adminBEFORE we get to the holiday mood learners might benefit from these grammatical facts. The subject of parts of speech has been dwelt with for a long time. But, as stated earlier parts of speech will always crop up here and there because all language structures are based on them. For instance, we have discussed the pronoun before, but today we will add more information not covered before.
Pronouns take the place of nouns in sentences. Pronouns are words that can be used instead of nouns so that you do not keep using the same words. It is better to use pronouns in sentences than using the same nouns over and over again. Learners should avoid repeating themselves. Examiners hate monotony. John is absent today because John is ill. With a pronoun the sentence reads: John is absent because he is ill. “He” is a pronoun that replaces the noun John.
Pronouns change depending on their function in a sentence. If a pronoun is doing the action, it is called the subject of the sentence. If the pronoun is receiving the action it is called the object. Examples: I taught him. The pronoun “I” is doing the action. “Him” is receiving the action. We are encouraged to use “I”, “you”, “he/she/it”, “we” or “they” if the pronoun is doing something in the sentence. Pronouns also show possession: These toys are hers. “Hers”, is who owns the toys.
Learners should avoid using too many pronouns in one sentence as it will make their writing confusing. Make it clear at the start of a sentence to “whom” or “what” the pronouns are referring. Jane was angry with the students when she pronounced the harsh punishment. When we use “she” later on in the sentence it is clear that the subject is Jane. Do not use “Me” when you mean “I” This always confuses many people. To understand this, take note of the following explanations:
If a pronoun is doing the action, you cannot use “me” — you need “I” instead. Look at this scenario: Paul and me fixed the stove. This sentence is wrong. Let us prove how it is wrong. Break it into two sentences and see why. Paul fixed the stove. Me fixed the stove. You cannot say “me fixed” but you can say “I fixed.” The sentence should be written this way: Paul and I fixed the stove. If you are writing about yourself and someone else, the other person’s name always goes first — the “I” or “me” always comes second.
If the pronoun is receiving the action, that is, if it comes after the verb, do not use “I” — you need “me”. Give the books to Elliot and I. But say: Give the books to Elliot and me. Remove “Elliot and” from the sentence to check you have used the correct pronoun. Give the books to “I”. This sentence is wrong, but this one: Give the books to me, is correct. After “Between” or “With” you must use me. When you use prepositions like “between” or “with” use “me” rather than “I”.
Remember a preposition is a word which tells you how things are related. Between you and I, this is unacceptable. This is incorrect. But, between you and me this is unacceptable. The latter sentence is correct. Moyo arrived here with James and I, is incorrect. But, Moyo arrived here with James and me, is correct. Let us consider the use of who, which and that. Use “Who” when talking about people. “That” can refer to people, but “who” can never be used to talk about things.
Use “which” when talking about things. Use “which” when talking about animals or things. The animals which were affected by foot and mouth were slaughtered yesterday. “That” is also used to write about people and things, but, it is better to use “who” or “which” instead of “that” in your essays. The bottom line is for learners to avoid using “that” and stick to using “who” for writing about people, and “which” for writing about things.
There are two main ways of using “who” and “which”. You can use “who” and “which” when you ask a question. Questions often start with “who” or which”. Examples: Who is in the classroom? “Which” can only be used for questions when there are a limited number of possible answers. Otherwise you should use “what”. “Who”, “Which” and “That” can be used to link two sentences. If you are talking about people you should usually use “who” or “that”.
Mr Ndlovu is a teacher. He teaches Mathematics. These sentences can be combined this way: Mr Ndlovu is a teacher who teaches Mathematics. If you are talking about things use “which” or “that”. Remember, it is “who” for people and “which” for things. On top of all this, we have “who” or “whom”, or “whose”. All these words are variations of “who”. They can only be used in reference to people. “Who” is the subject of a sentence, “Whom” is the object.
If the person you are talking about is the subject (doing the action) — use “who”. If the person you are talking is the object (receiving the action) — use “whom”. More information will follow on these language aspects. We leave it here for today.
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Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter