PRONOUN

A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun.

Now consider the following cases :

1. Since a pronoun is used instead of a Noun, it must be of the same number, gender and

person as the noun for which it stands.

For example: Those beggars are idle. They refuse to work for their living.

2. Please consider the following two sentences.

a) After a few hearings the jury gave its verdict. (Pronoun ‘its is used in place of noun

jury’).

b) The jury were divided in their opinions. (Pronoun ‘their’ is used in place of noun ‘jury’)

You must be wondering why different pronoun its’ and ‘their’ is used in place of the same noun ‘jury’ The reason is when a pronoun stands for a collective noun it must be in the singular number and neutral gender. (Sentence a). But when collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole, the pronoun standing for it must be of the plural number. In sentence b, it is clear that members of the jury are not behaving as whole.

For example :

a) The committee is reconsidering its decision.

b) The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats.

Pronouns used in sentences connected with conjunction

3. When two or more singular nouns are joined by ‘and’, the pronoun used for them must be plural.

For example : Rama and Hari work hard. Their teachers praise them.

But when two Singular nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to the same person or thing, the pronoun should be singular.

For example : The Secretary and Treasurer is negligent of his duty.

Here the same person is acting as Secretary and Treasurer. That’s why singular pronoun is used.

4. When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ are preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every’, then the pronoun must be singular and verb will also be singular.

For example : Every soldier and every sailor was in his place.

5. When two or more singular nouns are joined by ‘or’, ‘either…or’, ‘neither…nor’, the pronoun is generally singular and verb will also be singular.

For example :

1. a) Neither Abdul nor Rehman has done his lessons.

2. b) Either Rama or Hari must help his friend.

6. When a plural and a singular noun are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the pronoun must be in the

plural

For example : Either the manager or his assistants failed in their duty.

To Be Continued.........