Pronouns And Their Antecedents #3

3. The underlined pronouns in the following sentences are ambiguous, since it is not obvious to which antecedents they refer. For each sentence, first underline the two possible antecedents of the pronoun. Then make the sentence unambiguous by choosing one of the antecedents and repeating it, instead of using the pronoun. When repeating the antecedent, it is also necessary to repeat any words which modify it. For example:
I invited the woman and her sister, but she could not come.
I invited the woman and her sister, but her sister could not come.
or I invited the woman and her sister, but the woman could not come.
George gave Tom a book. Then he went home.
George gave Tom a book. Then Tom went home.
or George gave Tom a book. Then George went home.
The boys challenged the girls to a game, but they did not play well.
The boys challenged the girls to a game, but the boys did not play well.
or The boys challenged the girls to a game, but the girls did not play well.
1. I used your pen to finish the assignment, but then I lost it.
2. My father told my uncle the story, but he did not believe it.
3. When the students met the teachers for the first time, they were not sure what to expect.
4. The girl was dressed like her mother, except that she was not wearing a hat.
5. The man had arranged to meet his son at four o’clock, but he was late.
6. The box was the same size as the trunk, but it was much heavier.
7. The lady wanted to visit my aunt, but she had to leave town unexpectedly.
8. The riders slowed down their horses because they were growing tired.
9. The butterfly was sitting close to the flower, but it could not be seen in the photograph.
10. The cups were supposed to match the saucers, but they were a lighter shade of blue.
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Pronouns And Their Antecedents #2

Paying attention to the meanings of the sentences below, fill in each blank with he, she, it, we or they, and underline the antecedent of the pronoun.
For example:
The bicycle must be repaired before __ can be ridden again.
The bicycle must be repaired before it can be ridden again.
The bananas are quite soft, but ___ can be used in banana cake.
The bananas are quite soft, but they can be used in banana cake.
1. When the moon is full, ______ rises just as the sun sets.
2. Tracy and I like spending time together, because _______ share many interests.
3. When my uncle was young, _______ enjoyed playing soccer.
4. The students worked hard, because _______ were anxious to complete the assignment.
5. When the lady entered the hotel, ______ asked to speak with the manager.
6. The man was surprised when ______ heard the news.
7. My friend and I had to leave early so that _____ could catch the bus.
8. I liked the picture so much that I had ______ framed.
9. Your grandmother is old, but ______ is still beautiful.
10. The boats look picturesque when _______ are tied up in the harbor.
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Pronouns And Their Antecedents #1

1. In the sentences below, fill in the blanks with the personal pronouns which agree with the underlined antecedents. For example:
Although ___ knew it was dangerous, the girl wanted to ride the horse.
Although she knew it was dangerous, the girl wanted to ride the horse.
The tree is very tall, but __ does not give much shade.
The tree is very tall, but it does not give much shade.
1. The children are happy because _______ have a holiday today.
2. My father and I had planned to visit the park, but since it was raining _______ decided not to go.
3. This chair is valuable because _______ is so old.
4. The woman is pleased because _______ has found work.
5. Until _______ retired, their father managed a business.
6. After the apples have been cut up, _______ should be sprinkled with cinnamon.
7. Because her husband used to study music, _______ knows how to play several musical instruments.
8. My neighbor and I like to go shopping together, so that _______ can help each other choose what to buy.
9. Her daughter likes to study, because _______ finds the work interesting.
10. The car is in good condition, but _______ needs a new muffler.
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Grammar Lesson 23~Possessive Personal Pronouns

Some personal pronouns are called possessives because they show whose something is. They are the following pronouns: my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their, and theirs. An example would be The money is mine. Mine tells whose money it is.
Find the possessive pronouns in the following sentences.
1. The new car is his.
2. Yours will be here tomorrow.
3. I like theirs best.
4. Should we go for a ride in his or hers.
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Samuel Johnson’s Weakness

Today when I read Our Daily Bread, I learned about a man who lived in the eighteenth century who kept a journal. Just like most people today, he would make a resolution to do better and then falter and not follow through:
“Here is a typical entry: ‘I have corrected no external habits, nor kept any of the resolutions made in the beginning of the year, yet I hope still to be reformed, and not to lose my whole life in idle purposes.'”
I agree with Mr. Johnson.

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James Thurber on Who And Whom

I love it when literature is combined with grammar. I found a great quote by the famous author, James Thurber, discussing the inappropriate use of who and whom.
The number of people who use “whom” and “who” wrongly is appalling. The problem is a difficult one and it is complicated by the importance of tone, or taste. Take the common expression, “Whom are you, anyways?” That is of course, strictly speaking, correct — and yet how formal, how stilted! The usage to be preferred in ordinary speech and writing is “Who are you, anyways?” “Whom” should be used in the nominative case only when a note of dignity or austerity is desired. For example, if a writer is dealing with a meeting of, say, the British Cabinet, it would be better to have the Premier greet a new arrival, such as an under-secretary, with a “Whom are you, anyways?” rather than a “Who are you, anyways?” — always granted that the Premier is sincerely unaware of the man’s identity. To address a person one knows by a “Whom are you?” is a mark either of incredible lapse of memory or inexcusable arrogance. “How are you?” is a much kindlier salutation.
~James Thurber
Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Guide to Modern English Usage
~Guide to Grammar and Writing website

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