The question focuses on the correct use of subject and object personal pronouns, the importance of clear antecedents, and proper punctuation in high school-level English grammar and composition.
Understanding the distinction between subject personal pronouns and object personal pronouns is essential for correct grammar use. For instance, subject personal pronouns perform the action in a sentence (e.g., he, she, they), while object personal pronouns receive the action (e.g., him, her, them). When replacing nouns with pronouns, the replacement must be clear and unambiguous, maintaining a clear antecedent. Examples of correct pronoun usage include:
All nine members of the school board voted in favor. They explained their reasoning during the meeting. ('They' clearly refers to 'members of the school board'.)
Everybody has an opinion. ('Everybody' can be replaced with a singular pronoun such as 'he or she' if gender specificity is needed, or 'they' for a gender-neutral approach.)
Correct punctuation usage is also critical in crafting clear, professional sentences. Inserting or omitting punctuation like apostrophes and commas can change the meaning of a sentence. For example:
- One's labor is proportional to one's wealth. (correct placement of the apostrophe in 'one's')
- I finally found my keys, and I got to work just in time. (inserting a comma after 'keys')
By adhering to these principles detailed in Chapter 20, you are able to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
The complete question is probably:
Which personal pronouns should be used to replace the words in bold in the given text?