lecture 8 pronouns （ ii ） objectives: objectives: 1. the concord of pronouns (and corresponding...

Lecture 8 Pronouns Lecture 8 Pronouns （（ IIII ）） Objectives: Objectives: 1. The concord of pronouns 1. The concord of pronouns

(and corresponding (and corresponding determiners) with their determiners) with their antecedents in number , antecedents in number , gender and person.gender and person.

2. The choice of case forms of 2. The choice of case forms of pronouns pronouns

Pronouns Pronouns （（ IIII ）） In English, personal, possessive, and reflexive proIn English, personal, possessive, and reflexive pro

nouns and corresponding determiners have some spenouns and corresponding determiners have some special forms: cial forms:

person : person : the first person, the second and the third perthe first person, the second and the third person)son)

NumberNumber: singular and plural form: singular and plural form GenderGender:: masculine (father ,brother he ,him masculine (father ,brother he ,him ）） ; femi; femi

nine (mother, sister, she ,hernine (mother, sister, she ,her ）） ; ; Neuter (desk, ship), and common gender (student, teNeuter (desk, ship), and common gender (student, te

acher)acher) case case : the subjective and the objective case.: the subjective and the objective case.

Pronouns Pronouns （（ IIII ）） Possessive pronouns can be divided intoPossessive pronouns can be divided into

determinative genitive pronouns (his , her, its); determinative genitive pronouns (his , her, its); nominal genitive pronouns (hers , yours)nominal genitive pronouns (hers , yours)

This lecture will deal with the concord of This lecture will deal with the concord of pronouns (and corresponding determiners) with pronouns (and corresponding determiners) with

their antecedents in number, gender and persontheir antecedents in number, gender and person

1. Pronoun concord in number1. Pronoun concord in number

The choice of pronoun number forms is generThe choice of pronoun number forms is generally determined by the number of its antecedenally determined by the number of its antecedent, that is , t, that is , a pronoun should agree with its anteca pronoun should agree with its antecedent in number.edent in number.

11 ）） pronoun concord with every-,some-,anpronoun concord with every-,some-,any-, no- as antecedenty-, no- as antecedent

When the antecedent is a compoundWhen the antecedent is a compound such as e such as everyone everybody, somebody, someone, anyoveryone everybody, somebody, someone, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, ne, anybody, no one, nobody, the pronoun and the pronoun and the corresponding determiner usually take the the corresponding determiner usually take the singular form.singular form.

11 ）） pronoun concord with every-,pronoun concord with every-,some-,any-, no- as antecedentsome-,any-, no- as antecedent

Usually we use its Usually we use its masculine gender in singular formasculine gender in singular form: he, his, him, himself. eg:m: he, his, him, himself. eg:

--Anyone--Anyone can attend the meeting if can attend the meeting if hehe is interested. is interested. --Everybody--Everybody talked at the top of talked at the top of his /theirhis /their voice. voice. --Everyone --Everyone was clappingwas clapping his/their his/their hands. hands. --Nobody --Nobody wants to go there, doeswants to go there, does he he??


No oneNo one can be happy if can be happy if hehe doesn’t know how doesn’t know how to make to make himself himself happy.happy.

I shall be glad to help I shall be glad to help every one of the girls every one of the girls in in herher studies. studies.

I shall be glad to help I shall be glad to help each of themeach of them in in hishis studies. studies.


Note that with Note that with everything, something, everything, something, anything and nothing as antecedentanything and nothing as antecedent, the , the pronoun and corresponding determiner can pronoun and corresponding determiner can only take the singular form: only take the singular form: it.it.

AnythingAnything on the table can be thrown away, on the table can be thrown away, can’tcan’t it it??

Nothing Nothing could make me give it up , couldcould make me give it up , could it it??


