PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT RULES

CHESNA/JOHNSON 2018
WHAT IS A PRONOUN?

 A pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun.

 Pronouns refer to either a noun that has already been
mentioned or to a noun that does not need to be named
specifically.
o He o Us
o She o Them
 Examples of pronouns:
o It o Anyone
o They o Each
WHAT IS AN ANTECEDENT?

 An antecedent is the noun to which another pronoun refers.

 Examples of antecedents (basically any noun):

• Robert • Classmates
• Jennifer • Clowns
• Dog • Person
• Lawyers • Book
GENERAL RULE:

 A personal pronoun MUST agree with its antecedent in number,

gender, and person.

 Example:
 Susie joined her family on the annual vacation.
 Ruben visited his mother for dinner.
RULE #1

 He, his, and him refer to masculine antecedents; she, her and hers to
feminine ones; it and its are neutral but cannot refer to people. To avoid
sexist language when referring to an antecedent that can include either
males or females, use his or her.
 Example:
 Brett went to his sister’s restaurant.
 Lucy visited her brother.
 Each diver should bring his or her own equipment.
RULE #2

 Subjects joined by and form a compound subject and require a

plural noun.

 Example:
 John and Julie went their separate ways.
RULE #3

 When two singular antecedents are joined by or or nor, use a

singular pronoun.

 Example:
 Neither Sue nor Jane will eat her vegetables.
RULE #4

 The following words are indefinite pronouns and are always

singular.
o Another o Each o Everything o No one
o Anybody o Either o Neither o Somebody
o Anyone o Everyone o Nobody o Someone

 Example:
 Each of the students is required to wear his or her jacket.
RULE #5

 The following words are indefinite pronouns and are always

plural.
o Both o Few o Many o Several

 Example:
 Many students improved their scores by studying.
RULE #6

 The following words are indefinite pronouns can be plural or

singular depending on the word it describes.
o All o Half o Most o Some
o Any o More o Part
 Example:
 All the furniture is in its original condition.
(Singular Noun)

 All the runners have received their numbers.

(Plural Noun)
RULE #7

 When one singular and plural antecedent are joined by or,

either/or, or neither/nor, the pronoun agrees with the closer
antecedent.

 Example:
 Either the teacher or the students will get their wish.
(Plural Noun) (Plural)

 Either the students or the teacher will get her wish.

(Singular Noun) (Singular)
RULE #8

 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.
o Army o Class o Group
o Audience o Club o Team

 Example:
 The team has been practicing its strategy. (Acting as a unit)
 The team were awarded their letters. (Individuals emphasized)