In all patterns, there must be agreement of noun and pronoun.
Incorrect:If you want to leave a message for Mr. Smith, I will be glad to take them.
Correct: If you want to leave a message for Mr. Smith, I will be glad to take it.
Incorrect:He's interested in mathematics and their applications.
Correct: He's interested in mathematics and its applications.
212. Agreement - subject and possessive pronouns.
In all patterns, there must be agreement of subject and possessive pronouns that refer to the subject.
"It's" is the abbreviation for "it is" rather than a possessive pron.
Those of us who have studied math needn't have this course in our schedule.
(1st person, plur) [not "their"]
213. Agreement - indefinite subject and possessive pronouns.
In all patterns, there must be agreement of indefinite subject and possessive pronouns that refer to the subject.
Possessive pronouns "his","her","its" are singular.
Don't use "their" when referring to a singular indefinite subject (P209); use "his" instead (or "her", referring specifically to a woman).
S(sing) poss.pron.(sing.)
Each student should have his schedule...
Everyone must know his number.
214. Agreement - impersonal pronouns.
In all patterns, there must be agreement of indefinite subject and possessive pronouns that refer to the subject.
Possessive pronouns "his","her","its" are singular.
For formal writing, it is necessary to continue use "one" and "one's" throughout the sentence. For more informal writing, "he" or "his" may be used instead of "one" or "one's".
Don't use "you/your", "they/their" when refer to the impersonal pronoun "one".
One must present one's/his thesis... [not "your" or "their"]
If one doesn't work hard, one/he can't expect to succeed. [Not "you" or "they"]
INTRODUCTORY VERBAL MODIFIERS
Introductory verbal modifiers introduce and modify the subject and verb in the main clause of the sentence. They can be –ing forms, -ed forms, or infinitives. They are usually separated from clause by a comma.
215. Verbal modifiers - "-ing" and "-ed" forms.
The verbal modifier should modify the noun IMMEDIATELY following it. Otherwise the relationship between the noun and the modifier is unclear and sentence is illogical.
Incorrect: After graduating, Prof. Smith's studies were continued...
Correct: After graduating, Prof. Smith continued his studies...
( "After graduating" modifies "Prof. Smith", rather than "studies", because it was Prof. Smith, not his studies, who did graduate.)
Incorrect: Accustomed to getting up early, the new schedule was no difficult for him to adjust to.
Correct: Accustomed to getting up early, he had no difficulty adjusting to the new schedule.
("Accustomed to getting up early" modifies "he", because it was he, not the schedule, who is accustomed).
