π Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-antecedent agreement simply means that a pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) with the noun it refers to. The noun that the pronoun refers to is called the antecedent. Ensuring proper agreement makes your writing clear and avoids confusion.
π A Brief History
The rules governing pronoun-antecedent agreement have evolved over centuries alongside the development of the English language. Early grammarians emphasized strict adherence to Latin-based grammatical structures, which heavily influenced pronoun usage. Over time, some rules have become more flexible to accommodate natural speech patterns and inclusivity. For example, singular 'they' is now widely accepted when referring to a person whose gender is unknown or non-binary.
π Key Principles of Agreement
- π’ Number: If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. For example: The dog wagged its tail. (singular) vs. The dogs wagged their tails. (plural)
- π» Gender: The pronoun must match the gender of the antecedent (masculine, feminine, or neuter). For example: John likes his car. (masculine) vs. Mary likes her car. (feminine) vs. The table is sturdy; it is made of oak. (neuter)
- π Clarity: Ensure the pronoun clearly refers to only one antecedent. Avoid ambiguity by restructuring sentences if necessary.
- π€ Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individual members. For example: The team played its best game. (single unit) vs. The team are arguing among themselves. (individual members)
- β Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody) can be tricky. Traditionally, singular indefinite pronouns took singular pronouns. However, using 'they' as a singular pronoun is becoming more common and accepted. For example: Everyone should bring their (or his/her) own lunch.
- π Compound Antecedents: Compound antecedents joined by 'and' usually take a plural pronoun. For example: John and Mary went to their favorite restaurant. However, if the compound antecedent refers to one person or thing, use a singular pronoun. For example: My friend and colleague has finished his presentation.
- β Antecedents joined by 'or' or 'nor': When antecedents are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it. For example: Either the manager or the employees will get their bonus today.
π Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples to illustrate these principles:
| Incorrect |
Correct |
Explanation |
| The student should bring their book. |
The student should bring his or her book. OR Students should bring their books. |
'Student' is singular, so the pronoun should also be singular. |
| Each of the girls wants their own doll. |
Each of the girls wants her own doll. |
'Each' is singular, so the pronoun must be singular. |
| The company announced they were having record profits. |
The company announced it was having record profits. |
'Company' is singular, so the pronoun should be singular. |
π Practice Quiz
Choose the correct pronoun in each sentence:
- Everyone should do (his/her/their) best.
- Neither John nor Mary has finished (his/her/their) work.
- The dog wagged (its/it's) tail happily.
- The students said (he/she/they) were ready for the test.
- Each of the boys brought (his/their) own lunch.
Answers: 1. his/her or their (increasingly accepted), 2. her, 3. its, 4. they, 5. his
β
Conclusion
Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing. By understanding the key principles and practicing regularly, you can ensure that your pronouns always agree with their antecedents, leading to more effective communication.