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Section 4.2 - Pronouns

  1. Marketing Style Guide
  2. Introduction
  3. Details
  4. Appendix A: Official Names
  5. Appendix B: Grammar
    1. Section 4.1
    2. Section 4.2
noun/pronoun agreement
  • Pronouns should agree with their antecedents (nouns) in number. Do not use a singular noun with a plural pronoun, or vice versa.
    Correct: Most people want to have their cake and eat it too.
    Incorrect: Everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too.
which/that
  • That introduces a statement that limits or restricts its antecedent. Which introduces a statement that clarifies or adds information about its antecedent and is usually set apart with commas.
    Correct: The organization that raises the most funds wins the competition.
    Correct: The lawnmower, which is in the garage, needs sharpening.
who/that
  • Who refers to people. That refers to groups or things.
    Correct: John remembers the faculty members who made the greatest difference in his life.
    Correct: John remembers the basketball games that were most exciting.
who/whom
  • Who is a subject pronoun (a nominative case pronoun). It can be substituted with he, she, they, or we.
    Correct: Who is that person in the corner?
    Correct: He is the man who received the award.
  • Whom is used as an object (an objective case pronoun). It can be substituted with him, her, them, or us.
    Correct: Whom can we turn to in a time of crisis?
    Correct: Jones is the man with whom I went fishing last spring.
    Correct: The women, two of whom are my sisters, went shopping in Easton.