Rule number one:
Pronouns that are singular require singular verbs i.e
I, he, she, everybody, everyone, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, someone, somebody, each, either, neither
For example:
1. Each of the girls sings well.
2. Either of us is capable of doing the job.
3. Neither of them is available to speak right now.
Rule number two:
If two people possess the same item and one of the joint owners is written as a pronoun, use the possessive form for both.
For example:
Incorrect: John and my home
Correct: John's and my home
Incorrect: him and John's home
Correct: his and John's home
Rule number three:
When 'who' refers to a personal pronoun (I, you, he, she, we, they), it takes the verb that agrees with that pronoun.
For example:
Incorrect: It is I who is sorry.
Correct: It is I who am sorry. (I am)
Incorrect: It is you who is mistaken.
Correct: It is you who are mistaken. (you are)
Rule number four:
A pronoun in the nominative form should be compared with the same form of the pronoun.
For example:
1. He is better than I.
2. I respect you more than him. (Two objectives are compared)
Rule number five:
We should use the personal pronouns in the order of 231 i.e second person, third person, first person.
For example:
Incorrect: I, he and you are to finish it.
Correct: You, he and I are to finish it.
Rule number six:
However, the order 1,2,3 is also possible when we admit guilt i.e first person, second person, third person.
For example: I, you and he have committed the sin.
Rule number seven:
When nouns are joined by 'and'
-If they refer to the same person, then pronoun for them should be singular.
-If they refer to a different person, then pronoun for them should be plural.
For example:
Incorrect: The Manager and Principal of the college told their vision statement.
Correct: The Manager and Principal of the college told his vision statement.
Incorrect: Ali and Ahmed are boasting about his rich father.
Correct: Ali and Ahmed are boasting about their rich father.
Rule number eight:
When a sentence starts with 'each' or 'every' and two singular nouns are joined by 'and', then we should use singular pronoun only.
For example:
Incorrect: Every dog and horse has lost their tail.
Correct: Every dog and horse has lost its tail.
Rule number nine:
The reciprocal pronouns 'Each other' and 'one another' are used as follows:
Each other- for two persons
One another- for more than two persons
For example:
1. Two sisters love each other.
2. Five brothers hate one another.
Rule number ten:
The verbs given as follows are followed by either an 'object' or a 'reflexive pronoun'.
Hurt, cheat, introduce, prostrate, present, absent, satisfy, prepare, enjoy, avail of
For example:
1. I introduced her to the Principal. (Her=object)
2. I introduced myself to the Principal. (Myself=reflexive pronoun)
3. He enjoyed the party. (Party=object)
4. He enjoyed himself at the party. (Himself=reflexive pronoun)
Rule number eleven:
The pronouns 'who, that, which' become singular or plural depending on the subject. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
For example:
1. He is the only one of those men who is always on time.
2. He is one of those men who are always on time.
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