Pronoun: A word that replaces a noun or noun phrase.
Antecedent: The noun or noun phrase that the pronoun refers to.
Here's the key idea: Pronouns stand in for nouns to avoid repetition and make writing smoother. The antecedent provides the context for understanding what the pronoun is referring to.
Examples:
* "The dog wagged its tail."
* Pronoun: "its"
* Antecedent: "dog"
* "Sarah went to the store, but she forgot her wallet."
* Pronoun: "she" and "her"
* Antecedent: "Sarah"
* "The students were excited about their field trip."
* Pronoun: "their"
* Antecedent: "students"
Important Points:
* Agreement: Pronouns must agree in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) with their antecedents.
* Clear References: The antecedent should be clear. Avoid ambiguous pronoun references where it's unclear what the pronoun refers to.
* Distance: Pronouns should usually be placed relatively close to their antecedents to avoid confusion.
Let me know if you have any more questions about pronouns and antecedents!