Download PRONOUN AGREEMENT

PRONOUN AGREEMENT AND REFERENCE
Just as nouns have number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), so
pronouns have number and gender. In standard English, a pronoun must agree with its antecedent
(i.e., the noun or pronoun to which it refers) in both number and gender. Examples: Sam brings his
dog to all of the football games. The pronoun his agrees with Sam, a noun that is masculine and
singular. The students are working on the projects that they were assigned. The pronoun they agrees
with the plural noun students, which includes both genders.
Likewise, the verb must agree with the pronoun subject in number (singular or plural). Examples:
They care about the cause. The plural verb care (i.e., plural verbs in the present tense do not end in
s) agrees with the plural They. The wise one is prepared. The singular verb is (i.e., singular verbs in
the present tense end in s) agrees with the singular one.
There are some aspects to this general rule that need special attention.
1. The antecedents each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone,
anybody, someone, and somebody are referenced by the singular pronouns he, him, his, she,
her, hers, it, its. (Note: One easy way to remember this list is as follows: Any antecedent or
subject that has one or body in the word is considered singular. When used as subjects,
these pronouns take singular verbs to agree with them. Examples: Any concerned citizen is
to submit his or her complaint. (Note: Regarding this example and others like it, one may
substitute his or her for his. However, repeated use of this on one page can be a distraction,
so in such repeated instances, change the antecedents to plural to avoid the problem:
Concerned citizens are to submit their complaints.) Everybody is to bring his book to class.
Neither of the houses has lost its value.
2. Two or more singular antecedents joined by and should be referred by a plural pronoun.
When used as subjects, they take plural verbs. Examples: If Jerry and Susan call, tell them I
will call back. Jolene, Sally, and Bob are to leave their papers with the teacher. However,
when two or more singular antecedents are connected by or or nor, use a singular pronoun
reference. Also, when used as subjects in this way, they take a singular verb. Examples:
Neither Steve nor Johnny has his student identification card. Inside the room sits either Tom
or his sisters.
3. Collective nouns (i.e., team, jury, audience, class) are tricky. If the group is working
together, in unison, use a singular verb to agree with it and a singular pronoun to refer to it:
The jury is rendering its verdict now. If the group members are working separately or
against one another, use a plural verb to agree with it and a plural pronoun to refer to it:
The jury are arguing their opinions on the issue.
4. Be careful to use clear reference to the antecedent. Vague: Jerry smiled at Mr. Jackson when
he won the trophy. Which man does the he reference? Better: When Jerry won the trophy, he
smiled at Mr. Jackson. Vague: After the children wrapped the gifts, Mrs. Jones sent them off.
Did Mrs. Jones send the children or the gifts? Better: Mrs. Jones sent off the gifts that the
children had wrapped. Vague: My neighbor renovated his house, but it took time. (“It” has no
clear antecedent.) Better: My neighbor renovated his house, but the renovation took time OR
My neighbor’s house renovation took time.
*Circle the correct pronoun or verb in the following sentences.
1. Each student (is, are) to prepare (his, their) own project plan.
2. The team (was, were) disagreeing about (his, their) individual responsibilities on the
field.
3. Either of the arguments can stand on (its, their) own merit.
4. Both the boys and the girls (was, were) busy working on (his or her, their) assignments.
5. Someone left (his or her, their) books in my room.
6. Neither Carlene nor Jess (is, are) allowed to submit (her, their) credentials before next
Monday.
7. Each of the girls took (their, her) gear with (them, her).
8. No one on the men’s or women’s teams (seems, seem) to care about picking up (his or
her, their) applications in time.
9. All committee members (writes, write) (his or her, their) own reports.
10. Each one of the new textbooks (seems, seem) to have (its, their) own unique number on
the inside front cover.
The following two sentences have vague pronoun references. Rewrite them for more
clarity.
11. When Beverly brought Cathy to the conference, we asked her for her credentials.
12. When the van hit the wall in the front of the building, it was barely damaged.
13. He believes in his abilities as a writer, and this helps him in his self-confidence.