Download Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

English III
Ms. DeMarco
Pronouns
September 2015
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:
Pronouns take the place of nouns. Antecedents are the words that pronouns refer to. When a pronoun refers to its antecedent, it
must agree - in number and gender - with the thing to which it refers.
1.
Singular nouns or indefinite pronouns – each, either, neither, anyone, anybody, anything, everyone, everybody, everything,
someone, somebody, something, no one, nobody, and nothing - always need a singular pronoun reference.
Each of the students is required to wear his or her letter jacket.
The player was required to wear his uniform to practice.
2.
Plural nouns or indefinite pronouns - both, few, many, several - always need a plural pronoun reference.
Many students improved their scores.
The players were required to wear their uniforms to practice.
3.
Singular or plural indefinite pronouns - all, any, half, more, most, part, some – need a singular or plural pronoun reference
depending on what they refer to.
All of the furniture is in its original condition.
All of the runners have received their numbers.
4.
When two singular antecedents are joined by “or” or “nor,” use a singular pronoun.
Neither Sue nor Jane will eat her vegetables.
5.
When one singular and plural antecedent are joined by “either/or” or “neither/nor,” the pronoun agrees with the closer
antecedent. (It usually sounds better if the plural subject is the closer antecedent.)
Either the teacher or the students will get their wish.
Either the students or the teacher will get her wish.
6.
When a collective noun (a noun used to name a whole group) is the antecedent, use a singular pronoun if the group is
acting as a whole; use a plural pronoun to emphasize the individual members. Here are a few common collective nouns:
army – committee – herd – swarm – audience – crowd – jury - team – class – flock – orchestra – troop – club –
group - public
The team has been practicing its strategy. (The team is acting as a unit.)
The team were awarded their letters. (The individual members are being emphasized.)
Use words like “members” after the collective noun when the emphasis is on the individuals within the group.
The team members were awarded their letters.
Ambiguous or Vague Pronoun Reference:
There are two common kinds of vague pronoun reference. The first occurs when there is more than one word that the pronoun
might refer to; the second, when the reference is to a word that is implied but not explicitly stated.

Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged. (Is "it" the motorcycle or the tree?)

I don't think they should show violence on TV. (Who are "they"?)

Vacation is coming soon, which is nice. (What is nice, the vacation or the fact that it is coming soon?)

George worked in a national forest last summer. This may be his life's work. (What word does "this" refer to?)

If you put this sheet in your notebook, you can refer to it. (What does "it" refer to, the sheet or your notebook?)
Pronoun Case
Case refers to the way a noun or pronoun is used in a sentence. There are three cases.
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Subjective case: pronouns used as subject.
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Objective case: pronouns used as objects of verbs or prepositions.

Possessive case: pronouns which express ownership.
If there are two pronouns or a noun and a pronoun, drop the other noun, then you can see which case you want.
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Eileen and he (NOT Eileen and him) enjoy dancing.
The Harrisons and they ( NOT The Harrisons and them) are fighting over the property line
Bob and I travel a great deal. (Would you say, "me travel"?)
He gave the flowers to Jane and me. (Would you say, "he gave the flowers to I"?)
We men like the coach. (Would you say, "us like the coach"?)
Comparisons are really shorthand sentences which usually omit words. If you complete the comparison in your head, you can
choose the correct case for the pronoun. Comparisons usually follow than or as:

He is taller than I (am).

This helps you as much as (it helps) me.

She is as noisy as I (am).
Pronouns as Objects of Verbs
Use the objective case of pronouns when the pronoun is a direct or indirect object of a verb.

Gilbertson nominated me for secretary. (direct object of nominated)

The news hit them hard. (direct object of hit)

Jennifer gave him the house and car. (indirect object of gave)

Robert Chang told us and them the same incredible story. (indirect object of told)
Pronouns as Objects of Prepositions
You should also use the objective case of pronouns when the pronoun is an object of a preposition.

The man pulled a blanket over the children and us. (Object of the preposition over)

The man for whom they waited never arrived. (They waited for whom: object of the preposition for)
Subjective (Nominative)
I
You
He, She, It
We
They
Who
Objective
Me
You
Him, Her, It
Us
Them
Whom
Possessive
my, mine
your, yours
his, her, hers, its
our, ours
their, theirs
whose
PRACTICE WITH PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT and PRONOUN CASE AGREEMENT
Choose the correct pronoun for each of the following sentences:
1.
Neither Mary nor Laura has turned in (her, their) report.
2.
Anybody can learn to set up (his, their) own tent.
3.
Each of the boys takes care of (his, their) own room.
4.
Neither Tom nor Jim can give (his, their) report today.
5.
Anyone can join our group if (he, they) is really interested.
6.
The team can't play (its, their) best when it's too hot.
7.
Either Bill or Tony will lend you (his, their) book.
8.
Everyone should do (his, their) best work on the project.
9.
George wants to go into politics; he finds (it, them) exciting.
10. Everyone should be in (his, their) seat before the curtain goes up.
11. Some of the team are wearing (his, their) new helmets.
12. Every class officer will do (her, their) best.
13. I find that playing bridge is hard on (my, your) nerves.
14. Some of the vanilla has lost (its, their) flavor.
15. Everybody will receive (his, their) scores in the mail.
16. Someone will be disappointed by (his, their) grade on the exam.
17. One should not worry too much about (his, their) past mistakes.
18. Each of us is prepared to give (his, their) speech on Thursday.
19. Has anyone lost (her, their) jacket?
20. Nobody plays (his, their) best when the humidity is very high.