๐ง Quick Study Guide: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- ๐ฏ Definition: A pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it refers to) in number (singular/plural), gender (masculine/feminine/neuter), and person (first, second, third).
- ๐ข Number Agreement: Singular antecedents take singular pronouns; plural antecedents take plural pronouns. For example: The student finished his homework. (Singular) The students finished their homework. (Plural)
- ๐ป Gender Agreement: Use gender-specific pronouns (he/him/his, she/her/hers) when the gender of the antecedent is known. Use 'it' or 'its' for inanimate objects or animals of unknown gender.
- ๐ง Indefinite Pronouns:
- โจ Singular Indefinite Pronouns: (e.g., *each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody*) always take singular pronouns. Example: Each of the students brought his or her book.
- ๐ซ Plural Indefinite Pronouns: (e.g., *several, few, both, many*) always take plural pronouns. Example: Several of the athletes ran their fastest race.
- ๐ Pronouns that can be singular or plural: (e.g., *some, all, most, any, none*) depend on the object of the prepositional phrase that follows them. Example: Some of the pie was eaten; it was delicious. Some of the cookies were eaten; they were delicious.
- ๐ค Compound Antecedents:
- โ When two or more singular antecedents are joined by 'and', use a plural pronoun. Example: John and Mary submitted their reports.
- โ๏ธ When two or more singular antecedents are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it. Example: Neither the coach nor the players forgot their uniforms. (closest is 'players' - plural)
- ๐ฅ Collective Nouns: (e.g., *team, committee, family, group*) can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals.
- ๐ค Unit: The team celebrated its victory.
- ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ถโโ๏ธ Individuals: The team put on their uniforms.
- โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes: Avoid using 'they' or 'their' as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun unless specifically allowed by style guides for known non-binary individuals. Often, rewording the sentence or using "he or she" (though sometimes clunky) or making the antecedent plural is better.
๐ Practice Quiz: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
-
The committee finally made ________ decision.
A) its
B) their
C) it's
D) they're
-
Each of the students must bring ________ own lunch.
A) their
B) his or her
C) its
D) his
-
Neither the principal nor the teachers forgot ________ responsibilities.
A) his
B) her
C) their
D) its
-
Many of the trees lost ________ leaves during the storm.
A) it's
B) its
C) their
D) there
-
Someone left ________ jacket in the classroom.
A) their
B) its
C) his or her
D) our
-
The company announced ________ new policy today.
A) their
B) its
C) it's
D) them
-
Both of the puppies wagged ________ tails excitedly.
A) its
B) his or her
C) their
D) there
Click to see Answers
1. A) its (The committee acts as a single unit.)
2. B) his or her ('Each' is singular. While 'his' could be argued as generic, 'his or her' is explicitly correct for gender neutrality.)
3. C) their (When antecedents are joined by 'nor', the pronoun agrees with the closer antecedent, 'teachers' which is plural.)
4. C) their ('Many' is a plural indefinite pronoun, referring to 'trees'.)
5. C) his or her ('Someone' is a singular indefinite pronoun. 'His or her' is the most grammatically correct singular, gender-neutral option.)
6. B) its (A company acts as a single unit.)
7. C) their ('Both' is a plural indefinite pronoun.)