alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

SYNTAX-PRONOUNS. 159
736. The personal pronoun is sometimes used at the beginning of 1\
Hfnt"nce, instead of the word person or persons; as, .. IIe who" -" They
who "-also" Those who "-for" 'I he persons who."
737. Pronouns representing nouns personified (12G), take the gender
(,f the noun as a person; as, .. Kight sable goddess, from her chon throne."
But pronouns representing nouns taken metaphorically (1046, S) agree
with them in their literal sense j as, .. Pitt was the pillar which in it.
strength upheld the state."
738. It is improper in the progress of a sentence to denote the slime
person by pronouns of different numbers j as, "I InLorcd long to make
thep. happ), anl now you reward me by ingratitude." It should be either
" to make you happy," or" thou rewardest," (245).
739. In the usc of pronouns, when it would Le uncertain to which of
two or mOI'e antecedent words (229) II pronoun refers, the ambiguity may
be avoided by repeating the noun, instead of using the pronoun, or by
changing the form of the sentence, thus, .. When we see the beautiful
variety of color in Ihe rainbow, we are Jed to cODsider its cause "-better
" the cause of that variety."
POSITIO~ OF PRONOUNS.
740. The first and the second personal pronoun commonly Btand instead
of nouns implicd, but not expressed. Possessive pronouns, and the pronouns
of the third person, fire commonly placed after their antece'lents
(229) j bnt sometimes this order, especially 10 poetry, is reversed.
741. When words of different persons come together, the usnal order
of nrrangement, in English, is to place the second persoll before the third,
and the first person last; as, " You and he nnd 1 are sent fo1'."-" This
matter concerns you or him or me."
In connection with these rules and obsermtions, see also the observa·
tions on gender (128-134), on number (155-160), and on personal pronouns
(240-252).
EXERCISES TO BE CORRECTED.
In each sentence, state the antecedent words to which the pronouns refer;
change the pronouns which are wrong, and give a reason for the
change:-
(729) A person's success in life depends on their exertions j
if they shall aim at nothing, they shall certainly achieve nothing.-Extremes
are not in its nature favorable to happiness.­
A man's recollections of the past regulate their anticipations
of the future.-Let every boy answer for themselves.-Each
of us had more than we wanted.-Every one of you should
attend to your own business (301).
(730-1) Discontent and sorrow manifested itself in his countenance.-Both
cold and heat have its extremes.-You and
your friend should take care of themselves.-Y ou and I must
be diligent in your studies.