Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun: Word that takes the place of a noun

Antecedent: Noun to which the pronoun is referring (original noun)

Ex: Mary (A) is happy; she (P) just finished all of her homework.

The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in three ways:

1. Person: First (I), Second (You), or Third person (He)

Mistake: A person (A) must be careful about whom he (P) tells his secrets to. You (P) never want to put yourself (P) in a position of weakness.

2. Gender: Masculine (He; Him), Feminine (She; Her); Neuter (It)

· Who: Refers to people

· That/Which: Refers to things or ideas

Mistake: The snake (A) moved down the path; he (P) was fast.

Mistake: The man (A), that (P) was angry, left.

3. Number: Singular or Plural

*Singular antecedents get singular pronouns; plural get plural

Mistake: That driver (A) just cut me off; they (P) should get a ticket!

Mistake: A person (A) who tells lies eventually gets caught. Then, they (P) have to deal with the consequences.

Pronoun-Antecedent Number Agreement Rules:

1. Use a singular pronoun to refer to a singular indefinite antecedent: anybody, each, either, everybody, everyone, nobody, one, someone

Each of the children got (his/her, their) things ready.

Everyone is responsible for (themselves, him/herself).

2. Use a plural pronoun to refer to a plural indefinite antecedent:

Few, several, many

Few of the students forgot (their, his/her) homework.

3. The indefinite pronouns “all,” “any,” “none,” and “some” do not clearly express singular or plural. Agreement depends on meaning:

All of the apples are rotten. Throw (it, them) away.

All of the apple is good. Use (it, them) in the pie.

4. Two or more antecedents take a plural pronoun

Joan and Chris picked up (his, their) kids after school.

5. Alternative antecedents—joined by or, nor, either/or, not only/but also—require a pronoun that agrees with the nearer antecedent

Neither the kids nor the guide brought (their, his) cameras.

6. When the antecedent is a collective noun, pronoun agreement depends on whether the antecedent is acting as a unit (singular) or individually (plural).

The jury has reached (their, its) decision.

7. The words “each” and “every” before an antecedent make it singular.

Each of the children brought (their, his/her) lunch.

Every man and woman must get (themselves, him/herself) home.