Choosing a singular pronoun for a plural noun

The problem many people have with pronouns is choosing the right form to replace the noun. Sometimes people will replace a singular noun with a plural pronoun or a plural noun with a singular pronoun.

• Incorrect: The guest needs their own towel.
• Correct: The guest needs his/her own towel.

Object and subject pronoun misuse

Problems arise when people have to choose between the subject and object cases. You need to know which case to use when replacing a noun. Otherwise, your sentence will not be grammatically correct.

Subject pronouns represent a noun performing an action. In contrast, an object receives the action performed by the subject.

• Incorrect: Between you and I, miracles happen.
• Correct: Between you and me, miracles happen.

You would use the object case because it is part of a prepositional phrase.

Incorrect reflexive pronoun use

People often use reflexive pronouns wrong when they try to write formally. You use reflective pronouns when the subject is also the object of a sentence. For example, you would not write Mary hurt Mary. Instead, you would write Mary hurt herself. You would use the reflexive pronoun herself instead of Mary.

You can also use reflective pronouns for emphasis; however, it not commonly used. For example, I myself went to the store. This example highlights the fact the person when to the store alone.