The best way to learn to use the apostrophe accurately is to study its correct use in sentences. Read each of these sentences carefully. }each one includes one singular possessive noun and one or more plural nouns ending with s that are not in the possessive.

1. The students held their meeting in the principal's office.2. The company's occupy three floors of the building. 3. Meeting the needs of customers is no child's play.4. Our form of government guards the common man’s rights.

A singular common noun that consists of one syllable and that ends with ss forms its possessive by adding only the apostrophe and s (‘s). Examples: the class’s record.

Plural Possessives. Study these sentences. Each contains one plural possessive noun and one or more plural noun ending with s that are not in the possessive.

1. A number of officers attended the employees’ outing.2. The store specializes in officers’ uniforms.3. Many girls have found these secretaries’ kits useful.4. The new nurses’ home provides accommodations for fifty occupants.5. A number of citizens are interested in organizing a taxpayers’ league.

Possessives of Nouns that Denote Time. The nouns day, week, and year are often used in the possessive, thus:

a day’s work a week’s delay a month’s trial sixty days’ delay

Possess of Nouns that Denote Inanimate Objects. Nouns that name inanimate objects are sometimes used in the possessive. In good writing you can easily find such expressions as the ink’s color, society’s chief aim, as well as idiomatic phrases such as a stone’s, throw, at arm’s length. When the use of the possessive form makes an awkward-sounding sing of the carpet the roof of the house.

Study the nouns in this list. Both the singular possessive and the plural possessive forms are often incorrectly written.

advertiser advertiser’s advertisers’

agency agency’s agencies’

ally ally’s allies’

attorney attorney’s attorneys’

boy boy’s boys’

child child’s childrens’


hero hero’s heroes’

lady lady’s ladies’

man man’s men’sthief

thief thief’s thieves’

Forming and Using the Possessive of Common Nouns

One sure way to make your writing accurate is to master the correct use of the apostrophe in the possessive forms of nouns. Errors are often made by putting an apostrophe into a word in which it does not belong; by leaving out the apostrophe when it is required, and by writing the apostrophe in the wrong place in a word.

Recognizing Possessives of Nouns. An apostrophe is required in a noun when that noun is used to show possession, authorship, origin, or other relationship. Never use an apostrophe in a noun, even though it ends with s, unless that noun is in the possessive. Study the italicized words in these sentences.

The partners in the firm are Charles L. King and Henry C. Frank. The bulletin was mailed to the principals of all the schools.

How to Form Possessives. When you have made sure that a common noun is in the possessive, you can write its correct possessive form by applying one of these guiding rules.

1. Add apostrophe and s (´s) if the noun ends with any letter other than s.2. Add the apostrophe only (´) if the noun ends with s.

We can put these guiding rules in another way: Add the apostrophe and s (´s) to singular nouns and to all plural nouns that end with any letter other than s. Add the apostrophe only (´) to nouns that end with s. Study these sentences.

Each subscriber´s name is listed in the telephone directory All subscribers´ names are listed in the telephone directory.

In the first sentence the noun subscriber is singular. The noun ends with the letter r. When the noun is put into the possessive, we need to add the apostrophe-subscribers´.

In the second sentence the noun subscribers is plural. That plural noun ends with s. When the noun is put into the possessive, we add just the apostrophe--subscribers´.

Singular Possessives. The best way to learn to use the apostrophe accurately is to study its correct use in sentences. Read each of these sentences carefully. }each

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado one includes one singular possessive noun and one or more plural nouns ending with s that are not in the possessive.

1. The students held their meeting in the principal's office.2. The company's occupy three floors of the building. 3. Meeting the needs of customers is no child's play.4. Our form of government guards the common man’s rights.

A singular common noun that consists of one syllable and that ends with ss forms its possessive by adding only the apostrophe and s (‘s). Examples: the class’s record.

Plural Possessives. Study these sentences. Each contains one plural possessive noun and one or more plural noun ending with s that are not in the possessive.

1. A number of officers attended the employees’ outing.2. The store specializes in officers’ uniforms.3. Many girls have found these secretaries’ kits useful.4. The new nurses’ home provides accommodations for fifty occupants.5. A number of citizens are interested in organizing a taxpayers’ league.

Possessives of Nouns that Denote Time. The nouns day, week, and year are often used in the possessive, thus:

a day’s work a week’s delay a month’s trial sixty days’ delay

Possess of Nouns that Denote Inanimate Objects. Nouns that name inanimate objects are sometimes used in the possessive. In good writing you can easily find such expressions as the ink’s color, society’s chief aim, as well as idiomatic phrases such as a stone’s, throw, at arm’s length. When the use of the possessive form makes an awkward-sounding sing of the carpet the roof of the house.

Study the nouns in this list. Both the singular possessive and the plural possessive forms are often incorrectly written.

advertiser advertiser’s advertisers’

agency agency’s agencies’

ally ally’s allies’

attorney attorney’s attorneys’

boy boy’s boys’

child child’s childrens’

hero hero’s heroes’


lady lady’s ladies’

man man’s men’sthief

thief thief’s thieves’

Forming and Using the Possessive of Proper Nouns

Each of the following sentences contains the possessive form of a singular proper noun that does not end with s, x, z, ch or sh. Note that the possessive is formed by adding apostrophe and s.

1. The meeting will be held in Mr. Whitney´s office.2. We are thoroughly satisfied with Miss Mackenzie's work.3. Mrs. George Hutchinson´s account is paid in full.

ONE-SYLLABLE SINGULAR PROPER NOUNS WITH S-ENDINGSA one-syllable singular proper noun that ends with s, x, z, ch, or sh forms its possessive in the regular way -by adding the apostrophe and s. The possessive form of such a proper noun is pronounced as though the syllable ex were added. Each of these sentences contains the possessive form of a one-syllable singular proper noun that ends with s, x, z, ch, or sh.

1. Have you read any of Keats's poems?2. Cincinnati is included in Mr. Knox's territory. 3. We are looking forward to Mr. Ross’s visit. 4. Charles's account of his trip was most interesting. 5. Robert Burns’s poems breathe the very spirit of the Scottish

countryside.

Study also these expressions. Each one includes a one-syllable singular possessive noun.

Mr. Moss’s store Mr. Litz’s boyMr. Wilkes office Dr. Sax’s officeMr. Fox’s business Mrs. Grooms’s son


Henry Marsh’s nephew Mr. Hess’s hatMrs. Porch’s daughter Mr. Reis’s bookGeneral Cass’s command Tess’s toys

SINGULAR PROPER NOUNS OF TWO SYLLABLES

Many proper nouns that end with s, x, or z contain two syllables. In forming the possessive of such proper nouns, many careful writers follow the regular rule and add the apostrophe and s; others add the apostrophe only.

1. You are surely familiar with Charles Dickens's “Christmas Carol”.2. Mr. Adams’s telegram just came. 3. Mr. Robbins is one of Dr. Zellers’s patients.

The important point to remember is that the apostrophe and s are written outside of each tow-syllable proper noun that ends with s,x, or z. If you follow the more conservative practice of using the apostrophe only to form the possessives of such proper nouns, the apostrophe must still be written after the s, x, or z, thus:

Richards’ Morriss’ Sturmfelz’ Hendrix’

The possessives of two-syllable proper nouns that end with ch or sh should always be formed by adding apostrophe and s thus:

Litmarch’s Forbish’s

The two proper nouns Moses and Jesus have an s sound before the final syllable. In the case of such proper nouns, add the apostrophe only, thus:

Moses’ early life Jesus’ sayings

SINGULAR PROPER NOUNS OF THREE OR MORE SYLLABLES

It is grammatically correct to form the possessive of singular proper nouns of three or more syllables that end with s by adding the apostrophe and s.

Mr. Austerlitz’s home Mrs. Fitzgibbons’s address

Liceo Secretarial Bilingüe Code 5Katherine Pineda January 21, 20166°. Secretariado The practice of writing such possessives with the apostrophe only is followed by some writers.