If If “one”“one” is used as subject, the corresponding is used as subject, the corresponding pronoun and determiner should be pronoun and determiner should be “one, one’s, “one, one’s, oneself (BE.) ; he ,his , himself” (AE) oneself (BE.) ; he ,his , himself” (AE)

(In one sentence, we should try not to use different (In one sentence, we should try not to use different forms of “one” in order to avoid repetition)forms of “one” in order to avoid repetition)

If If oneone doesn’t work hard , doesn’t work hard , one/heone/he can not succeed. can not succeed. OneOne should always make use of should always make use of hishis abilities if abilities if hehe

wants wants himselfhimself to be successful in life. to be successful in life.

2) Pronoun concord with coordinate 2) Pronoun concord with coordinate construction as antecedentconstruction as antecedent

When the antecedent is a coordinate construction, When the antecedent is a coordinate construction, the number forms of the pronoun and corresponding the number forms of the pronoun and corresponding determiner are generally determined by determiner are generally determined by the plural or the plural or singular meaning of the coordination;singular meaning of the coordination;

2) Pronoun concord with coordinate 2) Pronoun concord with coordinate construction as antecedentconstruction as antecedent

--The owner and the captain --The owner and the captain decided to abandon decided to abandon theirtheir burning ship. burning ship.

--The editor and publisher--The editor and publisher of this magazine of this magazine has has been been very strict with very strict with himselfhimself as well as as well as hishis workers. workers.

--My friend and roommate--My friend and roommate has/have has/have agreed to lend agreed to lend me me his/their his/their car (s). (either is right)car (s). (either is right)

3) Pronoun concord with collective noun as antecedent3) Pronoun concord with collective noun as antecedent

When the antecedent is a collective noun, the When the antecedent is a collective noun, the choice of the number forms of the pronoun and choice of the number forms of the pronoun and corresponding determiner depends on corresponding determiner depends on the meaning the meaning of the pronoun in the context.of the pronoun in the context.

----The government is paying The government is paying itsits attention to raising attention to raising the people’s living standard.( as a whole unit)the people’s living standard.( as a whole unit)

--The football team ____discussing __ training --The football team ____discussing __ training program ____ all look excited.program ____ all look excited.

A. Is, its… He B. is, his.. they A. Is, its… He B. is, his.. they C. C. are, their …they are, their …they D. are, their…. he D. are, their…. he

4) Pronoun concord with “plural 4) Pronoun concord with “plural noun/pronoun +each” as antecedentnoun/pronoun +each” as antecedent

The choice of the number forms of the pronoun. and The choice of the number forms of the pronoun. and corresponding determiner depends on corresponding determiner depends on the position of the position of the appositive each:the appositive each:

--Each boy and girl --Each boy and girl hashas hishis own toy. own toy. --The boy and girl each --The boy and girl each havehave theirtheir own toys. own toys. --They--They each had each had theirtheir problems.( “each” before the problems.( “each” before the

verb, plural form)verb, plural form) --They--They had each had each hishis own problem. (after the verb, own problem. (after the verb,

take singular form)take singular form)

4) Pronoun concord with “plural 4) Pronoun concord with “plural noun/pronoun +each” as antecedentnoun/pronoun +each” as antecedent

If A and B share the same gender, the If A and B share the same gender, the pronoun should be pronoun should be singular,singular, if on the other if on the other hand, they are different in gender, pronoun hand, they are different in gender, pronoun and determiner take the and determiner take the masculine onemasculine one (he, (he, him, his)him, his)

Each man and woman Each man and woman has has hishis own right. own right. Every girl and boyEvery girl and boy got what got what longed forlonged for A. they B. sheA. they B. she C. heC. he D. him D. him Every mother and daughterEvery mother and daughter in town in town hashas

been invited to the partybeen invited to the party is longing is longing for. for.

A. they A. they B. she B. she C. he D. him C. he D. him

5) Coordination with “or”; “either…or” 5) Coordination with “or”; “either…or” “neither …nor” “not only…but also” “neither …nor” “not only…but also”

The choice of Pronoun and corresponding The choice of Pronoun and corresponding determiner which follows the principle of determiner which follows the principle of proximity depends on a closely preceding proximity depends on a closely preceding nounnoun..

