Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Make sure your sentences use pronouns correctly

Does the pronoun agree with its antecedent?

The antecedent is the noun or pronoun for which a pronoun stands.

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender

Singular male: Josh lived in Japan three years while he taught English.

Singular female: Nariko met Josh at the school where she taught classes.

Plural pronouns indicate number but not gender

Waves in the water reflected sunlight from their surfaces.

Remember, avoid sexist language by using proper pronouns

Instead of: Each student should write his name on the test book. Write: Each student should write his or her name on the test book.

Or better yet

Simply re-word the sentence

Students should write their names on the test books. A students name should be written on the test book.