Mr. Stettinius’ home Mrs. Ludowitz’ son

PLURAL PROPER NOUNS AND THEIR POSSESSIVES

So far in this Study we have been thinking about singular proper nouns. The plural of proper nouns is formed by adding s.

Taylor TaylorsWilson WilsonsPitney PitneysAdams AdamsesJenkins JenkinsesEvans EvansesFitzgibbons FitzgibbonsesDavis Davises

Special Situations in Forming PossessivesPRoper nouns are sometimes abbreviated. In such cases write the apostrophe and s after the period thus:

the Y. M. C. A.’s new building the Standard Oil Co.’s representative

When a singular compound noun is to be written in the possessive, use the apostrophe and s at the end of the compound noun, thus:

my brother-in-law’s home the court-martial's verdict

THE APOSTROPHE IS SOMETIMES OMITTEDIn the official names of many associations and organizations the apostrophe is omitted in plural noun even though those nouns are in the possessive, thus:

Merchants National Bank Citizens Planning Association Teachers College


USING PERSONAL PRONOUNS

A pronouns is a word that is used in the place of a noun. Personal pronouns are called such because they show grammatical “persons”. There are three personas -first person, which denotes the speaker; second person, which designates the one spoken to; third person, which names the one spoken about.

FORMS OF PRONOUNS. Pronouns have different forms depending on how they are used in sentences. Make sure you know the forms given in this table.

FIRST PERSON

SINGULAR PLURALNominative I wePossessive my

mineourours

Objective me us

SECOND PERSON

SINGULAR PLURALNominative you youPossessive your

yoursyouryours

Objective you you

THIRD PERSONSINGULAR

Masculine Feminine Neuter PluralNominative he she it theyPossessive his her

hersits their

theirs


Objective him her it them

This table is called a declension. It shows the various forms of the personal pronouns. Note that the first person, second person, and third person pronouns have the properties of number and case.

The possessive forms of all pronouns are written without apostrophes. These forms-and only these forms-are correct: ours, yours, hers, its, theirs.

PRONOUNS AND THEIR ANTECEDENTS. Antecedent is the word used to designate the noun for which the pronoun stands. The pronoun is the substitute for its antecedent.

The company has just published its annual statement.

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gener.

The case of the pronoun-nominative, possessive, of objective-is determined by the use of the pronoun in the particular sentence.

Mr. Grant says that he has not completed the work. Mr. Grant says that his work has not been completed.

As the subject of a sentence. Your will of course, never use her or him as the subject of a sentence. Sometimes the subject of a sentence consists of two pronouns joined by and, or, nor. In such cases both pronouns must be in the nominative. In other cases the subject consists of a noun and a pronoun joined by and, or, nor. The pronoun must be in the nominative.

He is planning to go to Boston. He and I are leaving tomorrow for Florida. Neither they nor we are represented in Canada.

As an appositive of the subject of a sentence.Sometimes the subject of a sentences is we followed by an explanatory word which is the appositive of we.

We salesmen followed the demonstration with keen interest. We girls are studying the business applications of English.

As a predicate complement. A pronoun is a predicate complement when it is joined to the subject of a sentence by a linking cer, such as is, are, was, were, will be.

The speaker at the meeting was I.


The visitor who called just now was he. The people who are responsible for the success of the meeting are

they.

USING THE POSSESSIVE CASE

The possessive case of pronouns, just like the possessive case of nouns, is used to show possessions, origin, or other relationship.

Mr. Thompson is in his office.

USING THE OBJECTIVE CASE.

The objective case of a personal pronoun is used in one of three constructions.

1. As the object of a verb. Sometimes the object of a verb of two pronouns joined by and, or nor. In such cases both pronouns must be in the objective. In other cases the object consists of a noun and a pronoun joined by and, or, nor. The pronoun must be in the objective.

Mr. Frederick has selected me. Mr. Frederick has selected him and me. Mr. French will select either him or her. Mr. French will select either Miss Mayberry or me.

2. As the object of a preposition. When two pronouns are used as the objects of a preposition, the pronouns must be in the objectives.