Did John or Did John or RoseRose finish finish herher homework? homework? Neither his brothers nor the boy ____taller Neither his brothers nor the boy ____taller

than ____father.than ____father. A. is, his A. is, his B. are, their C. are, they D. is, B. are, their C. are, they D. is,

himselfhimself

2. Pronoun concord in gender2. Pronoun concord in gender

Gender is a grammatical category. It is a set Gender is a grammatical category. It is a set of grammatical forms of of grammatical forms of nouns, determiners nouns, determiners and adjectivesand adjectives that tell of the distinctions of that tell of the distinctions of sexsex.. English nouns have four genders: English nouns have four genders: masculine, feminine, neuter, and common masculine, feminine, neuter, and common gender.gender.

2. Pronoun concord in gender2. Pronoun concord in gender

Some English pronouns, however, have Some English pronouns, however, have grammatical contrasts between personal and non-grammatical contrasts between personal and non-personal reference and between masculine and personal reference and between masculine and feminine gender. These gender distinctions are feminine gender. These gender distinctions are largely restricted to the third person singular of largely restricted to the third person singular of personal, possessive, and reflexive pronouns and personal, possessive, and reflexive pronouns and corresponding determiners. In the use of these corresponding determiners. In the use of these pronouns and determiners we must see to it that pronouns and determiners we must see to it that they agree with their antecedents in gender.they agree with their antecedents in gender.

2. Pronoun concord in gender2. Pronoun concord in gender 1) Pronoun concord with male/ female noun as 1) Pronoun concord with male/ female noun as

antecedentantecedent When the antecedent is a personal male/female When the antecedent is a personal male/female

noun, the pronoun and corresponding determiner noun, the pronoun and corresponding determiner should be masculine or feminine respectively. For should be masculine or feminine respectively. For Chinese students it is difficult for us to decide Chinese students it is difficult for us to decide whether they are male or femalewhether they are male or female..

DoyleDoyle prides prides himselfhimself upon upon hishis skill as a pianist. skill as a pianist. (male person)(male person)

AmyAmy will be given considerable authority if will be given considerable authority if sheshe accepts the new position.accepts the new position. (female person) (female person)

1) Pronoun concord with common 1) Pronoun concord with common gender noun as antecedentgender noun as antecedent

(1) Common gender nouns, such as baby, person, (1) Common gender nouns, such as baby, person, customer, doctor, speaker, teacher, students etc, can customer, doctor, speaker, teacher, students etc, can either be male or female. When used either be male or female. When used in the singular in the singular for generic referencefor generic reference, these nouns are generally , these nouns are generally referred to as referred to as “ he, his or him“ he, his or him”, or use plural forms ”, or use plural forms ““they , their or them”they , their or them” instead . instead .

An instructor should offer An instructor should offer hishis students challenging projects. students challenging projects. Instructors should offerInstructors should offer their their students challenging projects. students challenging projects.

1) Pronoun concord with common 1) Pronoun concord with common gender noun as antecedentgender noun as antecedent

(2) Some common gender nouns such as (2) Some common gender nouns such as baby, infanbaby, infant, and child t, and child may be referred to either by a personal omay be referred to either by a personal or a nonpersonal pronoun. Generally speaking we use r a nonpersonal pronoun. Generally speaking we use the neutral “it”the neutral “it”, if the speaker knows the baby’s sex,, if the speaker knows the baby’s sex, he/ shehe/ she will have to choose between the masculine a will have to choose between the masculine and the feminine pronounnd the feminine pronoun. .

2)2) Pronoun concord with neutral gender noun as Pronoun concord with neutral gender noun as antecedentantecedent

(1) When the antecedent is(1) When the antecedent is a singular noun of a singular noun of neutral gender, neutral gender, that is , a noun denoting an that is , a noun denoting an inanimate object,inanimate object, we generally use we generally use the neutral the neutral pronoun or determiner pronoun or determiner ((it, its, itself)it, its, itself)

There is a baby in the pram.There is a baby in the pram. It It’s crying.’s crying. A baby is crying in the pram. A baby is crying in the pram. SheShe must be hungry. must be hungry.

2)2) Pronoun concord with neutral gender Pronoun concord with neutral gender noun as antecedentnoun as antecedent

That book has lostThat book has lost its its cover. I will put a new one o cover. I will put a new one onn it it tomorrow.tomorrow.

