College Composition / Unit 5 CMP 0106 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Generic Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns
Captions available
The idea
Generic nouns, such as a doctor or an athlete, and most indefinite pronouns, such as everyone and each, are singular in meaning.
In practice
Traditionally they took he or his; writers now commonly use they, or avoid the problem: "Everyone has an opinion," or "Doctors must show they care."
Where people slip
Their with everyone is widely accepted, but follow the guide your instructor names.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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