We use a pronoun to replace a noun. The noun must be mentioned first before we can use a pronoun to reference that noun. Common pronouns are the words her, him, she, he, they, it
Look at this sentence: She lost her keys.
The words she and her are both pronouns. The pronoun her obviously refers back to the woman who is she, but without a noun, the reader does not know who she is.
Mom lost her keys.
In this sentence, the noun Mom is used first. The pronoun her refers back to Mom.
Mom is the antecedent for the pronoun her.
Always be sure to use a noun as an antecedent noun before using a pronoun.
Bob drove me to the movies, and Dave met us there. He has a new car.
The pronoun He may be referring to Bob, or it may be referring to Dave. The reader doesn’t know. Both Bob and Dave could be the antecedent noun for the pronoun He.
To make this sentence better, we must establish which boy’s name goes with the pronoun He. Here are two different ways to improve this sentence:
Bob drove me to the movies, and Dave met us there. Dave has a new car.
Bob drove me to the movies in his new car, and Dave met us there.
Be careful to avoid confusion when using pronouns. Only use a pronoun when the antecedent is obvious to the writer.
▶It’s your turn. Use the tips you learned today about pronouns to improve this confusing sentence. If necessary, make up a noun to serve as an antecedent for the confusing pronoun. He dropped the box on his foot. Did you figure it out? Good for you!