The machine works by The machine works by itselfitself..

(2) Just as a baby may be designated“it”, so a mem(2) Just as a baby may be designated“it”, so a member of a ber of a nonhuman speciesnonhuman species may be designated may be designated “h“he or she”e or she”

eg,eg, a ship or a car a ship or a car may be referred to as “she or hmay be referred to as “she or her”. er”.

2)2) Pronoun concord with neutral Pronoun concord with neutral gender noun as antecedentgender noun as antecedent

(3) When the antecedent is an animal noun, it is (3) When the antecedent is an animal noun, it is generally referred to as “it”. if, on the other hand , generally referred to as “it”. if, on the other hand , the the animal is spoken ofanimal is spoken of with emotion or is personified,with emotion or is personified, it it may be referred to as may be referred to as he or she. he or she. This is also true of the This is also true of the names of names of celestial bodies or abstract ideas.celestial bodies or abstract ideas. (Referring to (Referring to “the sun” we use “he or his” and the moon “she, or her”)“the sun” we use “he or his” and the moon “she, or her”)

The catThe cat leaped onto my bed and coiled leaped onto my bed and coiled herselfherself there.there.

The sun was shining in all his splendid beauty.The sun was shining in all his splendid beauty.


(4) Names of(4) Names of countries countries may be treated either as fem may be treated either as feminine or neutral. When used as geographical units , tinine or neutral. When used as geographical units , they are inanimate and therefore neutral. If used as phey are inanimate and therefore neutral. If used as political /economic units, the names of countries are oolitical /economic units, the names of countries are often feminine, and are generally referred to as “She ften feminine, and are generally referred to as “She or her”.or her”.

--The ship struck on an iceberg, which tore a huge h--The ship struck on an iceberg, which tore a huge hole in ole in herher side. side.


--China is in east Asia. --China is in east Asia. ItIt is one of the largest countries in is one of the largest countries in the world.(the world.( as geographical units ) as geographical units )

--In the last decade of the 20th century, China began to --In the last decade of the 20th century, China began to assume assume herher role as a world power.( role as a world power.( as political units) as political units)

3. Pronoun concord in person. 3. Pronoun concord in person.

Person is a grammatical category. It is a Person is a grammatical category. It is a grammatical form that shows the referential grammatical form that shows the referential meaning of pronouns. In English, personal, meaning of pronouns. In English, personal, possessive, and reflexive pronouns and possessive, and reflexive pronouns and corresponding determiners have three special forms: corresponding determiners have three special forms: the first person, the second and the third person.the first person, the second and the third person.

Hence , in the use of pronouns, we must see to it Hence , in the use of pronouns, we must see to it that they agree with their antecedents in person.that they agree with their antecedents in person.

3. Pronoun concord in person3. Pronoun concord in person

By pronoun concord in person, we mean two By pronoun concord in person, we mean two things: first, a pronoun must agree with its things: first, a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person on the sentential level; antecedent in person on the sentential level; secondly, in a broader context, that is, in texts or secondly, in a broader context, that is, in texts or connected discourses, the speaker or writer must connected discourses, the speaker or writer must keep a consistent person in the use of pronouns. A keep a consistent person in the use of pronouns. A story may be told either in the first or in the third story may be told either in the first or in the third person. Whichever person is used, it must be person. Whichever person is used, it must be consistent from beginning to end.consistent from beginning to end.

Let’s look at two examples on the sentential level:Let’s look at two examples on the sentential level:


----Tom spoke to Tom spoke to hishis mother, but mother, but sheshe didn’t hear didn’t hear him him.. TheirTheir mother told mother told them them to return the toy, but to return the toy, but theythey

saidsaid it it was was theirs. theirs. Note that in one sentence, personal pronouns used Note that in one sentence, personal pronouns used

as generic reference should be consistent from the as generic reference should be consistent from the beginning to end.beginning to end.


As for generic reference. personal pronouns “we, As for generic reference. personal pronouns “we, they, you”they, you” （（ informalinformal ）） and “one” or “ everyband “one” or “ everybody, everyone…”(formal) can be usedody, everyone…”(formal) can be used..

WeWe all get into trouble sometimes. all get into trouble sometimes. YouYou have to exercise if have to exercise if youyou are to keep fit. are to keep fit. OneOne is never too old to learn. is never too old to learn.


EverybodyEverybody should obey the law. should obey the law. ---If ---If wewe are making statements about people in gene are making statements about people in gene

ral, ral, wewe should not shift from one person to another, should not shift from one person to another, but but wewe should be consistent in should be consistent in ourour use of pronouns o use of pronouns of generic person.f generic person.

33. Pronoun concord in person. Pronoun concord in person

In English , In English , most personal pronouns and the most personal pronouns and the interrogative / relative pronounsinterrogative / relative pronouns who have who have three case forms:three case forms: the subjective case, objective the subjective case, objective case and genitive case. The genitive case falls case and genitive case. The genitive case falls into two categories: the determinative genitive into two categories: the determinative genitive and the nominal genitive. and the nominal genitive. The following The following concerns the choice of case forms of pronounsconcerns the choice of case forms of pronouns

1) Choice between subjective and objective case1) Choice between subjective and objective case

Generally speaking, when a personal pronoun is Generally speaking, when a personal pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence, it takes the used as the subject of a sentence, it takes the subjective case; when used as the object, the subjective case; when used as the object, the objective case; when used to show possession, the objective case; when used to show possession, the genitive case. But things are by no means all that genitive case. But things are by no means all that simple ,simple , there are exceptions to this general rule. there are exceptions to this general rule. With regard to the choice of pronoun case forms, the With regard to the choice of pronoun case forms, the following points are to be noted. following points are to be noted.


(1)(1) In comparative clauses,(…than/ as…)In comparative clauses,(…than/ as…) The choice between subjective and objective case The choice between subjective and objective case

follows the general rule. That is, in formal style follows the general rule. That is, in formal style when the verb is an intransitive one, we use the when the verb is an intransitive one, we use the subjective case of the pronoun; when the verb is a subjective case of the pronoun; when the verb is a transitive one, we use its objective case, when the transitive one, we use its objective case, when the pron. after “as /than” is used as subject , we use its pron. after “as /than” is used as subject , we use its subjective case, otherwise objective case.subjective case, otherwise objective case.

I am taller than I am taller than hehe( is)( is) You are as tall as You are as tall as II (am) (am)

1) 1) Choice between subjective and objective caseChoice between subjective and objective case --He broke the window rather than --He broke the window rather than sheshe/her/her --I trust you as much as --I trust you as much as her/her/ she.(…as I trust her) she.(…as I trust her) （（

(…as she trust you)(…as she trust you) Compare: A: He likes Mary better than ICompare: A: He likes Mary better than I B: He likes Mary better than me.B: He likes Mary better than me. # # When such a pronoun has its own apposition, we uWhen such a pronoun has its own apposition, we u

su. use its objective case:su. use its objective case:

1) 1) Choice between subjective and objective caseChoice between subjective and objective case -- -- He is clever than He is clever than usus all. all. --She is taller than--She is taller than them them both. both. (2) In a SVC construction where the subject (2) In a SVC construction where the subject

complement is a personal pronoun, the objective is complement is a personal pronoun, the objective is much more natural than the subjective case,much more natural than the subjective case, that is, that is, the informal style is more useful.the informal style is more useful.

--Who’s knowing at the door? --Who’s knowing at the door? ---- It’s me. ---- It’s me. ---The winners are---The winners are them. them. So it is with the following constructions:So it is with the following constructions: think…to be; imagine…to be ;suppose… to bethink…to be; imagine…to be ;suppose… to be

1) 1) Choice between subjective and objective caseChoice between subjective and objective case

--They --They imagineimagine the new manager the new manager to be me.to be me. --People --People supposedsupposed the best player the best player to be her.to be her. (3) (3) In a cleft-sentence (it is/ was…that In a cleft-sentence (it is/ was…that

/who… )where the focal element is a personal /who… )where the focal element is a personal pronoun, pronoun, the subjective case is much more commonthe subjective case is much more common than the objective case though it is permissible to than the objective case though it is permissible to use the objective case in informal style.use the objective case in informal style.

