Pronouns & Antecedents (SC) Flashcards
4 Properties of a Pronoun
A pronoun Must - Refer to a single Antecedent, not be redundant, agree in number with the antecedent, and have the correct case.
R N S C - Redundant, Number, Single, Case
1) A pronoun must not Be Redundant i.e it should not be performing the same function as the noun it replaces.
2) A pronoun and its antecedents must agree in number.
3) To avoid confusion a Pronoun must not refer to multiple Antecedents.
4) The Pronoun’s case must be correct i.e Subject, Object or Possessive depending on what role it is performing.
4 Properties of an Antecedent
An Antecedent -Must Exist be Logical not be an adjective or a clause
E L A C - Exist Logical Adjective Clause
1) A Pronoun must have an Antecedents and cannot exist alone. (The infamous they)
2) A Pronoun must not refer to an illogical antecedent. (The Label “”)
3) Antecedent cannot be an Adjective i.e noun acting as an adjective
(Jax feared the chemistry exam because it was not his best subject. It refers to chemistry, however, chemistry is an adjective modifying exam and an exam cannot be a subject!)
4) An Antecedent will generally be a noun, not a Clause i.e the pronoun will refer to something singular, not an entire idea.
(My dog remained lost for days, WHICH caused me to lose sleep until IT was found. IT seems to refer to the idea of the dog being lost or days)
