CORRECT USAGE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS

CORRECT USAGE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS

Rule 1: Singular Pronouns with Collective Nouns

Explanation: When a pronoun stands for a collective noun viewed as a whole, it should be in the singular number and neuter gender.

Examples:

• “The army had to suffer terrible privations in its march.”
• “The fleet will reach its destination in a week.”
• “The crew mutinied and murdered its officers.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “army” refers to a collective group acting as a single unit during the march. Therefore, the pronoun “its” is used to refer to the army as a whole.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “fleet” and “crew” are collective nouns representing a singular entity, so the pronouns “its” are used to denote them.

Rule 2: Plural Pronouns with Collective Nouns

Explanation: When a collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole, the pronoun representing it must be plural.

Examples:

• “The jury were divided in their opinions.”
• “The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats.”
• “The team celebrated their victory with enthusiasm.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “jury” represents a group of individuals with distinct opinions, so the plural pronoun “their” is used.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “committee” and “team” consist of multiple individuals, so the plural pronouns “their” and “their” are used to denote them.

Rule: Plural Pronouns with Two or More Singular Nouns Joined by “and”

Explanation: When two or more singular nouns are joined by “and,” the pronoun used for them must be plural.

Examples:

• “Rama and Hari work hard. They are praised by their teacher.”
• “Both Sita and Savitri are tired; they have gone home.”
• “The students and the teacher had their lunch in the cafeteria.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “Rama” and “Hari” are separate individuals, so the plural pronoun “They” is used to refer to them collectively.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “Sita,” “Savitri,” “students,” and “teacher” are all separate entities, so the plural pronouns “they” and “their” are used to denote them collectively.

Rule: Singular Pronouns with Two Singular Nouns Joined by “and” Referring to the Same Person or Thing

Explanation: When two singular nouns joined by “and” refer to the same person or thing, the pronoun used must be singular.

Examples:

• “The Secretary and Treasurer is negligent of his duty.”
• “The singer and guitarist was applauded for his performance.”
• “The author and illustrator has won many awards for his work.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “Secretary” and “Treasurer” refer to the same person holding dual roles, so the singular pronoun “his” is used to denote them.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “singer” and “guitarist” and “author” and “illustrator” refer to the same individual, so the singular pronouns “his” are used to denote them.

Rule: Singular Pronouns with Two Singular Nouns Joined by “and” Preceded by “each” or “every”

Explanation: When two singular nouns joined by “and” are preceded by “each” or “every,” the pronoun must be singular.

Examples:

• “Every soldier and every sailor was in his place.”
• “Each student and each teacher will receive his own copy of the textbook.”
• “Every child and every parent should bring his identification card.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “soldier” and “sailor” refer to individuals in a collective group, so the singular pronoun “his” is used to denote them.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “student” and “teacher” and “child” and “parent” refer to individual members, so the singular pronouns “his” are used to denote them.

Rule: Singular Pronouns with Two or More Singular Nouns Joined by “or,” “either…or,” “neither…nor”

Explanation: When two or more singular nouns are joined by “or,” “either…or,” or “neither…nor,” the pronoun is generally singular.

Examples:

• “Rama or Hari must lend his hand.”
• “Either Sita or Amina forgot to take her parasol.”
• “Neither Abdul nor Karim has done his lesson.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “Rama” and “Hari” are singular nouns joined by “or,” so the singular pronoun “his” is used.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “Sita” and “Amina” and “Abdul” and “Karim” are singular nouns joined by “either…or” and “neither…nor,” so the singular pronouns “her” and “his” are used.

Rule: Plural Pronouns with a Plural Noun and a Singular Noun Joined by “or” or “nor”

Explanation: When a plural noun and a singular noun are joined by “or” or “nor,” the pronoun must be in the plural.

Examples:

• “Either the manager or his assistants failed in their duty.”
• “Neither the teacher nor the student completed their assignment on time.”
• “Either the parents or the child should pick up their belongings.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “manager” (singular) and “assistants” (plural) are joined by “or,” so the plural pronoun “their” is used.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “teacher” (singular) and “student” (singular) and “parents” (plural) and “child” (singular) are joined by “nor” and “or,” so the plural pronouns “their” and “their” are used.

Rule: First Person Plural Pronouns in Preference to Third Person Plural when Referring to Different Persons

Explanation: When a pronoun refers to more than one noun or pronoun of different persons, it should be of the first person plural in preference to the third person.

Examples:

• “You and I have done our duty.”
• “You and Hari have idled away your time.”
• “She and I have submitted our reports.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “You” and “I” refer to different persons, so the first person plural pronoun “our” is used.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “You” and “Hari” and “She” and “I” refer to different individuals, so the first person plural pronouns “your” and “our” are used.

Rule: Proper Sequence of Pronouns for Good Manners

Explanation: Good manners dictate the proper sequence of pronouns.

Examples:

• “You and I must work together.”
• “You and he must mend your ways.”
• “Hari and I are attending the conference.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In these examples, the pronouns are arranged in a manner that follows the proper sequence for good manners. The second person pronoun (“You”) is placed before the first person pronoun (“I” or “he” or “Hari”) to maintain politeness and respect.

Rule: Accusative Case Forms of Personal Pronouns

Explanation: Each personal pronoun has a different form for the accusative case.

Examples:

• “The teacher praised him for his hard work.”
• “She offered me her assistance.”
• “They invited us to their party.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “him” is the accusative case form of the pronoun “he,” used as the object of the verb “praised.”
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “me” and “us” are accusative case forms used as the objects of the verbs “offered” and “invited,” respectively.

Rule: Correct Usage with Conjunctions

Explanation: It’s a common mistake to use the subjective form of pronouns instead of the accusative form when connected by a conjunction like “and” or “or.”

Examples:

• “The presents are for you and me (Not, I).”
• “My uncle asked my brother and me to dinner.”
• “She wants to meet you and him tomorrow.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In the first example, “you and me” are the objects of the preposition “for,” so the accusative form “me” is used.
• Similarly, in the second and third examples, “my brother and me” and “you and him” are the objects of the verbs “asked” and “meet,” so the accusative forms “me” and “him” are used.

Rule: Accusative Form after the Preposition “But”

Explanation: “But” acts as a preposition in certain cases, and the accusative form of pronouns should be used after it.

Examples:

• “Nobody will help you but me. (not: I)”
• “He trusts no one but her.”
• “They invited everyone but us.”

Explanation of Examples:

• In these examples, the pronouns “me,” “her,” and “us” are in the accusative case as they are the objects of the preposition “but.”
• These rules and examples demonstrate the proper usage of personal pronouns and their forms in various contexts, ensuring clear and grammatically correct communication.