..


--It is --It is hehe who did it. who did it. --It was --It was sheshe/her who solved the problem./her who solved the problem. But if the focal element is used as object in that- or But if the focal element is used as object in that- or

who-clause, we use the objective form of the who-clause, we use the objective form of the pronoun.pronoun.

It is It is herher that we are talking about that we are talking about


(4) (4) when the subject of a sentence is the when the subject of a sentence is the construction of “everybody/nobody +but/except + construction of “everybody/nobody +but/except + personal pronoun”,personal pronoun”,

usually the pronoun should occur in the objective usually the pronoun should occur in the objective case , because it is after the preposition. but usage case , because it is after the preposition. but usage requires that requires that the subjective case is used when the the subjective case is used when the whole construction is used as the subject or whole construction is used as the subject or objective case when the whole construction is used objective case when the whole construction is used as object. as object.


# # If the prepositional phrase is shifted to the end of If the prepositional phrase is shifted to the end of the sentence, the pronoun usually occurs in the the sentence, the pronoun usually occurs in the objective case even though it remains part of the objective case even though it remains part of the subject.subject.

--Nobody but she--Nobody but she can solve our problems. can solve our problems. --Nobody --Nobody can solve our problems can solve our problems but her.but her. ---I interviewed---I interviewed everybody but everybody but him him


(5)(5) In a who-questionIn a who-question , the case form of the , the case form of the interrogative pronoun is determined by its function interrogative pronoun is determined by its function in the sentence, In formal style, the pronoun should in the sentence, In formal style, the pronoun should be in the subjective when it functions as subject, and be in the subjective when it functions as subject, and in the objective case when it functions as object, but in the objective case when it functions as object, but now we usually use its subjective to replace its now we usually use its subjective to replace its objective case except it is after the preposition.objective case except it is after the preposition.

--Who--Who /whom are you talking about? /whom are you talking about? --From who/--From who/whomwhom did you receive the letter? did you receive the letter?


(6) In a relative clause introduced by who, where the (6) In a relative clause introduced by who, where the relative pronoun functions as the subject/object of relative pronoun functions as the subject/object of the clause and is followed by an insertion “I the clause and is followed by an insertion “I believe/think” , the pronoun generally occurs in the believe/think” , the pronoun generally occurs in the subjective case or objective case.subjective case or objective case.

--She has an adopted child --She has an adopted child who/who/whom (she says) whom (she says) was an orphan.was an orphan.

--I shall lent my book to the person --I shall lent my book to the person whomwhom I think I I think I trust.trust.


(7)(7) In a nominal clause introduced by whoeverIn a nominal clause introduced by whoever, the , the choice of the case form follows the general rule. If choice of the case form follows the general rule. If the personal pronoun functions as subject in the the personal pronoun functions as subject in the nominal clause, we use its subjective case, otherwise nominal clause, we use its subjective case, otherwise objective case. objective case. If this kind of relative pronoun acts If this kind of relative pronoun acts as the subject complement after a verb phrase as the subject complement after a verb phrase containing to be, it usu. occurs in the objective containing to be, it usu. occurs in the objective case,:case,:

--They always elect --They always elect whoever is popular.whoever is popular.


----I trust I trust whomever they will elect.whomever they will elect.