The work has been assigned to her and me. The papers were examined by Mr. West and her. The estate was divided between his sister and him.

Often a sentence is written in such a way that the proposition is implied-not expressed. In such cases the pronoun must still be in the objective. Sometimes two pronouns are joined by and, or, nor. When such pronouns are used as the objects of a preposition that is not expressed, the pronouns must be in the objective.

Mr. Harrington telephoned him and me. Send Mr. Young and me copies of this correspondence.

3. As the appositive of the object of a verb or of a preposition. A personal pronoun used as the object of a verb or of a preposition may be followed by a noun which is the appositive of the pronoun. In such construction be sure to use the objective case of the pronoun.


Mr. Ashton asked us stenographers to be here. You may call on us women for any assistance you need. President Jackson gave us salesmen an explanation of the new

machine.

USING INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

The words in the following list may be used as pronouns in place of nouns. When so used, they are called indefinite pronouns.

all each many none

another either more one

any neither most several

both few much some

The expressions no one, many a, anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, nobody are all singular in meaning: hence pronouns which refer to them must be singular.

It is a common error to write a plural personal pronoun when the antecedent of that pronoun is a singular indefinite pronoun. Study these sentences:

Everybody should be prepared to do his part. No one knows when he will be called upon to act quickly.Many a person owes his success to business training.

When a singular indefinite pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence, the predicate of the sentence must be singular.

Anyone with good sense knows that his success depends on his own efforts.Everyone was called upon to give his report.Someone has left his papers here.

COMMON GENDER ANTECEDENTS.An indefinite pronoun which does not indicate gender is designated as being of the common gender. A personal pronoun that refers to a common gender antecedent should be masculine.

Nobody knows what the future holds in store for him.

When, however, the indefinite pronoun is followed by a phrase which includes a feminine noun, the personal pronoun should, of course, be feminine too.

Neither of the girls has had her vacation.


The indefinite pronouns any, each, every are often used as adjectives before a singular noun. A personal pronoun which refers to that singular noun must be singular.

Any man knows that he is judged by the results he achieves.

TWO WORDS OR ONE. A simple rule to follow in writing anyone, any one, everyone, every one, someone, some one is this: If the expression is followed by an of-phrase, write it as two words.

Anyone knows that people make errors. Any one of the girls is competent to do the work.

ANTECEDENTS CONNECTED BY AND. When the antecedents to which a personal pronoun refers are connected by and, special attention must be given to that pronoun to determine whether it should be singular or plural.

1. When two singular antecedents connected by and refer to different personas object, or ideas the pronoun must be plural.

2. When two singular antecedents connected by and refer to one person, object, or idea, the pronoun must be singular.

The Vice-President and General Manager has made his recommendations.

3. When two singular antecedents connected by and are preceded by each every, or no, the pronoun must be singular.

Each passenger car and truck has its own driver.

4. Singular antecedents that are connected by or or nor require singular pronoun to refer to them.

Either Mr. Harvey or Mr. Nelson has left his portfolio here.

5. If two singular antecedents connected by and, or, nor are of different genders, accuracy requires the use of two pronouns.

Either a young man or a young woman will be employed, but he or she should make application immediately.

6. If the compound antecedent consists of one singular noun and one plural noun, write the plural noun second and make the pronoun agree with that plural noun.

Neither Miss Williams nor the other employees have had time to complete the work assigned to them.

7. Sometimes a phrase beginning with as well as or in addition to is attached to a noun which is the antecedent of a pronoun.

The Editor-in-chief, as well as his advisers, has made his views on the subject clear.


8. A collective noun, as you have already learned, may be used in either a singular or a plural sense.

The committee will be ready with its report this afternoon.

LOOK FOR THE REAL ANTECEDENTWhenever you use a pronoun in a sentence, be sure to make it agree in number with its real antecedent. Errors are often made in sentences which include expressions such as one of those who, one of the people who. In such sentences the antecedent of the pronoun is the plural word.

Mr. King is one of those who have stated their opposition to the plan.Is he one of the people who have cast their votes in favor of the proposal?

Summary Grammar

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