134. Inflection of Indefinite Pronouns.- One and other are the only indefinite pronouns that have plural forms. They are declined like nouns, thus:

Reciprocals, also compounds of one and body with any, every, no, and some, form the possessive singular; as, each other's, one another's, any one's, anybody's, etc.

Indefinite pronouns are the only pronouns that admit the apostrophe in forming the possessive case.

135. Indefinite Pronouns Discriminated. The indefinite pronouns of the following groups are synonymous. Note these distinctions:

(1) Each, all. Each and all apply to the entire number, each individually, all collectively; as, Let each of us get ready and all advance together.

(2) Each, both, either.— Each applies to two or more taken separately, both to two taken together, either to one of two: as, Each of the two solutions seems to be correct, but both are wrong; You may have either of the two apples but not both.

(3) Either, any.- Either applies to two, any to more than two; as, Take either of the two or any of the five.

(4) Neither, none.— - Neither applies to two, none to more than two: as, Neither of the twins is living; None of the family is well.

(5) Each other, one another.— Each other and one another are used interchangeably, but sometimes this distinction is made: each other applies to two, one another to more than two. Thus, John and James are fond of each other; John, James, and George are fond of one another.

(6) Few, a few. Few has a negative force and is opposed to many; a few means some and does not imply opposition: as, I am sorry that few are satisfied; I am glad that a few will remain.

EXERCISE 95

Choose between the two expressions and give a reason for your choice:

1. Each (all) came in together.

2. Each (all) came bearing a palm leaf.
3. We have lost neither (none) of the two.
4. We have saved neither (none) of the six.
5. I am glad that a few (few) of you are well.
6. I am glad that a few (few) of you are sick.
7. You have no use for either (any) of the two.
8. I have no use for either (any) of the three.

9. We are commanded to love each other (one another).
10. Mary and Jane are fond of each other (one another).

11. You may have either of the books but not both (both of the books but not either).

12. Each (both) said the other was wrong, but each (both) agreed to let me settle the dispute.

136. Personal Pronouns Used Indefinitely. We, you, or they may be used indefinitely, meaning one, a person, or people; thus,

We (a person) may try and yet fail.
You (one) cannot please everybody.
They (people) say that he is wealthy.

137. Agreement of Pronoun and Antecedent.

A pro

noun agrees with its antecedent in gender and number;

thus,

Father says that he is not well.
Margaret asked me to assist her.

The tree supports itself by its roots.

These men were praising themselves.

We have seen (109, 2) that the masculine forms he, his, and him are used in referring to a singular antecedent that applies to persons of either sex; as, Let every one make himself (not themselves) agreeable.

Sometimes the feminine form of the pronoun is combined with the masculine; as, Every boy and girl should do his or her part well. This form of reference, however, is clumsy and should be avoided unless required by exactness.

She is commonly used instead of he in referring indefinitely to elementary teachers; as, The teacher should plan her work well.

Careful writers and speakers prefer to repeat the pronoun one rather than to use he; as, One should stand by one's convictions.

It does not sound well, however, to use one three or more times in the same connection; as, One should help one's friends whenever one can. In such cases it is better to recast the sentence; thus, We should help our friends whenever we can, or A man should help his friends whenever he can.

Care should be taken not to use a plural form of pronoun in referring to a singular antecedent. Note the following examples:

Somebody has left his (not their) hat here.

Let each one of us be on his (not our or their) guard.

If a fool knows a secret, he tells (not they tell) it.

Every human being has within him (not them) something eternal.

Care should also be taken to use the correct number of pronoun in referring to a collective noun or a compound expression. Note the following examples:

The jury has rendered its verdict. (The jury is thought of as a whole.)

The jury are divided in their opinion. ing the jury are thought of.)

(The individuals compos

Our secretary and treasurer has made his report. (One person acts as secretary and treasurer.)

Our secretary and our treasurer have made their reports. (The secretary and the treasurer are two persons.)

We have learned (127) that a relative pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number and person,

EXERCISE 96

Choose the proper form and give a reason for your

choice:

1. The ship lost its (her) rudder.

2. Let everybody be on his (their) guard.

3. My horse has injured itself (himself). 4. Let every one here do his (their) best.

5. The committee has made their (its) report.

6. Not one of them would express themselves (himself).

7. Every teacher should love her (his, his or her) work.

8. I urge every boy and girl here to do his (his or her, their) duty.

9. Every writer should be in sympathy with their (his, his or her) readers.

10. If one (we) could see one's self (ourselves) as others see one (us), one (we) might correct one's (our) faults.

EXERCISE 97

(Review)

(1) Make out a list of pronouns inflected for (a) person, gender, number, and case; (b) person, number, and case; (c) number only; (d) case only. Make out a list of pronouns not inflected.

(2) Explain why the italicized pronouns are of the proper gender:

1. The child hurt itself.

2. America is proud of her sons.

3. The wren sang its little song.

4. The soldier freely gave his life.

5. The cat watches her chance to spring.

6. Let every person here look out for himself.

7. The storm smote the hills with his mighty blasts.

8. Every man and woman should take an interest in his or her community.

(3) Choose the proper form and give a reason for your choice:

1. It was no fault of him (his).

2. It was not I (me) that spoke.
3. Who (whom) do you want to see?
4. This is for Charles and I (me).
5. I will ride my (mine) own horse.
6. James is proud of himself (hisself).
7. The child cried for it's (its) mother.
8. It is not for we (us) girls to decide.

9. Who (whom) do you suppose these men are? 10. Sarah and I (me and Sarah) will be there.

11. They have all returned but Henry and I (me).

12. Men like to hear themselves (theirselves) praised.

13. Nobody knows about this but he and I (him and me).

14. There were only five present besides Edward and me (myself). 15. I promise you that William and myself (I, me) will meet you there.

(4) Choose the proper relative or interrogative pronoun and give a reason for your choice:

1. Who (which) of you will go with me?

2. The boy which (whom) you see is a senior.

3. This is the same train as (that) we came on.

4. There is no one but (who) desires to be happy.

5. I do not know which (whom) of the boys is to blame.

6. There is no one that (what) believes this report.

7. I have not found out what (which) of the roads to take.

8. The men and the cattle which (that) perished were thrown overboard.

9. He is now living in London, which (that) is the capital of England.

10. William Caxton, who (that) introduced printing into England, learned the art of printing in Flanders.

(5) Write sentences to illustrate: (a) the correct use of whoever and whomever; (b) the omission of the antecedent of the relative; (c) the omission of the relative.