--The woman (who, --The woman (who, whomwhom) we thought to be (she, ) we thought to be (she, herher) turned out to be her sister) turned out to be her sister

2) 2) Choice between objective and Choice between objective and

genitive casegenitive case As has been noted, when a personal pronoun As has been noted, when a personal pronoun

is used as the object of a sentence, it usually is used as the object of a sentence, it usually occurs in the objective case, and, when used to occurs in the objective case, and, when used to denote possession, in the genitive case. Apart denote possession, in the genitive case. Apart from these, the following points merit our from these, the following points merit our attention.attention.


genitive casegenitive case When an –ing participle clause with a personal prWhen an –ing participle clause with a personal pr

onoun as its own subject (personal pron.+-ing form) onoun as its own subject (personal pron.+-ing form) functions functions as subject , object or subject complementas subject , object or subject complement of the main clause, or of the main clause, or object of prepositional phrase ,object of prepositional phrase , the pronoun usually occurs in the genitive case the pronoun usually occurs in the genitive case. In i. In informal style, however, the pronoun may also appeanformal style, however, the pronoun may also appear in the objectiver in the objective case. case.


genitive casegenitive case (1) as subject(1) as subject Their coming Their coming to help was a great encouragement to to help was a great encouragement to

us .us . It’s no use It’s no use your tellingyour telling me not to worry me not to worry.. (2) as object(2) as object I appreciate I appreciate youryour / you telling me that. / you telling me that. I want to avoid I want to avoid hishis/him thinking that I don’t want to /him thinking that I don’t want to

help.help.

2) 2) Choice between objective and Choice between objective and genitive casegenitive case

(3) as subject complement(3) as subject complement Our sole worry is Our sole worry is your/your/you relying too much on yourself.you relying too much on yourself.

(4) Object of preposition(4) Object of preposition Likewise, when the above-mentioned –ing form is used Likewise, when the above-mentioned –ing form is used

as prepositional complemention, the pronoun can occur as prepositional complemention, the pronoun can occur either in either in the genitive or in the objective casethe genitive or in the objective case. the former . the former being more frequently used than the latter.being more frequently used than the latter.

--I told them about--I told them about your your/you resigning from office./you resigning from office. --I am surprised at --I am surprised at hishis/him making that mistake./him making that mistake.


genitive casegenitive case They insisted on They insisted on mymy/me staying there for supper./me staying there for supper. Compare: Compare: Mary’sMary’s coming late annoyed him. coming late annoyed him. (as subject, only genitive case)(as subject, only genitive case) I hate I hate Mary’s/ Mary/ herMary’s/ Mary/ her coming late. coming late. (as object, three case forms)(as object, three case forms)


(5) When “ personal pronoun with the generic (5) When “ personal pronoun with the generic reference or an inanimate object + -ing form” is ureference or an inanimate object + -ing form” is u

sed as object in a sentence, we use its sed as object in a sentence, we use its common gendcommon gender.er.

--I don’t like --I don’t like young people / them young people / them smoking.smoking. --She hate--She hate people people losing their tempers. losing their tempers. --He was awaked by --He was awaked by someone knockingsomeone knocking on the wind on the wind

ow. ow. --Is there any hope of--Is there any hope of our team winning our team winning the game? the game?


(6) In an SVOC construction, where the object is rea(6) In an SVOC construction, where the object is realized by a personal pronoun, and the object complelized by a personal pronoun, and the object complement by an –ing form , the pronoun can only takement by an –ing form , the pronoun can only take th the objective case.e objective case.

inin SVOC construction: SVOC construction: see/hear/feel / notice /find sb doingsee/hear/feel / notice /find sb doing get/ have/set sb/sth.doingget/ have/set sb/sth.doing I saw I saw himhim falling down into the river. falling down into the river. They caught They caught him him cheating on the exam.cheating on the exam.

2) Choice between objective and 2) Choice between objective and

genitive casegenitive case (7) when an infinitive clause with a personal pronou(7) when an infinitive clause with a personal pronou

n as its own subject functions as the object of the man as its own subject functions as the object of the main clause, the pronoun can only occur in the objectivin clause, the pronoun can only occur in the objective case.e case.

personal pron.+to infinitive:personal pron.+to infinitive: teach/order/…sb to doteach/order/…sb to do (intend/ trouble/forbid/order/ cause/enable…)(intend/ trouble/forbid/order/ cause/enable…) --They advised --They advised meme to reconsider my decision. to reconsider my decision. --Everyone wanted --Everyone wanted meme to be the leader of the move to be the leader of the move

ment.ment.

lecture 8 pronouns （ ii ） objectives: objectives: 1. the concord of pronouns (and corresponding...

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