Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
###
Pronoun-antecedent agreement ensures that pronouns agree in number, gender, and person with the nouns (antecedents) they refer to. It’s crucial for clarity and coherence in writing.
### Basic Rules
1. **Singular antecedents take singular pronouns.**
– **Example:**
– The **student** lost **her** laptop.
2. **Plural antecedents take plural pronouns.**
– **Example:**
– The **students** lost **their** laptops.
### Advanced Rules and Considerations
#### 1. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns can be tricky. Here’s how to handle them:
– **Always singular**: anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, someone, etc.
– **Example:**
– **Everybody** should bring **his or her** own lunch.
– **Always plural**: both, few, many, several.
– **Example:**
– **Many** forgot **their** keys.
– **Singular or plural depending on context**: all, any, more, most, none, some.
– **Example:**
– **All** of the cake is missing its frosting.
– **All** of the students forgot **their** assignments.
#### 2. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as a unit or as individuals.
– **Example as singular:**
– The **team** won **its** game.
– **Example as plural:**
– The **team** are arguing among **themselves**.
#### 3. Compound Antecedents
When joined by **and**, the pronoun will be plural. When joined by **or** or **nor**, the pronoun agrees with the nearest antecedent.
– **Example with “and”:**
– **John and Mary** said they lost **their** tickets.
– **Example with “or/nor”:**
– Neither **John nor Mary** has finished **his or her** homework.
– Either **the manager or the employees** will present **their** report.
#### 4. Gender-Neutral Pronouns
In informal contexts, “they” is increasingly used as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun.
– **Example:**
– Every **student** should bring **their** laptop.
Though traditional grammarians may prefer “his or her,” “they” is widely accepted in modern usage to avoid gender bias.
#### 5. Titles and Singular Nouns with Plural Meanings
A title or singular noun that appears plural in structure but refers to a single entity takes a singular pronoun.
– **Example:**
– The **United Nations** held **its** annual meeting.
#### Examples
**Correct Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:**
1. Each of the **committee members** gave **his or her** opinion.
2. The **jury** reached **its** verdict.
3. Some of the **pie** has lost **its** flavor.
4. Everyone in the hockey **team** must bring **their** own gear.
5. Neither the **teacher nor the students** brought **their** textbooks.
**Incorrect Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:**
1. Each of the **committee members** gave **their** opinion. (Should be “his or her” or “their” if gender-neutral usage is observed.)
2. The **jury** reached **their** verdict. (Should be “its.”)
3. Some of the **pie** have lost **their** flavor. (Should be “has” and “its.”)
4. Everyone in the hockey **team** must bring **his** own gear. (Avoid gender bias, prefer “their.”)
By following these rules and guidelines, you can ensure that your pronoun-antecedent relationships are clear and grammatically correct.
