美国入学考试,英语复习资料.doc

Overview: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Pronouns and the words they refer to—their antecedents—must agree in number. That is, both must be singular or both must be plural. Usually, pronoun agreement is not a problem, as these sentences show: Singular: Mr. Parker dropped his pager. Plural: Marianne and Marvin gave their opinions. Indefinite Pronouns Pronoun agreement may become a problem with indefinite pronouns, which do not refer to a specific person or thing. Indefinite pronouns that are always singular give writers the most trouble. Not: One of the contestants did their dance routine. (How many students did the dance routine? Only one, so use a singular pronoun. ) Correct: One of the contestants did her dance routine. Correct: One of the contestants did his dance routine. Not: Somebody left the lights on in their car. (How many people left the lights on? One person, so use a singular pronoun. ) Correct: Somebody left the lights on in her car. Correct: Somebody left the lights on in his car. Here is a list of indefinite pronouns that are always singular. Singular Indefinite Pronouns another everybody neither one anybody everyone nobody other anyone everything none somebody anything little no one someone each much nothing something either Hint: A few indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural, depending on their meaning in the sentence. These pronouns are any, all, more, most, and some. Singular: Most of the senior class had its orientation today. Plural: Most of the seniors had their orientation today. In the first sentence, class is considered a single body, so the singular pronoun its is used. In the second sentence, the seniors are individuals, so the plural pronoun their is used. Agreement Between Pronouns and Compound Antecedents When compound antecedents are joined by or or nor, make the pronoun agree with the part of the compound that is closest to it. Singular: Neither the salespeople nor the manager aired her ideas at the meeting. The