Practical Grammar and Composition | Page 7

its VERDICT, The COMMITTEE makes ITS report.
An animal named may be regarded as masculine; feminine, or neuter, according to the characteristics the writer fancies it to possess; as, The WOLF seeks HIS prey, The MOUSE nibbled HER way into the box, The BIRD seeks ITS nest.
Certain nouns may be applied to persons of either sex. They are then said to be of COMMON GENDER. There are no pronouns of common gender; hence those nouns are referred to as follows:
1. By masculine pronouns when known to denote males; as, MY CLASS-MATE(known to be Harry) is taking HIS examinations.
2. By feminine pronouns when known to denote females; as, EACH OF THE PUPILS of the Girls High School brought HER book.
3. By masculine pronouns when there is nothing in the connection of the thought to show the sex of the object; as, Let every PERSON bring his book.
21. NUMBER OF PRONOUNS. A more common source of error than disagreement in gender is disagreement in number. They, their, theirs, and them are plural, but are often improperly used when only singular pronouns should be used. The cause of the error is failure to realize the true antecedent.
If ANYBODY makes that statement, THEY are misinformed. This sentence is wrong. Anybody refers to only one person; both any and body, the parts of the word, denote the singular. The sentence should read, If ANYBODY makes that statement, HE is misinformed. Similarly, Let EVERYBODY keep THEIR peace, should read, Let EVERYBODY keep HIS peace.
22. COMPOUND ANTECEDENTS. Two or more antecedents connected by or or nor are frequently referred to by the plural when the singular should be used. Neither John nor James brought THEIR books, should read, Neither John nor James brought HIS books. When a pronoun has two or more singular antecedents connected by or or nor, the pronoun must be in the singular number; but if one of the antecedents is plural, the pronoun must, also, be in the plural; as, Neither the Mormon nor his wives denied THEIR religion.
When a pronoun has two or more antecedents connected by and, the pronoun must be in the plural number; as, John and James brought THEIR books.
Further treatment of number will be given under verbs.
EXERCISE 8
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the proper pronouns. See that there is agreement in person, gender, and number:
1. Has everybody finished ---- work. 2. If any one wishes a longer time, let ---- hold up ---- hand. 3. The panther sprang from ---- lurking place. 4. Many a man has (have) lost ---- money in speculation. 5. The cat came each day for ---- bit of meat. 6. Everyone has to prove ---- right to a seat. 7. Let every boy answer for ---- self (selves). 8. The crowd was so great that we could hardly get through ----. 9. Let any boy guess this riddle if ---- can. 10. Company H was greatly reduced in ---- numbers. 11. Every animal has some weapon with which ---- can defend ----self (selves). 12. Nowhere does each dare do as ---- pleases (please). 13. The elephant placed ---- great foot on the man's chest. 14. The child did not know ---- mother. 15. Death gathers ---- unfailing harvest. 16. Every kind of animal has ---- natural enemies. 17. The committee instructed ---- chairman to report the matter. 18. Two men were present, but neither would tell what ---- saw. 19. Truth always triumphs over ---- enemies. 20. Nobody did ---- duty more readily than I. 21. The cat never fails to catch ---- prey. 22. I have used both blue crayon and red crayon, but ---- does (do) not write so clearly as white. 23. If John and Henry whisper (whispers) ---- will be punished. 24. If John or Henry whisper (whispers) ---- will be punished. 25. Both Columbus and Cabot failed to realize the importance of ---- discoveries. 26. Neither the lawyer nor the sheriff liked ---- task. 27. The canary longed to escape from ---- cage. 28. The rat ran to ---- hole. 29. The dog seemed to know ---- master was dead. 30. Everyone should try to gather a host of friends about ----. 31. If any one wishes to see me, send ---- to the Pierce Building. 32. Probably everybody is discouraged at least once in ---- life. 33. Nobody should deceive ----selves (self). 34. Let each take ---- own seat. 35. Let each girl in the class bring ---- book. 36. Let each bring ---- book. 37. Let each bring ---- sewing. 38. The fox dropped ---- meat in the pool. 39. The rock lay on ---- side. 40. Let sleep enter with ---- healing touch. 41. Each believed that ---- had been elected a delegate to the Mother's Congress. 42. Consumption demands each year