Each chapter is self-contained. Unlike a conventional textbook, you do not need to start on page 1. You may begin with whatever topic you would like to gain more active control over. There are two basic types of nouns in English: proper nouns and common nouns. Proper nouns are the names of specific individuals, places, and things; common nouns are the names of classes of persons, places, and things. | 76 Noun Phrases The general rule is that the antecedent of a reflexive pronoun is the nearest preceding noun that plays the role of subject or object of a verb. Here are some more examples of objects being the antecedent Mary wanted Ralph to dress himself as a pirate for the costume party. I wish you would behave yourself. We will give them a chance to redeem themselves. She told the kids to behave themselves. Very often in conversation you will hear a reflective pronoun that seems to have no antecedent. For example Take care of yourself. Behave yourselves now Do yourselves a favor. Don t hurt yourself. Just be yourself and you will be fine. All of these sentences are commands with an understood you which can be either singular or plural as subject. The understood you is the antecedent to the reflexive pronouns yourself or yourselves. You take care of yourself. You behave yourselves now You do yourselves a favor. You don t hurt yourself. You just be yourself and you will be fine. Exercise Fill in the blank with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. Confirm your answer by underlining the pronoun s antecedent. If the antecedent is understood insert you. He tends to repeat_ He tends to repeat himself. 1. Please I can do it by 2. They refused to allow to give up hope. 3. My little girl always sings to sleep. Pronouns 77 4. I told them that I would do it by 5. It was so noisy that we couldn t hear think. 6. The trip could almost pay for 7. The workers were putting out of a job. 8. It was such an interesting book that the pages seemed to turn 9. The system is designed to shut off in the event of an emergency. 10. Don t be so hard on 11. All successful politicians believe in 12. We wanted the children to be able to look after 13. Jane encouraged Sam to do it 14. Try doing it by__ 15. I can t stand tr aveling by There is another completely different use of reflexive pronouns
